Head of Finance - Creme Castle

# Head of Finance | Creme Castle ## Company Overview Creme Castle is a rapidly scaling D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) food and bakery business operating through a **central-kitchen and dark-store model**. The company currently manages **45 dark stores across North India**, supported by a central kitchen in Noida serving a radius of approximately 500 km. Over the past 2.5 years, the business has experienced significant growth, scaling from ₹80 Lakhs/month to approximately **₹7.7 Crores/month in revenue**, while maintaining profitability. With a strong growth trajectory, Creme Castle is preparing for its next phase of expansion, including a **₹40 Crores fundraise** and the launch of additional central kitchens in Bangalore, Mumbai, and West India. The long-term vision is to scale the business to **₹600–650 Crores in revenue over the next 4–5 years**. ## Job Summary The **Head of Finance** at Creme Castle will serve as a **CFO-track professional** responsible for leading and building a robust, scalable finance organization. This role involves overseeing financial planning, controllership, cash flow management, strategic finance, and team development. The successful candidate will work closely with the founders and senior leadership to enable rapid growth, ensure financial discipline, and support strategic initiatives, including fundraising and geographic expansion. ## Responsibilities - **Financial Planning & Business Finance** - Own budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes. - Develop and monitor key **business and financial KPIs** such as revenue, gross margins, contribution margins, unit economics, and profitability. - Collaborate with business and operations teams to facilitate data-driven decision-making. - Build financial models and scenario analyses to support expansion and strategic initiatives. - Provide regular MIS and management reports to founders and senior leadership. - Identify cost drivers and opportunities for improving operational efficiency and profitability. - **Financial Controllership** - Lead accounting and financial control functions. - Ensure timely and accurate monthly and annual financial closures. - Strengthen accounting processes, internal controls, and financial governance. - Oversee statutory, tax, and regulatory compliance. - Coordinate with auditors, consultants, and external stakeholders. - Establish scalable finance processes aligned with organizational growth. - **Cash Flow & Working Capital Management** - Drive cash flow planning and working capital optimization. - Monitor receivables, payables, inventory, and other working capital metrics. - Manage treasury functions and liquidity. - Support the business in maintaining healthy cash flows during rapid expansion. - **Fundraising & Strategic Finance** - Assist founders in upcoming fundraising efforts. - Prepare financial models, investor MIS, and business performance reports. - Engage with investors and external advisors. - Evaluate new markets, central kitchens, dark-store expansion, and other strategic initiatives. - **Team & Function Building** - Lead and mentor the existing finance team. - Build a high-performing finance organization aligned with growth plans. - Implement systems, processes, controls, and reporting mechanisms. - Transition the finance function from transactional to strategic business partner. ## Qualifications - **6–8 years of relevant experience** in high-growth D2C, consumer, retail, or consumer-tech businesses. - **Chartered Accountant (CA)** qualification preferred. - Strong exposure to **Business Finance / FP&A** and **Financial Controllership**. - Demonstrated experience in building processes and taking ownership beyond routine reporting. - Deep understanding of **retail/D2C economics, margins, working capital, and operating metrics**. - Strong analytical, numerical, and commercially oriented skills. - Proven ability to work closely with founders and senior stakeholders. - Experience managing and developing finance teams. - Educational qualifications: CA preferred, but relevant postgraduate degrees in finance or accounting are advantageous. ## Preferred Skills - Experience in startup or rapidly scaling organizations. - Ability to develop financial models and scenario analyses. - Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. - Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in India. - Experience with fundraising processes and investor relations. - Familiarity with ERP systems and financial reporting tools. ## Experience - **6–8 years** of relevant experience, ideally in high-growth environments such as D2C, consumer, retail, or consumer-tech sectors. - Proven track record of building and leading finance functions in scaling organizations. - Experience working in a startup, funded, or rapidly expanding company. ## Environment - The role is based in **Noida** with a focus on managing a team and collaborating with founders and senior leadership. - The work environment is fast-paced, dynamic, and growth-oriented. - The position involves strategic planning, financial analysis, and process development to support rapid expansion. ## Salary - **Up to ₹45 LPA Fixed** + **ESOPs** for exceptional candidates. ## GrowthOpportunities - The role offers a **CFO-track career path** with significant ownership and leadership responsibilities. - Opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a high-growth business. - Potential for further leadership roles as the company scales and expands into new markets. ## Benefits - Competitive compensation package. - ESOP participation for outstanding performers. - Opportunity to work closely with founders and influence strategic decisions. - Career growth in a rapidly expanding organization.