Plant Finance Fin. Planning & Analysis Specialist

Merck Merck · Pharma · Tokyo, Japan

This role is a Plant Finance FP&A Specialist at Merck in Tokyo, Japan. It focuses on plant controlling activities including budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, and financial analysis of plant operations and expenses. The position requires proficiency in financial applications like SAP and strong analytical and stakeholder management skills.

What you'd actually do

  1. Support monthly performance reporting and explanation of variances, including the completion of dashboard & oversight on monthly closing activities
  2. Support forecast and budget development at site. Support the preparation of the annual budget cycle, quarterly forecast, and capital budget submissions to achieve corporate deadlines and ensure divisional targets are met. Ensures forecast accuracy and delivery of actuals on target
  3. Become proficient in using the financial applications and systems (e.g., Local Planning Tool, LPT, BPC, SAP, Other Database tools)
  4. Analyze variances and communicates explanations to management with recommended actions
  5. Analyze, seek feedback and prepare commentary on major variances to forecasts, budget & prior year actual results and assist in the understanding of key risks and opportunities

Skills

Required

  • Accounting/ Finance Degree
  • Demonstrated solid prior experience in FP&A roles
  • Outstanding analytical skills
  • Capability to think beyond numbers and combine data with strategy and financial insight
  • Execution excellence, willingness to take on responsibility and Goal-orientated mindset
  • Strong stakeholder management skills
  • Intermediate to Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, particularly Excel
  • Experience with ERP systems (preferably SAP, and with reporting systems (Analysis for Office / BW / Power BI)

Nice to have

  • CPA or equivalent will be an advantage
  • Cost accounting experience is a plus
  • Experience within the pharmaceutical industry preferred but not essential