Financial Analyst, Category Controlling

Description & Requirements

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, Mark Levinson, Revel, Denon, and Bowers & Wilkins
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience
• Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

What You’ll Be Part Of

The Financial Analyst, Category Controlling plays an important role in connecting finance and the business, partnering with Product Category, Engineering, and cross-functional teams to drive financial visibility, accountability, and decision-making across the product portfolio. As part of the Sound United SBU finance team, the role provides analysis and insights that support profitable growth and the achievement of strategic and financial objectives.

The ideal candidate is analytical, collaborative, and proactive, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights.

How You’ll Make an Impact 

• Analyze product category performance, including revenue, gross margin, pricing, product mix, profitability, and key business drivers providing actionable insights to support decision-making.
• Perform financial analysis and scenario modeling to support product category evaluation, prioritization, and category investment decisions.
• Partner with Product Category and Engineering teams to develop and evaluate business cases, validate financial assumptions, and assess investment opportunities.
• Evaluate post-launch product performance against business case assumptions, profitability targets, and return expectations.
• Compile, analyze, and reconcile actual results versus budget and forecast, identifying key variances, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain financial models, category performance reporting, dashboards, and key performance metrics (KPIs) to enhance business visibility.
• Support the development of the annual Global R&D budget across shared engineering resources and product categories.
• Ensure financial data integrity across ERP and reporting systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting efficiency and data visibility through automation and process improvements.
• Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and ad hoc analyses as requested.

What Makes You A Strong Fit 

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 5-8 years of progressive finance, accounting, or related experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and business performance analysis.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, departments, and management levels, translating complex financial data into meaningful business insights.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with SAP or other large ERP systems, including working with large datasets, reporting tools, and financial systems.
• Availability to engage in meetings, calls, and collaborative activities outside normal business hours as required to effectively support a global organization and ensure alignment across international regions.

Bonus Points if You Have 

• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or other business intelligence tools.
• Experience building profitability models, business cases, and KPI dashboards.

• Ability to thoughtfully utilize AI technologies to enhance understanding, support analysis, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency, while exercising independent judgment and critical thinking.

Things To Know 

• You are willing to travel, if necessary.
• Be willing to work remotely in hybrid setting with commute to Carlsbad, CA, Northridge, CA, Stamford, CT, or Novi, MI offices.

• Due to the nature of global infrastructure, you understand that flexibility in working hours is required.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What You Can Expect

• A hybrid work environment that balances flexibility with in-person collaboration, with most office-based roles onsite three days a week.
• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products (including JBL, Harman / Kardon, AKG, and others)
• Learning and development opportunities through our award-winning HARMAN University programs
• Wellness benefits designed to support your overall well-being
• Tuition reimbursement support
• Access to the HARMAN campus fitness center and cafeteria, where available
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that supports both your professional and personal development

Pay Transparency

$ 78,750 - $ 115,500

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology 

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.  

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other. 

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: View email address on jobsearch.harman.com.

You Belong Here 

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.  

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers.  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. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.() 

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at  View email address on jobsearch.harman.com . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.