The Sr. Manager – Financial Operations position (P2P/Concur/Innovation) requires a comprehensive understanding of business workflows at Lilly Japan, as well as general knowledge of Japanese tax and accounting (both local and US standards) to ensure compliance with requirements. This role is also responsible for leading the innovation agenda within Japan Finance. Strong communication skills in both Japanese and English are essential, as the individual will collaborate with management, headquarters, and external stakeholders.

• Manage the P2P (Purchase to Pay) and Expense Reporting Process (Concur), and lead Japan Finance AI/Simplification/Automation initiatives in collaboration with the Japan Finance lead team, GBS, and IBU.
• Supervise employees and contractors, ensuring stable and reliable operations, including exception handling and audits.
• Oversee risk management, maintain internal controls, and ensure compliance with SOx, relevant laws, regulations, and internal procedures.
• Strategically lead and make decisions regarding the Japan P2P/Concur process, including designing, developing, and analyzing effective models, and identifying opportunities for process improvement as a process owner and project manager.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners such as internal/external auditors, headquarters, shared service centers, and external business partners.
• Lead initiatives to advance AI/automation, simplify work/processes, and digitalize paper/old-fashioned processes. Influence management and other departments to implement these solutions for Japan Finance.
• Work with Controller to create a better team to support a growing company

Required Experience

• 5+ years of experience in financial/project management roles, including managing financial systems, budgets, journal entries, financial reporting, financial data analysis, auditing, and taxation.
• Experience leading a small team or supervising a small number of people.
• Experience in cross-functional work/projects and leadership roles in medium-sized projects.
• Proven track record of successfully leading at least one innovative project, such as automation, simplification, or AI initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Willingness to lead the team and elevate performance through coaching.
• Strong understanding of business workflows, ideally within a pharmaceutical company.
• Project management and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong initiative, proactive mindset, leadership qualities, and a can-do attitude.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, willingness to challenge the status quo, and eagerness to learn.
• Knowledge of accounting and Japanese tax regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an appreciation for diversity.
• Proficiency in Japanese (native or equivalent) and English (business level, TOEIC L&R 860+).
• High trustworthiness, discretion, and a strong sense of ethics.

Desirable Experience/Licenses

• CPA/Japanese Tax Accountant license.
• International experience.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience with SAP, Concur, and Ariba.