Finance Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Finance Manager is a key member of the Finance team and is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting while supporting business planning and decision-making across the organization.

Working in a lean and highly collaborative Finance team, the role requires a hands-on professional who can independently manage a broad range of Finance activities while also providing financial analysis and business insights to management and business stakeholders.

The position covers a broad range of responsibilities, including accounting and closing, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, performance management, cash flow management, audit support, and continuous improvement of Finance processes.

This is a hands-on Finance Manager role requiring both strong technical Finance capabilities and the ability to work closely with the business. The Finance Manager is also expected to provide effective backup to the Head of Finance and contribute to the overall management of the Finance function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities in accordance with IFRS and Group accounting policies.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial statements and management reporting.
• Review journal entries, accruals, provisions, balance sheet reconciliations, and other closing activities.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely completion of accounting activities.
• Support statutory reporting, tax-related activities, and external audits in collaboration with external advisors where applicable.

2. Planning, Forecasting & Performance Management

• Support and coordinate the annual budget, forecasts, and longer-term financial planning processes.
• Analyze actual performance against budget and forecast and identify key drivers of variances.
• Prepare management reporting and provide clear financial insights and recommendations.
• Work closely with business functions to understand business activities, risks, opportunities, and their financial implications.
• Support the Head of Finance and management team with financial analysis and business decision-making.

3. Finance Operations & Internal Control

• Oversee key Finance processes, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense management, and cash flow management.
• Monitor cash positions and prepare or support cash forecasting.
• Maintain appropriate financial controls and ensure adherence to Group Finance policies and procedures.
• Coordinate effectively with shared service centers, external service providers, and Regional/Global Finance teams.
• Support internal and external audit activities and follow up on identified actions where necessary.

4. Business Partnering

• Act as a Finance partner to business functions, providing financial guidance and support.
• Support budget owners in understanding financial performance, forecasts, and key cost drivers.
• Proactively identify financial risks and opportunities and communicate them to relevant stakeholders.
• Translate financial information into practical and actionable business insights.
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders across the organization and contribute to sound financial decision-making.

5. Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate Finance processes.
• Support improvements in Finance systems, reporting tools, and data quality.
• Drive improvements in the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of financial processes.
• Contribute to cross-functional and Regional/Global projects where Finance expertise is required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Approximately 7–10 years of relevant experience in Finance and/or Accounting, preferably in a multinational environment.
• Solid knowledge and practical experience with IFRS.
• Strong hands-on experience with financial closing, accounting, and management reporting.
• Solid experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and performance management.
• Ability to independently manage a broad range of Finance activities and provide effective backup to the Head of Finance when required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify key financial drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and manage multiple priorities in a lean Finance organization.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior management and non-Finance stakeholders.
• Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP and financial reporting/planning systems.

Preferred

• Experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
• Experience working with Regional/Global Finance teams or shared service centers.
• Experience acting as a Finance Business Partner to commercial and/or other business functions.
• Experience in Finance process improvement, automation, or system implementation.
• Experience coordinating with external auditors, tax advisors, or other professional service providers.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Hands-on Ownership: Comfortable taking direct responsibility for Finance activities and working hands-on in a lean organization.

Business Acumen: Understands the business behind the numbers and can connect financial performance with business activities and decisions.

Analytical Thinking: Able to identify underlying drivers, risks, and opportunities rather than simply reporting financial results.

Proactivity: Identifies issues and opportunities early, takes ownership, and drives them toward resolution.

Collaboration: Builds effective relationships across functions and works effectively with Regional and Global stakeholders.

Communication: Able to explain financial topics clearly and effectively to both Finance and non-Finance stakeholders, including senior management.

Continuous Improvement Mindset: Actively looks for simpler, faster, and more effective ways of working.