Job Details

Business Analyst

We are seeking a highly analytical and collaborative Business Analyst to support business and financial planning, performance analysis, cross-functional initiatives, and executive decision-making. This role serves as a strategic partner across departments, enabling data-driven improvements in profitability and operational efficiency. This is a strategic role reporting to the President.

Business & Financial Planning:

• Lead and coordinate the annual budgeting process with accounting and operations teams.
• Analyze financial and operational performance to deliver actionable insights for executive leadership.
• Support the assessment and validation of business plans, investments, and operational strategies.

Profitability & Cost Management:

• Collaborate with Accounting, Production, and Supply Chain teams on cost and margin analysis.
• Lead the development and evaluation of pricing strategies, including impact modeling and performance monitoring.
• Identify, develop, and implement cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives across sales, distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing.

Cross-Functional Business Support:

• Act as a business and financial thought partner to Sales, Logistics, Warehouse, and Production/Manufacturing teams.
• Translate operational challenges into financial and strategic implications, providing recommendations for improvement.
• Foster departmental alignment around profitability-focused decision making.

Liaison & Communication:

• Serve as a key liaison with global headquarters, aligning on financial performance, budgeting, and strategic goals.
• Support consistency and transparency in financial reporting with the accounting team.
• Facilitate communication and alignment with affiliated entities and external partners as required.

Executive Decision Support:

• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations for executive and leadership meetings.
• Advise executive management with objective, data-driven perspectives.
• Assist leadership with balancing near-term results and long-term organizational goals.
• Take on special projects and other duties as assigned by executive leadership.

Organizational Positioning:

• This position does not perform routine accounting activities.
• No direct reports.
• Success is measured by outcomes, improvements in profitability, and quality of decision support, not by team size.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Experience:

• Fluency in Japanese (native level) and business-level English.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• Advanced understanding of financial principles and the ability to interpret business results.
• Proven experience with:
• Budgeting and budget management
• Cost/margin analysis
• Supporting cross-functional business initiatives
• International communication (especially Japan/U.S.)
• Preferred:
• Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, CBAP, or equivalent).
• Experience in manufacturing, food & beverage, or consumer packaged goods sectors.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics GP or similar).
• Experience supporting senior executives, particularly in international subsidiaries.

Key Competencies:

• Strong business acumen focused on profitability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to influence across departments without direct authority.
• High degree of analytical ability paired with proactive execution.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across cultures and functions.
• Independent, accountable, and self-driven working style.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training.