Finance Controller
Emerson
Accounting & Finance
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Finance Controller
Job Summary
As the site finance leader for AFTC, this role is fully accountable for all plant financial operations, with a core focus on driving plant profitability and operational excellence through rigorous cost control, accurate and compliant financial reporting, and proactive business analysis. You will ensure strict adherence to global corporate policies, PRC GAAP and US GAAP, and act as a strategic business partner to the Vice President, MSOL AP Flow Operations, providing critical financial insights to support and influence key business decisions across the plant.
In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:
Financial Control, Governance & Global Compliance
Establish and oversee a robust global financial governance framework to align all plant financial activities with Emerson Group policies and ensure compliance with PRC GAAP and US GAAP.
Lead the end-to-end monthly/quarterly/annual financial closing process for the plant, delivering accurate and timely financial reporting to support group consolidation.
Design and implement plant-level internal control procedures covering procurement, production, inventory, and sales cycles; conduct regular control testing to mitigate financial risks.
Coordinate with internal and external auditors for plant-level audit activities, provide complete documentation and ensure smooth and efficient audit completion.
Cost Control & Operational Finance
Develop and maintain the plant’s standard cost system, monitor variances between actual and standard costs, and drive cost optimization initiatives in collaboration with production teams.
Oversee full-cycle inventory management, including physical inventory counts, valuation, turnover analysis, and identification and disposal of obsolete inventory.
Manage the plant’s capital expenditure (Capex) process, including investment proposal evaluation, budget control and post-investment ROI analysis to ensure optimal capital utilization.
Analyze production efficiency metrics (e.g., capacity utilization, unit production cost) and deliver actionable financial insights to support operational decision-making.
Tax, Statutory Compliance & Government Relations
Manage all plant tax compliance activities, including VAT, corporate income tax and other statutory tax filings, ensuring strict adherence to PRC tax regulations.
Collaborate with the group tax team to optimize the plant’s tax position and implement legal tax planning strategies within the regulatory framework.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with local tax authorities; coordinate with customs and other regulatory bodies on all compliance-related matters.
Prepare and submit plant-level statutory financial statements and other required regulatory reports in a timely manner.
Serve as the plant’s key liaison with local government authorities, coordinate internal resources to respond to government inspections, surveys and official communications in a compliant and timely way.
Business Partnering, Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Act as a strategic financial business partner to the Vice President, MSOL AP Flow Operations and all plant department heads, providing critical financial insights to support key business decisions.
Lead the plant’s annual budgeting process and monthly forecast (POR) cycle, ensuring full alignment with group financial targets and business objectives.
Conduct detailed variance analysis between actual financial results, budget and forecast; identify core performance drivers and recommend targeted corrective actions.
Prepare regular plant management reports focused on operational KPIs, profitability trends and overall financial performance.
Support new product introduction, production line expansion and other key business initiatives with comprehensive financial feasibility analysis.
Operational Excellence, Process & Systems
Drive financial process optimization initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and data accuracy (e.g., streamline AP/AR processes, improve cost accounting workflows).
Oversee the effective utilization of ERP systems (preferably Oracle) and other financial tools at the plant level, coordinate system upgrades, maintenance and user training.
Lead continuous improvement projects within the finance function to reduce manual work, eliminate bottlenecks processes and improve overall efficiency.
Ensure the integrity of all plant financial data and develop in-house data analytics capabilities to enable more informed business decision-making.
Team Leadership & Development
Build, lead and develop a high-performing plant finance team; set clear individual and team performance objectives and provide regular constructive feedback.
Design and implement targeted training and development plans to enhance team members’ professional skills (e.g., cost accounting, financial analysis, ERP operations).
Foster a culture of accountability, cross-team collaboration and continuous learning within the finance function.
Establish robust succession planning for key finance positions to ensure organizational continuity and talent pipeline stability.
Cross Department Collaboration
Collaborate closely with production, procurement, supply chain and sales teams to align financial and operational objectives across the plant.
Provide financial guidance and training to non-finance departments on budget management, cost control and financial compliance requirements.
Participate as the financial representative in cross-functional projects (e.g., lean manufacturing initiatives, new product introduction).
Ensure the finance function actively supports plant-wide operational goals through effective communication and collaborative problem-solving.
Trade Compliance Oversight
Conduct compliance reviews of all plant import and export transactions to ensure adherence to the laws and regulations of relevant trading countries, mitigating compliance risks throughout the entire trade process.
Monitor changes in international trade laws and regulations impacting plant operations, promptly report updates to relevant departments and senior management, and adjust internal business processes accordingly.
Establish and maintain formal trade compliance processes and provide regular trade compliance training to relevant departments and personnel.
Establish and maintain intellectual property (IP) management processes and conduct regular internal reviews of IP management practices to ensure compliance and protection.
Who You Are:
You are a strategic and results-driven finance leader with a proven track record of leading end-to-end financial operations in a multinational manufacturing environment. You excel at balancing rigorous financial control, global compliance and proactive business partnering, and have the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. As a people-centric manager, you build and develop high-performing finance teams, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and drive cross-departmental collaboration to align financial and operational goals. You are detail-oriented, adaptable, and possess exceptional communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels—including local government authorities, global team members and non-financial department heads. You thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing setting and are committed to driving profitability and operational excellence through data-driven financial management.
For This Role, You Will Need:
Education
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related field.
Professional Experience
Minimum 15 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 8 years in a manufacturing environment within a multinational corporation.
Demonstrated track record of leading a finance function at the department head level or equivalent senior leadership role.
At least 8 years of proven people management experience, with the ability to build, develop and lead high-performing finance teams.
Hands-on expertise in cost accounting, PRC GAAP and US GAAP compliance, tax planning & compliance, and internal/external audit coordination.
Technical & Core Skills
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, with hands-on experience in Oracle preferred.
High competence in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel, PowerPoint) for financial analysis, reporting and stakeholder presentations.
Strong experience with integrated business systems and financial modules, with a focus on process optimization and financial data integrity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Chinese, with the ability to clearly articulate complex financial information to financial and non-financial stakeholders.
Proven ability to deliver effective financial presentations to senior management and key internal/external stakeholders.
Deep understanding of PRC tax regulations, international trade compliance and statutory financial reporting requirements in China.
Business Insight
Financial Acumen
Drives Results
Balances Stakeholders
Collaborates
Builds Effective Teams
Preferred Qualifications that Set You Apart:
Our Culture & Commitment to You
At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.
We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing. We prioritize providing flexible, competitive benefits plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave.
Our Commitment to Our People
At Emerson, we are motivated by a spirit of collaboration that helps our diverse, multicultural teams across the world drive innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable. And we want you to join us in our bold aspiration.
We have built an engaged community of inquisitive, dedicated people who thrive knowing they are welcomed, trusted, celebrated, and empowered to solve the world’s most complex problems — for our customers, our communities, and the planet. You’ll contribute to this vital work while further developing your skills through our award-winning employee development programs. We are a proud corporate citizen in every city where we operate and are committed to our people, our communities, and the world at large. We take this responsibility seriously and strive to make a positive impact through every endeavor.
At Emerson, you’ll see firsthand that our people are at the center of everything we do. So, let’s go. Let’s think differently. Learn, collaborate, and grow. Seek opportunity. Push boundaries. Be empowered to make things better. Speed up to break through. Let’s go, together.
Emerson is a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries like life sciences, energy, power and renewables, chemical and advanced factory automation operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security and reliability.
With global operations and a comprehensive portfolio of software and technology, we are helping companies implement digital transformation to measurably improve their operations, conserve valuable resources and enhance their safety.
We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries. Whether you’re an established professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring possibilities, or a recent graduate with an advanced degree, you’ll find your chance to make a difference with Emerson. Join our team – let’s go!
As the site finance leader for AFTC, this role is fully accountable for all plant financial operations, with a core focus on driving plant profitability and operational excellence through rigorous cost control, accurate and compliant financial reporting, and proactive business analysis. You will ensure strict adherence to global corporate policies, PRC GAAP and US GAAP, and act as a strategic business partner to the Vice President, MSOL AP Flow Operations, providing critical financial insights to support and influence key business decisions across the plant.