Job Description
Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.
Lead the Japan finance operations team and provide clear direction, prioritization, coaching, and performance management
Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, review of key movements, and reporting deliverables
Take ownership of balance sheet integrity, including cash, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, accruals, provisions, and other key accounts
Support and coordinate finance operations activities across general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and treasury-related processes, and help resolve issues and set priorities across the end-to-end finance cycle
Prepare, review, and explain financial statements, management reports, and reporting packages with clear commentary on variances, trends, and risks
Work closely with FP&A and business teams on forecasting and budgeting, especially for balance sheet and cash flow items
Manage internal and external audit activities, including preparation of requested documents, responses to audit questions, and follow-up on improvement actions
Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, tax requirements, statutory requirements, and relevant accounting standards
Partner with Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, HR, and other functions to improve financial accuracy, strengthen controls, and support decision-making
Drive process improvement, standardization, and automation using Microsoft Dynamics 365, Excel, and other reporting tools
Act as a trusted finance partner for Japan management and regional stakeholders, communicating clearly in both English and Japanese
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree or above, or equivalent practical experience in accounting, finance, or related business functions
7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience
Strong hands-on experience in end-to-end financial close
Solid experience in balance sheet management and account reconciliations
Experience supporting or owning forecasting and budgeting activities
Clear understanding of the full company close process, including reporting, controls, audit, and statutory compliance
Experience leading others, including work allocation, review, coaching, and follow-up to ensure quality and deadlines
Manager, team lead, or equivalent leadership experience in a finance, accounting, or controllership environment
ERP experience such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar, and strong Excel skills
Business-level English, with the ability to communicate with regional and global stakeholders
Preferred: CPA, USCPA, Japan Bookkeeping (Nissho) Level 2 or above, or equivalent finance / accounting qualification