Job Description

Transactional Finance Apprentice

MISSON

The Transactional Finance Apprentice supports the day-to-day running of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable across the UK&I business. You will gain experience in processing transactions, supporting payments and collections, and maintaining accurate financial records.

This is a development role suited to a motivated and detail-focused individual who is eager to learn, build relationships, and grow within a finance team while contributing to accurate and efficient financial processes.

ABOUT SHISEIDO GROUP

Our mission : Beauty Innovations for a Better World

Founded in 1872 in Japan, Shiseido Group is within the Top 5 leading cosmetics companies in the world and aims to inspire a life of beauty and culture. Operating in 120 countries with 42,000 employees and 70 nationalities, Shiseido offers a unique selection of Skincare, Makeup and Fragrance brands with a projected turnover over £7.0bn in 2022. Celebrating 150 years of heritage in 2022, Shiseido constantly creates high-quality, safe and innovative cosmetics and develop brands deeply loved by people from all over the world, in line with our mission: Beauty Innovations for a Better World. Did you know that Shiseido is the most awarded company in terms of innovation with a record 31 FSCC Awards?

ABOUT SHISEIDO

Founded in 1872 in Japan, Shiseido Group is within the Top 5 leading cosmetics companies in the world and aims to inspire a life of beauty and culture. Operating in 120 countries with 42,000 employees and 70 nationalities, Shiseido offers a unique selection of Skincare, Makeup and Fragrance brands with a projected £6.8bn turnover in 2021. Celebrating 150 years of heritage in 2022, Shiseido constantly creates high-quality, safe and innovative cosmetics and develop brands deeply loved by people from all over the world, in line with our mission: Beauty Innovations for a Better World.

Did you know that Shiseido is the most awarded company in terms of innovation with a record 26 FSCC Awards?

Shiseido UK & Ireland plays a central role in the EMEA region and is biggest affiliate, leading the Digital acceleration agenda thanks to a team of local experts, but is also constantly reinventing its Retail footprint in the world Nr4 biggest beauty market.

To deliver our strong Growth & Profitability ambitions, we will follow 4 strategic streams

1. Leverage our unique portfolio of premium Beauty brands across all 3 categories

2. Stay agile and capture new retail opportunities

3. Customer-driven decisions

4. Create a great place to work in Beauty

Our first strength is Make-up, led by NARS, UK’s Nr4 color brand with incredible success globally and that gained 4 rankings in the last 2 years thanks to its unique tone of voice and exceptional complexion and lip products.

Skincare is a key priority for expansion, with 5 very diverse and complementary brands covering the full scope of consumers needs and profiles. From brand Shiseido that is recognized for its uncompromising quality and showing huge growth potential in UK&I, to already iconic Drunk Elephant (+75% growth this year, about to enter Top10 Skincare) with its most sought-after formulations and Skin Smoothies, or the spectacular Clé de Peau Beauté that embodies the ultimate of stem-cell technology to the service of radiance. This year, we just launched ULÉ a newly created Skin-Tech brand with breakthrough credentials around Sustainability and botanical performance, as well as expanding Gallinée, our most recent acquisition from 2022 specialized around skin microbiome with unique patents.

We are also growing fast in Fragrance, a category we want to accelerate with leading Designers brands such as Issey Miyake, Narciso Rodriguez, Tory Burch, Zadig&Voltaire and Serge Lutens.

Year to date, October 23, SHISEIDO Group is the fastest growing Beauty Group in the UK market, both in Stores and Online. Our clients include high-street retailers such as department stores, beauty chains as well as online pure players and specialty stores. We also have 4 boutiques and 3 direct e-commerce websites. Our mix of sales is 55% online and 45% in brick & mortar.

ABOUT SHISEIDO BRAND

Recently voted as No5 most trusted brand in Health & Beauty worldwide, Shiseido has defined the concept of beauty and spread its knowledge and power across the world. Heralding an army of devoted followers, we feel that by inspiring empathy, beauty can become a positive force in the world, and guide the next generation boldly into the future.

ABOUT CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE

Clé de Peau Beauté, the premier luxury skincare and makeup brand from Shiseido Cosmetics, was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Forever guided by exquisite aesthetics and intelligence, Clé de Peau Beauté has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within.

ABOUT DRUNK ELEPHANT

We are committed to using only ingredients that either directly benefit the health of the skin or support the integrity of our formulations. We never take into account whether something is synthetic or natural, instead choosing ingredients based on biocompatibility.

ABOUT NARS

Created in 1994 in New York by visionary makeup artist François NARS, NARS Cosmetics is one of the leading and most respected brands in the world of makeup artistry.

ABOUT DESIGNER FRAGRANCES

Shiseido Group’s fragrance brands are a collection of luxurious and exciting fragrance brands, which are amongst the leaders in the UK market. From the edgy Zadig&Voltaire to the sensual and effortless delicacy of Narciso Rodriguez; and the intriguing mix of natural and sophistication in Issey Miyake. In selected distribution, we also have the unique collection from the extraordinary perfumer, Serge Lutens and more to come to the market.

ABOUT ULE

At Ulé we are on a mission to promote botanical, conscious beauty, being the first skincare brand to grow its ingredients in our own indoor high-tech vertical farm.

Our formulas are obtained through an avant-garde method of culture that guarantees the purity and power of the plants to give you more resilient skin. We have created a sustainable way of beauty for those who want to enjoy life to the fullest, in harmony with the environment.

ABOUT GALLINEE

At Gallinée we believe in working with your microbiome to help it to look after you. Our products contain a patented complex of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to nourish and support the good bacteria that make your own personal ecosystem. Helping them to look after even the most sensitive skin.

ORGANISATION

Reports to: Senior Accounts Payable Controller

Job Location: Shiseido Group London Head Office

Contract type: Permanent

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor and manage shared finance inboxes (AR, AP, and Expenses), ensuring queries are responded to in a timely and professional manner or escalated where appropriate.

• Support daily banking activities, including cash allocation and ensuring receipts are accurately recorded against customer accounts.

• Maintain and update weekly reporting trackers (e.g. debit notes), ensuring information is accurate and up to date.

• Carry out administrative tasks relating to debit notes, including logging, tracking, and supporting communication with relevant stakeholders.

• Support the team with query resolution, taking a common-sense approach to escalating issues to achieve timely and effective outcomes.

• Assist with core transactional finance activities, including debit note processing, recharges, cash allocation, and basic reconciliations.

• Provide support during audit processes, responding to requests and gathering required documentation as directed by the team.

• Work collaboratively as part of the team, building knowledge and providing day-to-day support to colleagues where needed.

• Produce and share weekly reports to the wider business (e.g. outstanding purchase orders and approvals), helping to minimise delays in invoice processing and payment.

• Process supplier invoices, ensuring they are accurately recorded, matched to approved purchase orders, and comply with company policies.

• Support the set-up and maintenance of supplier records in the finance system, ensuring data is accurate and complete.

• Ensure all transactions are processed in line with internal controls, policies, and procedures.

• Maintain accurate and organised financial records and documentation to support audit and reporting requirements.

• Assist in identifying process improvements and support the team in implementing changes.

• Build an understanding of end-to-end transactional finance processes across Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Expenses.

PROFILE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Strong attention to detail with good levels of accuracy and organisation

• A proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Basic understanding of numeracy and financial concepts (e.g. through education or previous experience)
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively in a busy environment
• A team player with a positive and collaborative approach
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Ability to follow processes and procedures while maintaining accuracy
• Willingness to ask questions and escalate issues where appropriate
• Alignment with the group’s “Trust8” working principles: Think Big, Take Risks, Hands on, Collaborate, Be Open, Act with Integrity, Be Accountable, Applaud Success