DHL—Manager – Ops Cost Accountant, HQC

Job description

Description: Job Title Manager – Ops Cost Accountant Function Operations Reports To VP - Ops. Strategy & Implementation Location Head Office Travel Required 25% þ 50% ☐ 75% ☐ About DHL Blue Dart Express India: Blue Dart Express Limited, a listed company, is a leader in courier, integrated air express package distribution, and eCommerce in South Asia, offering a wide range of logistics solutions. Founded in 1983, it is recognised for reliable, time-bound, and secure delivery services across 55,000+ locations in India as well as internationally. Its competencies span across evaluation and contracting, planning and transition, delivery and execution, and specific service capabilities. We pride ourselves on innovation, digitalization, service excellence, and creating long-term partnerships with our clients, enabling businesses to thrive in the fast-paced logistics environment and ever-evolving supply-chains. It wholly-owns India’s only scheduled air cargo airline, Blue Dart Aviation Limited, since May 1994, and the Concorde Air Logistics Limited, a transport, storage, and communications business, since May 2004. Blue Dart Express Limited is a part of the DHL Group's DHL eCommerce division, leveraging this global logistics leader’s network across 220 countries and territories to provide comprehensive express and logistics solutions to our clients. Our robust network and unmatched infrastructure have positioned the Blue Dart brand as a key India-grown logistics player with an unmatched and phenomenal global outreach rooted in the DHL brand of its majority shareholder. We are proud to be consistently ranked among India’s Top 100 Great Places to Work, combining it with DHL Group’s Top Employer certification. Being an Employer of Choice is not just a goal; it’s a fundamental part of who we are, committed to creating a workplace where people are valued, empowered, and wear the sobriquet “Blue Darter” with honour. If you are looking to join a purpose-led, people-first, company that shapes India’s supply-chains with integrity and safety, Blue Dart is where you belong. Blue Dart offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, access to cross-functional, succession planning and global career paths, and strong culture of recognition. Position Overview: The Manager – Ops Cost Accountant is responsible for driving cost visibility, analytics, and governance across Operations. The role serves as the primary interface between Operations and Finance teams for cost tracking, validation, reconciliation, and reporting of operational cost initiatives. The incumbent will monitor and analyze operational costs, including Cost per Shipment (CpS) and Cost per Kilogram (CpK), ensuring alignment of actual performance against business plans and identifying opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiency improvements. Job Purpose: To provide comprehensive cost analytics, governance, and financial control for operational initiatives by ensuring accurate tracking, validation, reconciliation, and reporting of costs and savings across locations and cost heads, thereby enabling achievement of operational cost efficiency targets. Key Roles & Responsibilities: Cost Tracking & Analysis - Track and monitor operational costs across business initiatives. - Analyze Cost per Shipment (CpS), Cost per Kilogram (CpK), and overall operating costs. - Conduct trend analysis and identify cost improvement opportunities. - Support business leaders with actionable cost insights and recommendations. Cost Validation & Reconciliation - Validate operational cost data with Finance and Operations teams. - Ensure accuracy of cost allocations, accruals, and reporting. - Perform periodic reconciliation of planned versus actual costs. - Highlight variances and recommend corrective actions. Savings Tracking & Benefits Realization - Track cost-saving initiatives implemented by Operations teams. - Validate savings claims and establish mechanisms for measurement. - Monitor realization of planned benefits against approved business cases. - Prepare regular savings dashboards and performance reports. Stakeholder Management - Act as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) between Operations and Finance teams. - Facilitate discussions on cost performance, budgeting, and efficiency initiatives. - Ensure timely availability of data and reports to key stakeholders. - Support cross-functional reviews and governance forums. Reporting & Analytics - Develop and publish management dashboards and MIS reports. - Prepare cost performance reviews at location and cost-head levels. - Generate insights on operational efficiency and productivity metrics. - Support annual planning, forecasting, and budgeting exercises. - Process Governance & Continuous Improvement - Establish standardized cost tracking and reporting methodologies. - Strengthen controls around data validation and reporting accuracy. - Drive automation and process improvement initiatives within cost analytics. - Ensure compliance with reporting standards and governance requirements. - Qualifications & Experience: Education: - Chartered Accountant (CA) / Cost & Management Accountant (CMA/ICWA) preferred. - MBA Finance or equivalent qualification preferred. Experience: - 5 to 7 years of accounting and cost analysis experience. - Prior experience in Logistics, Supply Chain, Express Distribution, E-commerce Logistics, or Transportation industry preferred. - Experience in operational cost analytics, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. - Strong exposure to cross-functional stakeholder management. Skills & Capabilities: Technical Skills: - Cost Accounting & Cost Analytics - Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) - Budgeting & Forecasting - Cost Reconciliation & Validation - MIS Reporting & Dashboarding - Advanced Excel and Data Analytics - Financial Modelling Behavioural Competencies: - Analytical Thinking - Business Acumen - Attention to Detail - Result Orientation - Ownership & Accountability Key Performance Indicators: KRAs KPIs Cost Tracking & Monitoring 100% monthly tracking of operational costs, CpK and CpS across all assigned initiatives and locations Plan vs Actual Analysis Timely variance analysis and reporting; identification and closure of cost deviations against budget/plan Cost Validation & Reconciliation Accuracy and timeliness of cost validation and reconciliation with Finance; minimal reconciliation exceptions Savings Tracking & Validation % of cost-saving initiatives tracked and validated; realized savings vs planned savings MIS & Reporting Timely publication of monthly dashboards, cost reports and management reviews with zero critical errors Operational Cost Efficiency Support Contribution to achievement of Operations cost efficiency and productivity targets Stakeholder Management Effective coordination between Operations and Finance teams; stakeholder satisfaction and adherence to review timelines Budgeting & Forecasting Support Accuracy of cost forecasts and support in annual operating plan/budget preparation Governance & Controls Compliance with reporting standards, documentation requirements and audit readiness Process Improvement & Automation Implementation of process improvements/automation initiatives resulting in increased reporting efficiency and accuracy Why join DHL Blue Dart? When you join us, you’re not just taking a job—you’re becoming part of a purpose-led movement that’s reshaping the future of logistics across India and the world. At Blue Dart, we don’t just deliver parcels—we deliver excellence, innovation, and opportunity every day. Here’s what makes us stand out: - Great Place to Work® Certified—a testament to our people-first culture, inclusive environment, and commitment to your growth and well-being. - Competitive pay and performance-linked rewards that truly recognize your impact. - Structured learning, global exposure, and on-the-job coaching to help you grow faster than ever. - Best-in-class benefits—from comprehensive medical cover (including optional parental care) to financial wellness and generous time off. - A culture that celebrates diversity, innovation, and bold thinking—where your voice is heard and your contributions matter. - Global career paths across the DHL Group, opening doors to opportunities in 220+ countries and territories. - The pride of working with India’s most awarded logistics brand, trusted by millions and driven by purpose. This is your chance to do meaningful work, build a career without borders, and thrive in a company that’s not just a logistics leader—but a Great Place to Work. Come grow with us. Disclaimer: At Blue Dart Express Limited, all recruitment is conducted through a fair, transparent, and merit-based process aligned with our commitments to Human Rights and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB). Blue Dart does not request or accept any fees, deposits, or payments from candidates at any stage of the recruitment or onboarding process. Any such request is fraudulent and unauthorized. Blue Dart shall not be responsible for any loss arising from such fraudulent activity. For verification, candidates may write to bdjobs@bluedart.com. #Li-eBD Skills: cost accounting, cost analytics, financial planning & analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cost reconciliation, mis reporting, dashboarding, advanced excel, data analytics, financial modelling, process improvement, process automation, governance, compliance, audit readiness, stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration, operational cost efficiency, business acumen, analytical thinking, kpi development, kra implementation, cost tracking & monitoring, variance analysis, savings validation