(Japanese Speaking) Financial Planning & Analysis Lead

Company: Japanese manufacturing company

Positions: Financial Planning & Analysis Lead

Location: Berkshire (hybrid work)

Salary: Depending on experience

The Role

The FP&A team plays a central role in analysing monthly financial results, coordinating budgeting and forecasting (both short- and long-term), and providing commercial finance decision support to the European business. The team supports both Head Office and regional stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of maximising profitability and improving budget accuracy across the organisation. This position supports the delivery of financial insights, budgeting and forecasting activities, monthly reporting, and ad hoc analysis for Head Office functions. The role also works closely with regional operations planning teams and acts as a liaison between operational stakeholders and the FP&A function. Due to frequent interaction with international stakeholders, strong business level English and Japanese are essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities Analysis of Actual Results

• Support the Department Manager in delivering timely and insightful performance analysis and reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Analyse divisional results for both Head Office functions and consolidated European operations, including revenue, cost structures, and balance sheet items.
• Collaborate with business teams to understand financial performance, identify improvement opportunities, and highlight key risks and issues.
• Work with the broader Finance team to ensure high data quality and consistency to support accurate analysis.
• Interpret financial results and translate them into actionable insights to support business decision making.
• Partner with business operations teams to identify root causes of performance issues and propose improvements.
• Contribute to the preparation and analysis of the Monthly Operating Report.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Coordinate the European budgeting process in collaboration with FP&A and other finance teams, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Support Head Office indirect business functions in preparing annual budgets and forecasts.
• Monitor and communicate budget performance against agreed targets.
• Review SG&A budgets for quality, including phasing and level of detail, and critically challenge assumptions where appropriate.
• Support balance sheet budgeting, including loan and funding forecasts.
• Assist in the preparation of budget packs and presentations for leadership review.
• Work with the central FP&A team to produce final consolidated budget materials for the European region.
• Analyse previous budget variances to improve forecasting accuracy.
• Provide accounting guidance on the appropriate treatment of items within budgets.
• Promote the use of tools and methodologies to improve budget accuracy (e.g., activity based budgeting, risk and opportunity logs).

Systems and Process Improvement

• Support the Department Manager in driving continuous improvement across forecasting, reporting and analysis processes.
• Enhance existing financial models and reporting structures, including automation initiatives and self service reporting where appropriate.
• Stay informed of best practices, industry trends, and regulatory developments in FP&A.
• Proactively recommend and support enhancements to FP&A systems and processes, including the use of digital and analytical tools.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Experience in FP&A, management reporting or commercial finance roles.
• Strong analytical mindset with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non finance stakeholders.
• Fluent English and Japanese (spoken and written) at business level.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) are highly desirable.
• Qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA) preferred but not essential.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Well organised, flexible, and collaborative team player.
• Comfortable working with stakeholders across Europe and bridging the finance / non finance gap.
• Proven experience in driving process improvements, particularly within FP&A.
• Pan European experience is advantageous.
• Interest in industry, products, or commercial operations is a plus.
• Curiosity and willingness to explore new technologies supporting FP&A activities (e.g., Power BI, Power Query, RPA, AI).
• Occasional European travel may be required.