Master Data Specialist

The Master Data Specialist provides quality services to Novartis Group entities and are responsible for executing the maintenance of master data used in Novartis, on behalf of CTS customers. He/She is aligned to specific data objects within the Master Data process for all countries within the regional Master Data Management Tower scope. He/She plays a crucial role in a regional matrix organization by ensuring data is right at the point of entry as well as in identifying and addressing data quality issues and gaps to drive continuous improvement.
- This role supports the Japanese language specific master data end to end process within Novartis Global Service Center (NGSC), ensuring its quality and effectiveness. The role ensures that data validation, SAP master data management, data quality and analysis are in place and managed in accordance with defined data standards and operating procedures. This includes ensuring all necessary master data is available, accurate and compliant and providing regular and timely reporting to support CTS to enable improved performance, compliance and cost reduction.**Your Responsibilities include, but are not limited to**:

- Execute all master data changes within the system of record (e.g. SAP), ensuring creation and maintenance of finance related data objects, attributes and hierarchies (GL Management, Asset Management, Cost Centers, Profit Centers, Customer MD, Intercompany MD etc.), as defined by the Novartis Finance Core
- Validate language specific (Japanese) relevant documents such as customer certificate, bank information, request form, customer information and other documents required as per Finance Core guidelines.
- Japanese language specific master data such as customer, WBS, Internal Orders and Fixed Assets MD maintenance as per country requirements provided in job aid by ensuring control and compliance in place.
- Communication and coordination with Japanese team to resolve day to day activities in Japanese language.
- Ensure all necessary data is available, accurate and compliant, meeting the data standards defined by the Global Finance Master Data Management central team
- Ensure information supplied in the change request is complete and accurate per type of object and complies with the Global Master Data Management processes and related SOPs
- Ensure that applicable policies, processes and procedures are fully documented and consistently applied through the master data management lifecycle.
- Maintain process documentation for master data objects and share processes and technical knowledge and best practices openly to other team members, locally and globally
- Ensure that any guidelines, enhancements to existing procedures and escalation paths are properly followed for the execution of master data management activities
- Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for related data objects, their standards, policies and processes
- Deliver services at expected levels with a clear customer focus
- Deliver quality and productivity targets as well as contribute to the achievement of master data performance and quality standards as per defined SLAs
- Interact proactively with all functional areas of the NGSC to ensure appropriate master data management activities are accomplished, e.g. month end closing support, allocations MD maintenance, etc.
- Proactively challenge the status quo and comes up with making fact-based recommendations to drive continuous improvement
- Escalate data issues (process and/or technical) and conduct data impact assessments to ensure data quality is maintained to agreed standards.
- Work in conjunction with technical teams to resolve any technical related issue that affects master data integrity and processes
- Ensure compliance with Novartis Accounting Manual (NAM), Novartis Financial Controls Manual (NFCM) and regulatory requirements
- Promote a strong and control environment, follow up on audit issues and support the implementation of correcting measures
- Actively support the NGSC working style by being inclusive, proactive, respectful, and results driven in alignment with Novartis values and behaviors

**Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion**:

- Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve._

**Minimum requirements**

**Job Requirements**:

- University level degree in Business Administration/ Economics/Finance or IT related fields
- Fluent in Japanese, English both written and spoken
- 2-4 years of relevant experience, with good functional exposure to R2R and O2C processes from a finance master data management perspective.
- SAP knowledge: experience in SAP ECC and Business Information (BI).
- Familiarization with SAP MDG and accounting regulations
- Conceptual thinking and ability to align specific functional requirements with the overall MDM strategy
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-national organization
- Previ