Job Description

Position Overview:

The FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) Specialist for Japan works closely with cross-functional teams to support budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis, reporting to the FP&A Manager of Japan. This role has a focus on continuous improvement and process enhancement, working alongside with the HHI Finance and business stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Financial Planning and Forecasting:

Collaborate with Finance Business Partners & Business Stakeholders to develop the annual budget and short- and long-term forecasts.

• Maintain and update master data across local tools and company forecasting systems, ensuring alignment with local tracking needs and forecasting requirements.

• Gather, consolidate, and validate financial forecast data from Finance Business Partners and Business Stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and completeness of submissions into local tools and company systems.

• Collaborate with Finance Business Partners & Business Stakeholders to support Headcount planning and reporting. Consolidate and prepare Headcount relevant cost planning based on historical trend, planned Headcount, and market conditions.

• Perform detailed analysis to validate planning assumptions compared to prior forecasts, and historical trend, identifying potential risks and opportunities impacting the company’s financial profile.

• Assist in preparing financial forecast review presentations for local and regional senior leaders.

• Provide ad hoc support to Finance Business Partners and Business stakeholders to facilitate management decision making during forecast cycles.

2. Financial Data Analysis and Reporting

• Maintain financial master data and databases, ensuring data integrity across local tools and global systems; troubleshoot issues in collaboration with internal advisors and external service providers.

• Support the monthly outlook estimation and closing processes, including preparation of routine reports and ad hoc analyses as requested by stakeholders, management, and headquarters.

• Monitor actual performance against plans through routine and detailed variance analyses, identifying key drivers and delivering actionable insights to stakeholders for timely resource allocation and decision-making.

• Manage priorities effectively to meet reporting deadlines.

• Provide ad hoc support to Finance Business partners and Business stakeholders as needed.

3. Continuous Improvement and Process Enhancement:

• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes, improve reporting transparency and consistency, and enhance data accuracy and integrity.

• Maintain an open mindset to explore and implement digital and automation solutions to transform existing processes.

4. Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in cross-functional projects and provide financial expertise and analysis to support strategic decision-making.

• Stay informed on industry trends, regulations, and accounting standards to ensure compliance and integrate relevant changes into financial processes.

Required Skills and Core Competencies

• Strong ability to prioritize tasks, work effectively under pressure and adapt flexibly in dynamic environments.

• Comfortable navigating uncertainty and evolving circumstances.

• Excellent logical thinking with a high level of precision and thoroughness in analytical work.

• Self-motivated with a strong drive to achieve results.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

• Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• High energy and a strong desire to contribute to building a high-performing FP&A team.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3-5 years of proven experience in Audit, Consulting, or in-house FP&A roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field

• Business-level proficiency in English (verbal, presentation, and writing).

• Familiarity with multinational organizations and diverse cultures.

• Solid knowledge of accounting principles and financial regulations.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint; experience with Power BI, Power Query, and Excel Macros is a plus.

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Audits Compliance, Budgeting, Capital Budgeting, Cash Management, Communication, Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Data Analysis, Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Income Tax Planning, Management Controls, Management Process, Preparation of Financial Reports, Stakeholder Management, Treasury Management, Variance Analysis

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

12/31/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.