PGM Controller, SAP and Procurement responsible

Japan - Tsukuba (UJ)
Precious Metals Chemistry
Process & Product Development

Posted on 26-09-2024

About Umicore 

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Powering the cars of the future. Giving new life to used metals. We are the leading circular materials technology company fulfilling its mission to create materials for a better life. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do? 

About Precious Metals Chemistry 

Life-enhancing chemistry. Umicore is an expert in metals-based catalysis for applications that improve our quality of life. Automotive emission treatment technologies, active pharmaceutical ingredients for cancer treatments, the production of fine chemicals and advanced electronics – all are made possible by our organometallic technology know-how. To bring the magic of metal-based chemistry and catalysis to new customers and new applications we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in. 

What you will be doing 

The PGM Controller minimises the financial risk of precious metal movements within the Tsukuba facility and the associated PGM refining flows.  The position monitors and ensures accountability for the PGM flows in close cooperation with the operations and quality control teams, auditing results, performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.  This position leads the PGM inventory counts and reconciliations.The control of refining flows is critical task for metals management including close monitoring of the variance between theoretical losses, and our refining recovery expectation versus the actual recovery.  Analysis and determination of root causes for these variations and corrective actions to improve and correct.  Frequently review the commercial terms of refining. The PP/QM module and BOM’s needs to maintained and updated for new products and including periodic review of products and process flows. Procurement task is for all raw materials except PGM.  The management of incoming goods and suppliers are also important tasks.  The supplier audit also shall be done.

• PGM control of the complete metal processing flows including external refining flows, and ensure that each metal processing step is timely and accurately booked in SAP
• Precise control of PGM loss per product and metal.  Regular calculation of theoretical metal loss per product is essential, comparison with actual losses, review of key production loss factors, investigation of deviations, taking action for improvement, communication of losses to the sales team
• Action to optimise the PGM inventories to avoid / reduce leasing costs.  WIP control, improving DIO, control on quick processing of refining streams, recommendation on optimal size of production orders versus sales orders where necessary
• PGM result budgeting and reporting.  Budget calculation of metal results, reporting on the reasons / main impacts on actual metal results and deviations versus budget
• Leads and organises the physical inventory counts 2 times per year, including stock take schedule, nominate people in charge, analysing differences, offset actual and theoretical losses, ensure the correct recognition in metal accounting, communicate the MIS status to management, recommendation on unsold boni
• Ensures timely and accurate update of product standard costs and necessary inputs (BOM, work centers, rate routings calculation, update of activity prices and overhead rates; conducting std costing runs), correct allocation of actual costs.  Variance analysis
• Close cooperation with PMC global PGM Controlling in Hanau on all metal related subjects.  Alignment on processes in metal controlling and accounting to assure compliance with group policy
• Solves PP/QM SAP troubles if the influence to move to next process or delivery to customers
• Manage procurement of raw materials except PGM.  The criteria of replenishment for each raw material to be reviewed
• Set up incoming inspection for raw materials except PGM
• Execute supplier audit, target to be 2companies per year

Who we are looking for 

<Functional Requirements>

• 5+ years related experience in the chemical or manufacturing industry in technical position, operating with an ERP system
• Working experience with SAP MM, CO, PP, strong Umicore IT knowledge
• Expert office computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Very good understanding of production processes
• Knowledge of precious metal controlling processes and principles
• Experience working in an internationally operating company
• Openness and working experience in multi-cultural environment
• University degree, Major in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration is preferred
• Language skills: Japanese skills required and strong English skills is preffered

<Personal Skills>

• Very good interpersonal and clear communication skills; oral, written and presentation.
• Excellent analytical capabilities and problem-solving skills. 
• Independent thinking, self-motivation, stress resilience
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure especially at month / year end
• Establishes good relationships with the leadership team and staff.
• Innovative spirit, which searches for continuous improvements.
• Intercultural awareness, understanding of different business practices in the relevant culture

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?