Ai SATO
L'Oréal North America, BEST Florida
Salt Lake City,UT
3
Languages
16
years of professional experience
Strategic finance leader with over 15 years of experience in FP&A, Finance Master Data management and auditing at top tier global companies.
Demonstrated expertise in ERP systems, P&L management and internal controls.
Ambitious and driven, diligent and a team player, proven success in leading cross-functional teams, optimizing processes and driving financial performance.
Work History
Director Finance, Head of Finance Master Data
3 Years 8 Months- Set up and lead of Finance Master Data management team of Zone North America (USA, Canada, Caribbean islands, Travel Retail NA) ensuring quality, consistency and integrity of finance master data
- Finance Master Data creation and maintenance in SAP ECC and SAP S/4 Hana
- Troubleshoot of master data integration issues and data analysis
- Implementation of Key controls
- SME and Key User of SAP S/4 project
- Project - implementation of ticketting tool (design, UAT, training, hypercare), stabilization of Operating model
Head of Finance, FP&A
3 Years 10 Months- 2.5 years in Professional products division in charge of Kerastase, Redken, Pureology, Shu Uemura P&Ls and 1.5 year in Luxury products division Corporate
- Finance business partner and key stakeholder in the brand's management committee managing the financial aspects of the brand's plans, budgets and trends
- Financial expert managing the brand's P&L, managing the sell-in forecasts and results, evaluating the media investment and the sell-out performance, approving the launches of new products and their pricing and profitability
- Finance lead on transformational projects
- Team leader
Senior Commercial Controller, FP&A
3 Years 1 Month- Business partner: 'right hand' to the Customer Business Director in the implementation of CPD commercial strategy by providing the most accurate and reliable data to the management - review of customer reporting, budget and trend in PLC, quarterly target review, finance lead in monthly and quarterly Customer maximisation meeting and Customer Strategy meeting
- Financial control guardian: Deal to cash management, balance sheet review, pricing management
- In charge of month-end closing
Deputy Financial Controller, FP&A
2 Years 6 Months- Key role in product launch decisions through profitability analysis
- In charge of budgeting, monitoring and controlling revenues, margins and slow-moving / obsolete stocks
- In charge of month-end closing and monthly reporting
Senior Financial Auditor
3 YearsWithin Retail & Consumer Markets Department, lead numerous audit engagements (IFRS, French GAAP or US GAAP financial statements)
Education
Master of Science
Master Degree - Diploma of Accounting and Management
Master of Science - Corporate Finance
Graduated from a three-year Master’s Programme at a leading French business school (Grande Ecole)
- Corporate Accounting and Finance
IMBA Program, Exchange semester
Skills
Business partnering
financial data analysis
budgeting
reporting
financial controls
accounting principles
Proficiency with master data management tools and systems
Project management
Languages: English
French
Japanese
ERP : SAP ECC
SAP S/4 Hana
Magnitude
TM1
MARS
CAS
IT skills: Excel
Powerpoint
Word
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Native or Bilingual
Japanese
Native or Bilingual
Accomplishments
- Set up the North America Finance Master Data team at L'Oréal NA
- Implemented forecasting tool and request workflow
- Adapted to diverse roles and changing working environments
- Key financial player in launching new E-commerce strategy
Timeline
Director Finance, Head of Finance Master Data
L'Oréal North America, BEST Florida
02.2023 - CurrentRead More
Head of Finance, FP&A
L'Oréal UK & Ireland
04.2019 - 02.2023Read More
Senior Commercial Controller, FP&A
L'Oréal UK & Ireland
03.2016 - 04.2019Read More
Deputy Financial Controller, FP&A
L'Oréal France
09.2013 - 03.2016Read More
Senior Financial Auditor
KPMG France Audit S.A.
09.2010 - 09.2013Read More
University of South Carolina
from Corporate Accounting and Finance
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DSCG
Master of Science
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ESCP Europe
Master of Science from Corporate Finance
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