Finance & Administration Specialist (Italy) (m/f)

SATO is a leading global provider of Auto-ID solutions that connect people, goods and information. It serves a diverse range of sectors to streamline operations, empower workforces and help customers reduce their environmental impact. Integrating auto-ID technologies with hardware as solutions, we tag identifiers to things and people at the site of business operations and feed data to IT systems for processing.

This role is suited for a highly motivated, energetic, and ambitious professional with a strong passion for business control, financial analysis, and Italian labor law administration. You will play a key role in consolidating and improving management reporting while supporting financial and HR administrative processes across Europe. The position offers significant responsibility and strong growth potential.

You will work closely with European accounting teams, support ERP-related initiatives (new system implementation), and act as a key user for system upgrades and e-invoicing projects. In addition, you will provide operational support to the European General Manager in driving continuous improvements across the European organization.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Controlling

• Prepare, review, and analyse monthly financial results, ensuring the accuracy of the P&L statement and Balance Sheet.

• Perform financial analysis and cost controlling for the Italian business, including variance analysis and identification of cost-saving opportunities.

• Conduct and monitor Italian KPI performance, analysing trends and supporting business decision-making.

• Develop and improve management reporting, providing timely and meaningful financial information to local and European management.

Budgeting & Planning

• Prepare annual budgets, periodic forecasts, and financial projections; monitor actual performance against budget.

• Support business decision-making with clear, fact-based financial insight.

Accounting & Closing

• Support month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely completion of all required activities.

• Reconcile balance sheet accounts and investigate variances to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records.

• Maintain and improve balance sheet reconciliation processes and strengthen internal financial controls.

• Coordinate Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and payment-related activities with external accounting providers and internal stakeholders.

Administration & Company Asset Management

• Manage company assets and their related costs and invoices, including company cars, fuel cards, highway toll devices, telephone contracts, office leases, and general internal purchases.

• Oversee relationships with service providers and suppliers for office and operational needs, ensuring cost control and timely invoice processing.

• Provide day-to-day administrative and operational support to the Branch Manager.

Tax, Audit & Compliance

• Prepare and review financial information required for tax reporting; collaborate with external tax advisors.

• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, reconciliations, and responding to audit requests.

• Support HR administrative activities related to Italian labour law, payroll coordination, employee documentation, and compliance with local employment regulations.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Act as key user for Oracle ERP, supporting system enhancements, ERP upgrades, and e-invoicing initiatives.

• Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to accounting processes, governance, and financial controls.

• Support the implementation and standardisation of finance processes across European entities, and participate in cross-functional finance projects.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Act as key user for Oracle ERP, supporting system enhancements, ERP upgrades, and e-invoicing initiatives.

• Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to accounting processes, governance, and financial controls.

• Support the implementation and standardisation of finance processes across European entities, and participate in cross-functional finance projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Management, Finance, or equivalent
• (alternatively: Chartered Accountant qualification or completed apprenticeship with relevant accounting experience)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a corporate or mid-sized international organization
• Solid experience working with ERP systems and the ability to quickly adapt to new systems
• Experience with Oracle ERP is preferred
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel
• Experience implementing and using Power BI for data analysis and reporting
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and analyze P&L statements, balance sheets, and management reports
• Good understanding of Italian labor law and HR administration processes
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility with a careful and systematic approach
• Excellent written and spoken Italian and English
• Comfortable working in an international environment with diverse cultures and mentalities

What do we offer:

• Be part of the next step in a growing subsidiary for an already well-established successful Japanese company (JTSE listed)

• Work in a dynamic working environment within a growing potential

• Competitive fixed salary, bonus plan, meal vouchers, pension scheme

• A laptop /a mobile phone for remote working arrangement