Manager, Financial Controlling

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson and Revel.
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development.
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience.

About the Role

Do you want to work for some of the world’s leading audio brands? Become a part of the HARMAN team and get to work for our Sound United Business Unit. 

By joining HARMAN, you'll dive headfirst into the exciting world of headphones, portable speakers, party boxes and other audio technologies, and contribute to the success of Harman Lifestyle EMEA business. The consumer audio industry is fast paced, fun and dynamic and we’re looking for someone who is proactive, loves to work with a lot of different stakeholders from all over the globe and has creative ideas.

You will join our Sound United Business Unit with iconic brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics, based in Shirakawa, Japan (Fukushima Prefecture) in the position of:  Manager - Financial Controlling

We are seeking a Manager - Financial Controlling to support our premier Japan manufacturing site in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. The plant manufacturers a variety of Harman products, including the Denon and Marantz AVRs.

You will be the key Finance business partner to the Plant Manager and will be the go-to person for all things Manufacturing Finance for the Shirakawa site. This is a highly visible role and is a valued member of the Global Manufacturing Controlling organization at Harman.

You will be responsible for ensuring the plant’s profitability and competitiveness, shared hand-in-hand with the Plant Manager. This role will supervise a staff of 5. The successful candidate will report directly to the Global Manufacturing Controller.

What You Will Do

Spend Analysis and Control

• Create and distribute weekly and monthly spending reports, by department, highlighting opportunities for improvement. Support analysis and commentary of drivers behind variances, month to month vs. prior year, and forecast and budget.
• Review production variances (materials & labor) with plant leader and assist in driving to root cause.
• Track labor efficiencies and work closely with plant leader to boost labor productivity.
• Track material PPV, scrap, inventory adjustments, and subcontractor waste and work closely with procurement and plant management to attain higher material productivity.
• Perform make vs. buy analyses to 1) judge competitiveness of internal processes and evaluate merits of in-sourcing vs. outsourcing; 2) support efforts to secure volumes from other Harman divisions as a cost-competitive internal contract manufacturer.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls; this includes ensuring compliance to Harman GAR for all expenditures.
• Monitor spending on key categories to include maintenance, supplies, and consumables, and support company initiatives to reduce spending.
• Work with plant management team to develop a database of cost out opportunities.
• Develop and publish tracking reports to monitor cost out activities and progress to plan

Actuals, Forecasts, and Annual Budget

• Provide Actuals based monthly reporting, including load, spend by category, and manufacturing cost variances.
• Ensure that all required accruals and capitalizations are performed at each financial Close.
• Utilizing Actuals and S&OP data, update monthly Forecast and provide to management.
• Prepare the annual budget, including updates to labor and overhead rates, standard cost by unit, and work closely with engineering and plant management to contemplate any changes to standard times on the financials. Develop annual Capex plan, as well as Inventory Plan for the facility.
• Update COGS allocation schema for any changes in shared service support for plant operations.
• Cost any new products and perform quarterly review by SKU of cost per cost element, standard versus actual YTD.

Inventory, Fixed Assets, Working Capital

• Ensure performance of regular inventory cycle counts and period-end physicals in line with corporate instructions, document results, and suggest improvements.
• Perform fixed asset physical in line with corporate instructions.
• Collaborate with procurement, plant management, and supply chain to identify areas for working capital improvements.
• Develop capital expenditure budget together with plant management and publish monthly tracking report to show progress to plan. This includes by-project CIP tracking, and adherence to Harman GAR for any over-runs, ensuring that proper approvals are granted pre-spend.
• Ensure that all items which warrant capitalization are properly capitalized and assigned to the proper cost center for depreciation purposes.

Team Management

• Manage team and hire new staff as required
• Role model interpersonal maturity, leadership presence, and financial stewardship.
• Nurture and develop team talent and bench strength.

What You Need to Be Successful

• BS in Accounting or Finance
• Extensive hands-on experience as a Plant Controller in a manufacturing company.
• Manufacturing ERP (SAP) experience
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Sets tone for financial excellence and interpersonal maturity for this very key role in plant leadership
• High energy and strong curiosity, with penchant for troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Comfortable walking the manufacturing floor daily
• Shows consistency in purpose and follow-through on action items and deliverables. Extremely dependable and reliable
• High quotient for teamwork and collaboration. Understands integral contribution this role plays within global Finance

Bonus Points if You Have

• Chartered Accountant Certification or Top Tier Audit Firm experience
• MBA
• SAP S4/HANA experience

What Makes You Eligible

• Ability to work onsite in Shirakawa Plant (shared time in Kawasaki City admin office is also an option)
• You are eligible to work in Japan
• You are functionally fluent in Japanese and English

What We Offer

• Exceptional employee discounts on our legendary products across all brands.
• Enjoy a competitive salary.
• Receive a generous holiday allowance.
• We offer private medical insurance, a cycle to work scheme, and generous employee referral bonuses – we believe in true collaboration and feeling part of something special.
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
• Competitive wellness benefits.
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.

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HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.