Internal Control Manager

Key Accountabilities – Internal Control Manager

The Internal Control Manager is responsible for ensuring the effective design, implementation, and monitoring of internal controls in accordance with Taisho Group Policies, Internal Control Standards, and applicable regulatory requirements. The role supports a strong control environment across all business functions and contributes to risk mitigation and operational excellence.

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1. Internal Control Framework Ownership

• Maintain and enhance a comprehensive framework of local procedures, Delegation of Authority (DoA), and segregation of duties, ensuring alignment with Taisho Group Policies and Internal Control Standards.
• Collaborate with process owners to develop, update, and validate process documentation and control activities, ensuring consistency, completeness, and control effectiveness.

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2. Implementation and Advisory

• Plan, guide, and coordinate the rollout of internal control initiatives across functional areas.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to process owners and senior management on internal control matters, offering guidance to strengthen governance and compliance practices.

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3. Control Testing and Deficiency Management

• Lead and execute periodic internal control testing, including walkthroughs and design/operational effectiveness evaluations.
• Identify control deficiencies, recommend corrective actions, and track remediation plans to ensure timely resolution.

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4. Policy & Procedure Governance

• Lead cross-functional discussions with Department Heads to gather input and align on upcoming policy changes, ensuring comprehensive, accurate, and timely implementation.
• Support the development and periodic review of internal policies and procedures in response to business or regulatory changes.

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5. Training and Awareness

• Deliver targeted training programs to local teams to promote understanding of internal controls, risk management, and compliance with J-SOX and other applicable frameworks.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement through knowledge-sharing and awareness initiatives.

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6. Audit and Regulatory Coordination

• Act as the key liaison for external auditors and regulatory bodies during internal control audits and inspections.
• Ensure audit readiness and support seamless execution of reviews by maintaining up-to-date and accurate documentation.

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7. Issue and Remediation Tracking

• Monitor and report on the status of open internal audit issues to prevent overdue remediation efforts.
• Maintain a centralized issue tracking system to prioritize and resolve audit findings efficiently and transparently.

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8. Reporting and Escalation

• Prepare regular reports for the Regional Internal Control Manager, highlighting control gaps, non-compliance instances, and status of remediation efforts.
• Ensure timely escalation of high-risk issues to regional or senior leadership, as necessary.

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9. ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Responsibilities

• Serve as the local point person for ESG-related internal control matters.
• Provide internal control insights and advisory on ESG initiatives to promote transparency, ethical conduct, and sustainable business practices.

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10. Data Privacy Oversight

• Act as the Data Privacy Officer, ensuring adherence to local and group-wide data privacy regulations and policies.
• Coordinate with legal, IT, and business units to manage privacy risks, incident response, and regulatory compliance.

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11. Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives

• Participate in or lead special projects that require internal control expertise, including systems implementation, process transformation, or compliance readiness.
• Offer control design recommendations to mitigate risks and enhance operational efficiency.

This position will enable you to work in a multinational group environment and to develop cross-functional knowledge by being the point of contact, for Internal Control and Audit matters for all departments in TPP.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or Master Degree in Accounting/Finance. CIA/CPA/CRM are a plus

Professional Experience:

• A relevant solid background in external and/or internal audit or other internal control related functions and demonstrated ability to define and implement a risk assessment and monitoring program.
• Experience in managing people (either as a reporting line or as a project team)
• Auditing experience
• Pharmaceutical industry experience is a plus

Core competencies:

• Leadership skills
• Good knowledge of internal control principles and risk management
• Good organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work interdependently within a team
• Good communication skills, both oral and written (Important to have good networking and influencing skills as this job is connected to several different functions)
• SAP/any ERP knowledge are a “plus”
• Able to create Business flow or flowchart are “plus”
• "Hands on" self-contributor

Personal Characteristics:

• Job commitment with integrity
• Adaptability to multi task and pressure handling
• Respect open communication and be good at interpersonal skills