Shankar Jha

Strategic Finance & Commercial Leader with 30+ years of diversified experience across Chemical, Textile, Flat Steel, and Steel Pipes & Plastic and Packaging products manufacturing sectors, driving financial transformation, business turnaround, capital optimization & enterprise-wide profitability improvement for large-scale manufacturing organizations.

Vice President – Finance & Commercial - Chiripal Polyfilms Limited

(2024-01)

Leading finance and commercial operations with focus on strategic financial planning, cost optimization, working capital management, and SAP transformation.

• Architected enterprise-wide financial strategies, annual budgets, long-term plans, and rolling forecasts aligned with organizational growth objectives and profitability targets.
• Spearheaded cost reduction initiatives across raw materials, packaging, manufacturing, logistics, and operations, improving unit economics and strengthening overall profitability.
• Optimized cash flow, working capital, banking operations, and fund deployment through data-driven financial controls, ensuring strong liquidity and financial stability.
• Developed robust MIS frameworks, financial dashboards, and consolidated reporting systems to support executive decision-making, margin analysis, and performance monitoring.
• Led implementation and enhancement of SAP modules (FICO, SD, MM, PP), improving financial accuracy, accelerating month-end closures, and reducing forecasting variances.
• Directed statutory/internal audits and ensured 100% compliance with GST, TDS, PF, Customs, Labor Laws, and corporate governance standards while mitigating financial and operational risks.
• Evaluated CAPEX proposals, acquisitions, joint ventures, and investment opportunities while facilitating plant expansion through successful regulatory approvals and land clearances.
• Restructured procurement and inventory management processes for stores, spares, and WIP, improving stock turnover, reducing dead inventory, and unlocking working capital efficiencies.
• Strengthened relationships with regulatory authorities, railway departments, CHAs, and government bodies to secure permits, optimize freight logistics, and streamline import/export operations.
• Mentored high-performing finance and commercial teams, institutionalized SOPs, strengthened approval matrices, and fostered a culture of transparency, accountability, audit readiness, and continuous improvement.

Vice President – Finance & Accounts - Surya Roshni Limited

(2018-02 - 2023-12)

Managed end-to-end finance and accounting operations for a large steel pipe manufacturing unit with focus on financial reporting, cost optimization, and compliance.

• Managed end-to-end finance and accounting operations for a large steel pipe manufacturing unit, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with IFRS and GAAP standards.
• Reduced operational costs by 5% (₹1.25 Cr annual savings) through enhanced financial controls, vendor negotiations, and optimized banking and treasury operations.
• Streamlined direct and indirect tax processes, handled Income Tax/GST assessments and appeals, and ensured seamless statutory compliance with minimal financial exposure.
• Coordinated import/export operations, freight negotiations, insurance portfolio management, and government liaison activities to strengthen operational efficiency and mitigate business risks.
• Utilized ERP and SAP modules (FICO, SD, MM, PP) to automate FP&A processes, improve forecasting accuracy by 22%, and accelerate month-end financial closures.

General Manager – Accounts & Finance - Indian Steel Corporation Ltd.

(2010-09 - 2018-01)

Strengthened accounting, finance, cost control, and internal audit functions, leading finance transformation and commercial operations for steel manufacturing expansion.

• Strengthened Accounts, Finance, Cost Control, Internal Audit, MIS, and Budgeting functions, ensuring 100% compliance, timely financial reporting, and a 15% improvement in operational efficiency and profitability.
• Led long-term financial planning and investment strategies aligned with a 5-year corporate growth roadmap, delivering targeted ROI and supporting sustainable expansion.
• Spearheaded financial and commercial oversight for installation of new 6HI and CGL mills, increasing production capacity of existing units by 35%.
• Managed direct taxation, regulatory representations, customs coordination, freight negotiations, and insurance portfolios, reducing landed costs by 8–10% while ensuring strong compliance and risk mitigation.
• Optimized ERP systems and led implementation of SAP modules (FICO, SD, MM, PP), improving operational integration, financial controls, and enterprise-wide process efficiency.

General Manager – Accounts & Finance - Sangam India Limited

(2007-05 - 2010-08)

Managed treasury, banking, working capital optimization, budgeting, and financial reporting across 12 cost centers.

• Accelerated fund management aligned with cash flow planning, improving liquidity, reducing working capital costs, and strengthening banking relationships to secure enhanced credit facilities and limit extensions.
• Led budgeting and forecasting across 12 cost centers, oversaw quarterly and annual balance sheet finalization, and coordinated with government authorities to secure timely tax and duty refunds.

Senior Manager – Accounts & Finance - Chiripal Industries Ltd.

(2003-07 - 2007-05)

Directed financial reporting and audit management for four business divisions, managed banking relationships, and supported ERP implementation.

• Directed finalization of Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss accounts for four business divisions in coordination with statutory auditors, ensuring accurate financial reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Managed renewal of banking limits and strengthened lender relationships to optimize credit facilities and reduce interest costs, while improving cash flow through DSO reduction and supporting successful ERP implementation.

Finance & Costing Manager - Nirma Limited

(2001-05 - 2003-06)

Managed treasury, working capital, banking, budgeting, and cost control across multiple cost centers.

• Directed fund management aligned with sales targets, optimized liquidity, reduced working capital requirements & managed renewal of banking limits & credit facilities through effective coordination with financial institutions.
• Prepared and monitored monthly/annual budgets across cost centers, conducted product cost estimations, implemented cost-control initiatives, and performed variance analysis to improve profitability and operational margins.

Senior Executive – Accounts - Claris Lifescience Ltd.

(1995-07 - 2001-04)

Supervised general ledger, subsidiary ledgers, and financial control management with focus on audit readiness and compliance excellence.

• Supervised General Ledger, subsidiary ledgers, journal vouchers, debit/credit notes, and bank reconciliations, ensuring accurate accounting records, timely month-end closures, and strong financial governance.
• Conducted detailed account scrutiny and maintained audit-ready documentation, supporting seamless statutory audits with zero major observations while strengthening internal controls and financial integrity.

Master of Science - Physics - Lalit Narayan Mithila University (1991) Darbhanga

ICWA - Cost and Management Accounting - The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (1996) Kolkata