Sr. Financial Analyst- Japanese/English speaking is required

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Financial Analyst? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!


Responsibilities

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Summary:

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we're building the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you'll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation.

Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

Job Summary:


The Sr. Financial Analyst supports financial planning, analysis, and reporting for the Mobility Energy Business Division (MEBD), working closely with U.S. operations and Japan headquarter. This role leads budgeting, forecasting, performance analysis, and management reporting, with a strong focus on manufacturing cost analysis, capital investments, and operational performance. The Analyst partners with accounting and operations teams to bridge actual results with business plans, supports monthly close and IFRS-based accounting considerations, and provides clear, bilingual (English and Japanese) financial insights to senior leadership and global executives. Reporting to the Sr. Manager of Finance, this position plays a critical role in supporting informed decision-making and financial discipline across the organization. Must have business-level proficiency in English and native-level fluency in Japanese, with strong reading, writing, and speaking skills in both languages.

Essential Duties:

Financial Planning, Forecasting, and Performance Management

• Lead the preparation and consolidation of annual budgets (AOP), quarterly/monthly forecasts, and mid-term business plans
• Develop and manage key financial metrics including profitability, cost structure, cash flow, ROIC, and CapEx performance
• Perform variance analysis versus plan/forecast and provide clear explanations to management
• Prepare financial presentations and materials for management reviews and executive meetings

Financial Analysis for Manufacturing Operations

• Analyze manufacturing cost structures (materials, labor, overhead) and production economics
• Support financial analysis for plant ramp-up phases, capacity changes, and productivity initiatives
• Evaluate financial impacts of changes in production volume, start-up timing, or operating assumptions
• Conduct return and sensitivity analyses for major capital investments

Support for Local Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Work closely with the local accounting team to support monthly close activities
• Understand key accounting treatments under IFRS (inventory valuation, fixed assets, revenue recognition, provisions, etc.)
• Bridge actual accounting results with forecasts, budgets, and business plans
• Identify and explain accounting-driven impacts on financial performance and outlook
• Participate in discussions with accountants regarding accounting processes for U.S. transactions, and support implementation into accounting practices, including establishing operational workflows at each location (e.g., IRA grants, state subsidies, tax-related issues).
• Participate in various projects in the U.S. and provide support from an accounting and finance perspective by coordinating with internal teams and external parties.

• Develop a fixed asset management process from overseas import through capitalization and physical asset verification.

Japan-U.S. Coordination and Communication

• Serve as a primary financial point of contact between U.S. operations and Japan HQ
• Prepare and deliver financial reports and explanations to Japanese stakeholders (in English and Japanese as applicable)
• Translate HQ requests and financial expectations into actionable local analysis

• Develop monthly and quarterly management reporting packages including forecast, closing, and business planning for senior leadership
• Proactively review and ensure accuracy of such reporting packages and present them to the global executives.
• Other responsibilities may be assigned by leadership as required including but not limited to, translating, organizing documents, and processing invoices

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.


Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education

• Required: Basic/Required: Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of working experience as a FP&A, management accounting, or business finance in a manufacturing company in the U.S. or Japan
• Must have business-level proficiency in English and native-level fluency in Japanese, with strong reading, writing, and speaking skills in both languages.
• Advanced literacy with Microsoft Office, especially Excel spreadsheets and database functions, as well as Word and PowerPoint
• Proven record of FP&A and Financial Reporting experience
• Knowledge of SAP, Oracle, or another fully integrated ERP system
• Able to work with all levels of the leadership team as high as CEO
• Strong customer service skills including excellent verbal, written, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Ability to interpret and understand procedures and governmental regulations
• Capable of handling confidential information in a responsible manner
• Ability to respond to inquiries from internal customers in a timely manner
• Flexibility and multi-tasking capabilities
• Highly organized and able to follow a systematic method of performing a task
• Ability to communicate effectively with fellow team members and members of other departments
• Ability to cooperate and collaborate with diverse teams including those overseas in Japan

Preferred Qualifications:

• Obtains certification(s) as the U.S. Certified Public Accountant (USCPA), and/or Nissho Bookkeeping Level 2
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally when requested
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate well at all levels of the organization
• Able to influence change without direct authority
• Demonstrate ability to take initiative, successfully handle and prioritize multiple competing assignments, and effectively manage deadlines
• Resilient, self-motivated and able to work well under pressure
• Alignment to Panasonic's seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Health Benefits - Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits - Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) - 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits - Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance - Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs -Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options : Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

Where You'll Be:

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are:

Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.

As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.

Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.

We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

We Take Opportunity Seriously:

At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

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