Job Summary

This position is part of a team responsible for the end-to-end Plan-to-Forecast (P2F) and Reporting processes. This role will support the Financial Reporting/Planning team, applying in depth system, financial process, and master data knowledge. This also requires demonstrated expertise regarding integration of the solution with SAP and other systems within the Finance landscape. This role will support users of the planning tool ensuring positive user experience. The role ensures that the solution is operating with strong controls, data validation procedures, and security. This position requires the ability to apply independent judgment and critical thinking skills to address difficult issues while meeting deadlines. The role will receive and address escalated or complex questions and issues and escalate further where necessary and as appropriate to bring to timely resolution.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence of Service Line

• Provide support for the regional GBS USSC scope of the relevant end-to-end P2F process and in-scope reporting services
• Support the regional process to develop and manage the annual, long range, and periodic forecasts. Prepare and manage the regional forecast plan; collaborate with contributors to ensure timely completion of milestones; support users in creating reports, maintaining templates, and uploading data
• Analyze and constantly monitor cost structures, cost types and cost centers; gather data and measures for accurate budgeting and cost management including charges; ensure adherence to budgetary, forecasting and transfer pricing guidelines etc. Identify discrepancies in costs, proactively derive, align and implement measures to ensure an exhaustive, timely and fully compliant P2F service process according to agreed activity splits. Ensure a robust validation and reconciliation of data as well as full accuracy, correctness and timeliness of all reports in the scope of the regional GBS. Ensure data accuracy and leverage data analytics tools where applicable in the regional scope of GBS. Role will also assist in validating the transfer of data between systems
• Prepare benefits forecast analysis and share trends and anomalies with the Finance Business partners. Support the process of allocating benefits expense in each forecast cycle. Prepare analyses to review forecast parameters such as vacancy rate, etc.
• Troubleshoot and resolve daily user support tickets and errors in Plan to Forecast area. Make recommendations for preventing issues in the future by analyzing root causes and assisting in bringing those recommendations to fruition
• Ensure procedures, work instructions, training, forms, intranet/share point documents are updated and relevant; create new documents as needed

Projects/Change Management

• Participate in projects to optimize the P2F and reporting activities and the development of the GBS USSC. Collaborate with the GPO and local Finance and business staff to propose improvements. Be accountable for the implementation of continuous improvement of the end-to-end process and other services in the scope of responsibility and in close cooperation with the Global Process Owner (GPO), Regional CoE, and other stakeholders
• Be a change leader in support of various initiatives. Proactively engage with the team, interfacing functions, global counterparts, and internal customers to endorse the need for change and address concerns
• Prepare communications and training related to new/updated process and/or system functionality and deliver to stakeholders and customers
• Test and validate system upgrades, reports, and data integrations

Specialized knowledge/capabilities

• Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of concepts and practices not only within P2F but also in other functional and business areas which is used in the normal course of business to prepare forecasts and provide subject matter guidance
• Stay current with the new developments in the marketplace, new technology capabilities (i.e. predictive forecasting, etc.), and personnel expense/benefit parameters in order to provide strategic direction to the P2F team and meaningful support to the region

Cross training and Development

• Cross train in various areas to provide rotational, assigned, and/or backup support as needed

Responsibilities Continued

Qualifications

Education Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree Accounting, Finance, Business or other relevant area of study required

Experience Qualifications
4 or More Years Business analysis, financial planning, financial systems, or other related areas required
In-depth knowledge of SAP required
Proficiency in Excel, Word, Powerpoint required
In-depth knowledge of Master Data, and Planning tools/processes preferred
Proven track record of problem solving and issue resolution preferred
Exposure to pharmaceutical industry and PHARMA guidelines preferred

Additional Information