Project Finance Manager

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets.

Position Overview:

• The primary responsibilities include but not limited to, managing the activities of the finance and accounting function, ensure compliance with local tax requirement, managing internal and external reporting, support local sales team on sales activities(credit review, margin tracking, contract terms review(finance related)...), forecasting, and compliance with all applicable financial reporting requirements (GAAP etc…), supporting Corporate initiatives, building organizational capability within the finance and sales operation function, providing leadership and direction to the commercial team in the pursuit of business objectives.
• The role is responsible for managing all finance and accounting activities, ensuring compliance with local tax, statutory, and corporate requirements, and maintaining the integrity of financial reporting. The Finance Manager serves as a strategic business partner to the commercial and operations teams by supporting project bidding, contract review and negotiation of finance-related terms, credit management, project margin tracking, working capital optimization, forecasting, and business decision-making. In addition, the role drives continuous process improvements, strengthens internal controls, and builds organizational capabilities to support sustainable business growth in Japan.
• This position will report to East Asia Commercial Controller and dot line report to Japan Country Manager.

What you’ll do:

• Act as a strategic business partner to the commercial team by supporting project bidding activities, reviewing customer credit limits, evaluating financial, commercial, and contractual risks, participating in project contract review (including bank guarantees) and negotiation of finance-related terms, supporting pricing decisions, monitoring project margin performance throughout the project lifecycle, and ensuring appropriate commercial and risk management processes are in place to support sound business decisions and profitable growth.
• Understand business needs and challenges and provide financial guidance to sales and operation team on profitability improvement, working capital optimization, cost control, risk management, process improvements, and key business decisions.
• Support country manager on financial planning, forecasting, scenario analysis, and strategic initiatives to drive profitable growth and improve overall business performance.
• Manage and support finance and accounting activities for the business, lead monthly closing, perform monthly financial reporting and analysis, and manage cash flow and working capital to support business growth and operational efficiency.
• Prepare and present financial results, forecasts, and business insights to the leadership team, including monthly business reviews and management updates. Monitor performance against plans, identify deviations, and recommend corrective actions to achieve financial and operational targets.
• Review and analyze financial data and information to ensure accuracy, consistency, transparency, and integrity of financial reporting for the organization.
• Manage and ensure compliance with all local tax requirements, including VAT, WHT, CIT, tax filings, tax audits, and statutory reporting obligations.
• Interpret, implement, and monitor corporate policies and procedures, ensuring financial reporting complies with GAAP, local statutory requirements, and internal control standards. Support internal and external audits and drive timely resolution of audit findings.
• Build people, process, and system capabilities to drive continuous improvement, process standardization, automation, digital transformation, and enhanced internal controls across Finance, Supply Chain, and Customer Service functions.
• Support ad hoc finance and business projects, including system upgrades, ERP implementations, legal entity initiatives, business transformation projects, and other corporate initiatives.

Qualifications:

• CPA qualified.
• At least 5 years’ finance manager experience.
• Experience in a similar industry and international exposure would be highly advantageous.
• Must have a proven track record in financial management and accounting, preferably developed in a distribution, import/export or product-related environment.
• Suitable candidates will possess broad accounting skills and should ideally be highly computer literate.
• Knowledge of US GAAP.
• Familiarity with the Japan statutory reporting requirements in both accounting and tax requirement.
• Strong commercial knowledge can support customer credit and contract payment term review.
• Experience in SAP(ECC) is preferred.
• Fluent in both English and Japanese, with excellent communication skills.
• Possesses good interpersonal relationship skills and influencing ability.
• Proven track record in staff management and extensive experience in a sales and marketing and distribution environment.

At Eaton, we don’t just want to offer you a job, but a journey and experience. Our goal is to give you the space to find that sweet spot where your passion meets purpose.