Financial Controller

Financial Controller ​ Ready to bring passion into your career? A global leading skincare and make-up company, Clarins Group is the embodiment of a committed family history, with a fierce passion for innovation and spirit of independence. Its raison d’être is "making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet". Operating in more than 150 countries, we are now the number one skincare company in Europe and are accelerating our development on all other continents, particularly in Asia and the Americas. Because our 8,000 talents are unique, we are committed to promoting diversity in all its forms. Do you want to help write the next chapter of our story? The role: As Financial Controller, you will be the finance business partner to the General Manager and Japan leadership team, with functional reporting to the APAC Chief Financial Officer. You will lead the end-to-end financial management of the subsidiary and manage one Senior Accountant. This role combines commercial partnership with strong financial stewardship. You will turn financial information into clear actions, support profitable growth, optimise cash and working capital, and ensure robust reporting, governance and internal controls. What you’ll do: Business Partnering & Performance Management • Act as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Retail, E-commerce, Supply Chain, HR and Training leaders. • Provide timely analysis, constructive challenge and action-oriented recommendations to support value creation and protect business performance. • Build dashboards and decision tools covering net sales, A&P investment, profitability by channel, customer and product, and cost allocation. • Support pricing, promotions, commercial agreements, new channels and boutique openings through scenario analysis, financial modelling and ROI assessment. Financial Planning, Reporting & Analysis • Lead FP&A and deliver accurate management reporting, forecasts and performance insights to local and regional leadership. • Own the annual budget, monthly risks and opportunities reviews and three-year business plan, ensuring alignment with sales, profitability and EBITDA commitments. • Deliver P&L and balance sheet variance analysis, identify risks and opportunities, and drive corrective actions with business stakeholders. • Ensure Group month-end reporting requirements are met on time and in full, working closely with the Accounting Shared Service Centre. Corporate Finance, Cash & Working Capital • Own the subsidiary P&L, balance sheet and regulatory reporting, and coordinate complete, accurate and audit-ready month, quarter and year-end closing. • Review provisions, accruals and accounting schedules and work with the Shared Service Centre to maintain clean financial statements. • Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital with the regional Treasury team, with focus on DSO, DPO and DSI optimisation. • Partner with Supply Chain on demand and inventory forecasts, monitor stock against forecast, book obsolescence provisions and participate in S&OP. Governance, Compliance & Business Improvement • Act as the local champion for internal controls, financial stewardship and compliance with Group standards and Japanese legislation. • Maintain documented policies and procedures, coordinate with banks, auditors, lawyers and tax advisors, and follow through on audit action plans. • Contribute to finance transformation, system deployment, CSR, legal initiatives, strategic studies and other cross-functional projects. • Build financial capability across the organisation by simplifying complex concepts and helping teams use finance tools with confidence. What you have: • Experience & Qualifications: Around 10 years of combined accounting and finance experience, including FP&A and month/year-end close. A CA/CPA or equivalent qualification, or a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance or Business, is required. • Commercial Finance Expertise: Strong business partnership, analytical and financial modelling skills, including scenario analysis, investment appraisal and ROI assessment. • Industry Background: Experience in retail, FMCG, beauty or another inventory-intensive environment is preferred. Audit firm experience is an advantage. • Technical Knowledge: Solid understanding of general ledger, financial reporting, cash flow, working capital, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls and statutory compliance. • Leadership Style: A collaborative and hands-on leader who communicates clearly, embraces teamwork and can influence senior stakeholders across a matrix organisation. • Languages: Professional written and verbal communication skills in both Japanese and English, supported by experience working in an international environment. • Systems: Strong capability in ERP systems, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with HFM or Workday is an advantage. We have: • Over 72 years of expertise in beauty and spa, with the Clarins and myBlend brands • Unique products and innovative services • A commitment to Social & Environmental Responsibility embedded in our raison d’être • A caring and inclusive corporate culture • Development and training opportunities • Attractive compensation and benefits If you have a curious mind, a thirst to go further and the drive to boldly take on new challenges, join us. At Clarins Group, inclusion and diversity are grounded in our core values. We foster an equal-opportunity culture where everyone can reach their full potential and do their best work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. To learn more about our group and our commitments to people and the planet, visit www.groupeclarins.com . If you have a curious mind, a thirst to go further and the drive to boldly take on new challenges, join us. About Clarins Group A B-Corp certified global leading skincare and make-up company, Clarins group is the embodiment of a committed family history, with a fie&rce passion for innovation and spirit of independence. Our purpose "making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet," is a core commitment outlined in our by-laws. Operating in more than 150 countries thanks to our 8,000 employees worldwide, we are now the number one skincare company in Europe and are accelerating our development on all other continents, particularly in Asia and the Americas. In line with our dual CSR mission of ‘Caring for people, caring for the planet’ we take pride in offering a rewarding yet challenging work environment where everyone can thrive. This culture allowed us to achieve the certification of Forbes' World’s Best Employers 2024 and Forbes' World’s Best Employers 2024. To learn more about our group and our commitments to people, visit www.groupeclarins.com . Equal opportunity employer We believe in making life more beautiful for our employees and our customers. Inclusion and diversity are firmly grounded in our core values. We strive to achieve inclusiveness, and we foster an equal-opportunity culture where everyone can reach their full potential and do their best work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are a member of the ILO (International Labor Organization) and the Employers Network for Equity and Inclusion (ENEI).