Purpose of the job

This function provides the necessary support and management for the finance and controlling activities for Umicore Shokubai in Japan:

• This includes the support for various projects related to improvement initiatives (Working Capital, project Controlling, Efficiency for Growth…..)
• R&D related activities in Kobe

The function is part of USJP Leadership team and responsible for the execution of the financial strategy in close cooperation with Regional Controller APAC and the local Senior Management.

The function has responsibilities for the following areas of the Finance Organization and processes in Japan:

• Planning/Reporting/Forecasting for USJP
• Preparing Local and Group P&L and Balance Sheets, Free Cash Flow
• Overseeing Cash Management
• Supporting GFS APAC for Statutory requirements preparation

The Finance manager is supported by the APAC GFS Team and some resources located in India (to be India HUB), mainly for PGM reporting.

Strategic focus

As part of AC’s Japan Controlling Team secure the execution of AC’s overall financial strategy in order to optimize return of the BU.

The function is responsible for the continuous improvement of the controlling processes for USJP.

The function is responsible for the following topics

• Building an efficient controlling set up considering the different contributors (GFS APAC as well as Europe, India Hub, PGM Controlling, Central Controlling)
• Active contribution in Japan and global Controlling initiatives and projects (e.g. improvement of forecast, NWC reduction, Master data improvement)
• Sales Controlling including margin analysis, Global financial model, changes in business models, underlying data for recharges and cost increases; good understanding of the profitability by customer; making and tracking KPI together with Customer management team,
• Cash management, including monitoring of the open receivables, credit lines etc.
• Improvement of cost reporting;
• Close monitoring of lagging and leading KPIs; strong focus is required in controlling operations costs, productivity and capacity utilization
• Project Controlling for R&D activities in KOBE
• SAP retrofit

• Responsible to deliver Group Financial reporting and to meet financial information needs of Japanese Leadership team, Global Controlling AC, and Group Headquarters for all Japanese Plants and legal Entities of AC. Advises fields of corrective actions and cost containment. Monitors leading and lagging KPIs

• Ensures that Group and AC planning requirements for Japan are met. Directs and coordinates the planning and preparation of AC specific planning requirements (Budget and Strategy Update); This includes capital expenditure plan as well as operating budgets and P&L/BS planning.

• Drives business and financial analysis to contribute to the strategic decision-making process. Develops and implements business optimization plans from the financial perspective. Follows up closely on plant performance, productivity and capacity utilization.

• Acts as interface between BU Regional Management AC corporate functions and local Operations and Management.

• Participates in a variety of finance related projects as nominated, and supervises internal investments, approval process and fixed assets management.

• Capital Employed: Responsible for the monitoring of the Working Capital development, especially the Accounts Receivables and the Inventories and safeguards AC’s assets. Ensures that policies and procedures are in place to achieve the task (responsible for the organization of the inventory counts in line with the existing policies in all sites excluding external locations)

• Supervises the tax, treasury, accounting, reporting and financial internal control processes (along MICR requirements) and procedures for the organizational scope. Optimizes internal control processes and ensures follow-up and compliance.

• Assisting the Managing Director with NSCL relations, Board activities, Board resolutions, and organizing Shareholders meetings. Consolidation of financial statement for Umicore Shokubai Group.

 20%

10%

20%

10%

 5%

 10%

5%

5%

Functional requirements  (Education, years of experience in different areas, technical skills, …)

• University degree with a Master in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration. CPA designation is preferred
• Expert Knowledge of IFRS and Japan-GAAP which influences accounting and reporting for the division

• Knowledge of relevant tax issues

• Current and commanding knowledge in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, plant controlling, investment calculations, contract administrations, and analysis of various business strategies developing various scenarios to understand the opportunities – strategically and tactically in support of the business decisions.

• Project management skills

• Language skills: excellent Japanese and English skills required; additional languages considered an asset
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the finance and accounting field with an internationally operating company and ideally experience in the Automotive industry
• Experience in people management
• Current and commanding knowledge in SAP FI and CO module, good knowledge of the modules MM and SD, experience in SAP projects

• Experience with databases such as Infor, Anaplan

Personal skills (Behavioural competencies)

• High degree of communication skills, both oral and written.
• Clear and crisp verbal and written presentation skills.
• Independent thinking, self-motivation.
• Resilience; Ability to work in a fast pace, changing environment, meet deadlines and work under pressure, especially at month/year end.
• Excellent analytical capabilities and problem solving skills
• Negotiation skills related to financial topics.
• Ability to motivate, develop and manage staff virtually.
• Intercultural awareness, understanding of different business practices in the relevant cultures.

• Aptitude to Influence Leadership towards best possible financial performance.
• Builds and leverages effective networks within APAC region.
• Innovative spirit, which searches for continuous improvements.