Senior Finance Manager @ Kohler Ventures in Palo Alto, CA

Kohler Ventures is an independent company wholly owned by Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath, power generation, and hospitality. Our mission is to build new digital businesses that empower consumers to lead healthier lives. We explore how familiar experiences can be enhanced and innovations developed through the integration of leading-edge technology, science, and design. Come join us as we build a best-in-class global multi-disciplinary team across artificial intelligence, machine learning, design, advanced software and hardware engineering, strategy, venture investments, sales, marketing, and partnerships. 

Sr. Finance Manager is reporting directly to the Managing Director – Kohler Ventures. The role is responsible for timely consolidation and reporting for the Kohler Venture business; maintaining and enhancing the financial reporting structure; tax reporting and compliance; providing support for decision-making as well as insight to strategic plans; managing the financial controls and systems to maintain compliance. Ensure the role is executed in alignment with Kohler Co. policies, procedures, and matrixed organization structure. The role must maintain the highest level of integrity and candor to all key management levels of the business. The position is responsible for safeguarding the assets of Kohler Co., and in addition, assist in overseeing policy, procedure, people and process development.

Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure the accurate and timely posting of month-end transactions to meet the company’s reporting deadlines and internal controls protocols. Responsible for all consolidation and reporting to the Kohler Ventures Board and Kohler Co.
• Responsible for keeping the financial records in accordance with local statutory requirements; Korean GAAP, U.S. GAAP and Kohler Co.  These requirements are to be consistently applied from period to period.  Maintain a timely documented balance sheet reconciliation process.
• Responsible for maintaining relationships, internal or third party, ensuring the filing of accounts and returns in accordance with the local statutory requirements, including annual accounts, corporate tax return and VAT return (or equivalent). Ensuring that tax liabilities are computed accurately, and payments made in accordance with statutory deadlines, considering the local country and cross border requirements.
• Manage and coordinate the external Auditors for Kohler Ventures, liaising and coordinating with the external consultants on all local tax & statutory matters, including local tax audits.   Responsible for maintaining and enhancing the system of internal controls for the business.  You will be the primary contact for both external and internal audits, which includes planning, filed work requests and post audit debriefs.  Use feedback from internal and external auditors to identify internal control weaknesses. Review user access rights to finance systems where segregation of duty conflicts may occur.
• Assisting the SSC (Shared Service Centre) functions with any technical accounting & tax matters regarding accounts payables, receivables, credit control or payroll and expenses for the local business entities.
• Approval of Treasury payments to all suppliers and associates for the Kohler Ventures business.
• Responsible for working with the Insurance Brokers and Kohler Co. in ensuring the company is adequately insured.
• Own the forecasting and planning process, including the monthly forecast and the annual financial/strategic plan and bi-annual capital plan. Ensure that financial targets are in place and that actions have been identified and consideration given throughout the strategic planning period to deliver and afford these.
• Overall responsibility for the product and service costing methodologies for the business including standard cost processes where appropriate.
• Responsible for coordinating and producing the monthly results and analysis for the Kohler Ventures business.  Maintain consistent presentation of information and comparative data.  Responsible for bridging comparative results. The financial information is to be made available to the business and Kohler Co. management on a timely basis.
• Responsible for the operating cash flow management of the business. This responsibility is to be performed in alignment with Kohler Co. Treasury and the Shared Service Centre, where appropriate.
• Be the finance lead, supporting the Production Director with the annual stock takes, ensuring processes are followed to satisfy our external auditors.
• Complete complex accounting projects as assigned, including ACT’s and responsible for ensuring the business is compliant, and driving the changes where necessary.
• Responsible for continuously improving the businesses financial processes from a quality and productivity perspective.  Use benchmarking and best practice information to gain perspective.  Use of disciplined continuous improvement techniques is encouraged as a core competency.
• Maintain the highest level of honesty and integrity.  Expect and promote that same level of honesty and integrity in the supporting staff. Display the core competencies of the business and promote in others.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of Accounting or Finance required; MBA preferred.
• CPA is preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years in related positions in finance and 5 years in managerial position are required.
• Proven supervisory skills and shown ability to work with Senior Management.
• Experience in a startup business would be beneficial.
• Working at a senior leadership level with experiences in strategic development.
• Global experience is highly preferred.
• This newly created position will be responsible for all aspects of finance for the global Kohler Ventures business, and therefore must be available for frequent travel to all sites on a regular basis, approximately 2 international trips per quarter.

The approved base salary range for this position is $146K-$202K. The actual base salary offered to a candidate may be higher than the approved range. This will vary depending on a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. This position is subject to Area Salary Differential (Cost of Living Adjustment) that ranges from 24.5%-30% of base salary for Northern CA. The approved base salary range including ASD for this position is $182K-$262K depending on location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus and a special project incentive.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision and 401k.