Watts Water Technologies

The Financial Controller is responsible for overseeing the full spectrum of financial management, reporting, forecasting, and compliance for Apex, ensuring alignment with Watts Group requirements. This role includes managing month-end close, statutory reporting, tax compliance, and internal/external audits, while implementing robust internal controls, including SOX compliance where applicable.

A key focus is on financial analysis to support business growth, profitability, and cost management, particularly within manufacturing processes. The Financial Controller will also lead continuous improvement initiatives across financial systems and processes, and act as a strategic partner to senior leadership.

In addition to financial responsibilities, this role provides leadership and development to the New Zealand-based Apex Valves finance team, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring effective stakeholder engagement across the business.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Finance

• Manage full accounting and reporting processes, including month-end closing, Watts group reporting, statutory reporting and local tax filing.
• Contribute to the monthly operational review (MOR) reporting and review meeting.
• Implement and enforce internal controls and procedures and ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements as applicable to group reporting obligations.
• Provide financial analysis to support Apex General Manager as well as business/operation team to grow business, improve profitability and free cash flow, with a strong focus on costing of manufacturing process such as control and allocation of costs including labour and overheads, measuring productivity improvement projects, etc.
• Maintain the full set of books for Apex with assistance of staff level accountant and APMEA regional shared service.
• Carry out month end closing process and prepare financial reporting package to meet Watts group requirements.
• Act as a strategic partner to the senior leadership team, providing financial insights to support decision-making and long-term planning, including but not limited to the annual STRAP and AOP processes.
• Comply with Watts Group accounting regulations and internal control rules.
• Responsible for GST, income tax and other tax filings of Apex to ensure full compliance.
• Prepare and submit monthly rolling forecast.
• Work with operations team to calculate and analyse product costing, track plant productivity and support cost saving projects.
• Monitor and analyse actual performance against forecast and budget.
• Implement and enforce internal controls in all major areas, including fixed asset management, inventory, A/P, A/R and etc.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, tax authorities, and group finance, to ensure alignment and compliance. Work with both corporate and external auditors in group and statutory audits.
• Carry out financial analysis and make recommendation on cost reduction and profit/cash flow improvements and other ad hoc assignments.

Leadership

• Act in a professional manner at all times and uphold the values and reputation of the organisation.
• Manage the Apex Finance team, ensuring that their work maintains the highest level of quality and accuracy required. Mentor and develop direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Attend regular Apex Management team meetings and Regional Finance team meetings and cascade relevant information to team.
• Manage productivity of staff, conduct regular one on one meetings, and ensure completion of the annual goal setting and performance review progress.
• Identify departmental training needs and support the development of direct reports.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues and contribute to a positive and respectful team environment.
• Contribute to creating an environment that motivates the team.

Health and Safety

• Compliance with all Apex Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure direct reports have the correct PPE and are provided with adequate safety training.
• Drive a team culture that fosters Health and Safety.
• Actively contribute to Health and Safety initiatives and the continuous improvement of all aspects of Health and Safety.
• Report incidents, near misses and safety opportunities in a timely manner and in contribution to company targets.
• Ensure your actions follow safe work practices to maintain a safe environment for yourself and everyone on site.
• Monitor staff wellbeing.
• Ensure safe work practices and encourage a safe working environment for team and others.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Comply with all company policies, procedures, relevant legislation and regulations that impact on/relate to Apex.
• Keep sensitive customer and/or product information confidential in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, other applicable legislation, and Apex/Watts policies.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain a tidy, orderly workspace in accordance with the principles of 5S and continuous improvement.
• Share experience and expertise to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. Lead continuous improvement initiatives across financial systems, processes, and reporting tools to enhance operational efficiency and data accuracy.
• Participate in training and development opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for waste reduction, safety and efficiency improvements through quick Kaizen submissions.
• Perform any other duties as reasonably required by management, consistent with the role and level of responsibility.
• Adapt to changing work demands and undertake new tasks as required.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor degree majoring in Accounting, Finance or Economics
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in multi-national organisation
• Membership with an internationally recognised accounting body, such as CPA (Certified Practicing Accountant) or CA (Chartered Accountant).

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Expertise in New Zealand accounting principles and practices and US GAAP
• Relevant experience in a similar role within the manufacturing industry (plumbing/construction industry experience highly desirable)
• Experience with financial reporting in a multi-site/regional corporate environment as well as working within a global and matrix business model
• Leadership experience and ability to work proactively and confidently with senior business leaders and influence key stakeholders where appropriate
• Good knowledge of product costing in a manufacturing environment
• Strong analytical and systematic thinking skills and strategic thinking
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Self-motivated and a team player
• Flexibility in duties and a willingness to work with new development and/or to assume additional responsibilities upon request
• Efficiently and effectively work under pressure and deliver to deadlines
• Able to work independently,
• A positive and ‘can-do’ attitude
• Great attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to partner with other leaders in the business and provide data to recommend and support improvements and efficiencies
• Experience with a site relocation or renovation/expansion project will be highly desirable.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Internal – Assembly Supervisors, Operations Manager, R&D, Sales, Customer Services
• External – suppliers, customers, freight companies, customer services

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office
• Apex Plant/Operational areas
• Off-site depending on business requirements (i.e. KPMG offices)
• Some domestic and international travel is part of the job

Watts is committed to equal employment opportunity. We follow a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, military or veteran status, minorities, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, Watts will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.