Human Resources Assistant - Expatriate

CAREER OPPORTUNITY – INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO.

Sr Expatriate Assistant – NYC (Midtown)

WHO WE ARE

Sojitz Corporation of America (SCA) is the regional headquarters for Sojitz, a general trading company based in Tokyo, Japan. With a history dating back to 1892, Sojitz is engaged in a wide range of businesses globally, including buying, selling, importing, and exporting goods, manufacturing and selling products, providing services, and planning and coordinating projects, in Japan and overseas. Sojitz also invests in various sectors and conducts financing activities. The broad range of sectors in which Sojitz operations includes automobiles, energy, mineral resources, chemicals, foodstuff resources, agricultural and forestry resources, consumer goods, and industrial parks.

WHAT WE OFFER

The company administers personnel matters for a group of 50+ expatriate (mostly Japanese) employees positioned across different business and locations throughout the US & Canada. We handle everything from visas/immigration to relocation, payroll, and benefits administration. For the right person this position offers a unique opportunity to learn a broad range of tasks associated with international employment, and be the primary day to day contact for our expatriate staff. The People Operations team at Sojitz is a fun and highly engaged group of people who are passionate about creating a great employee experience for all our employees.

The Human Resources Assistant - Expatriate works closely with the Payroll and Benefits team as well as the People Operations team across a number of areas, providing administrative support for the entire expatriate employment life cycle from assignment origin until repatriation.

In addition to training, we offer a stable environment focused on the long term, and an experienced group of colleagues that are always willing to teach and grow each other.

Specific Areas of Responsibility:

Coordinates the expatriate program:

Coordinates expatriate transfers to and from Japan by providing the following:

• Updates data base for arrival and departure, by collecting data from regional and Japan HQ
• Employee support letters as appropriate for different visa types
• Offboard employee and family when returning to Japan or transferring to different city.
• Onboard employee and family to support expatriate’s and family’s smooth transition

Responsible for payroll:

• Coordinate and work with consultant tax return procedure for each expatriate
• Complete and maintain the Master list, which mentions status of tax return, necessary documents, and record of past years.
• Responses to questions from expatriates by communicating with tax consultant and HQ HR.
• Inputs into tax return result into SAP and arrange disbursements to expatriates when necessary
• Maintain worksheet detailing current and historical wages for all expatriates under the Sojitz Corporation of America umbrella
• Manages the administrative operation of the expatriate program:
• Reply inquiries from expatriates regarding the expatriate program, communicating with headquarters and other related parties.
• Track various reimbursement requests and ensure that accurate records are maintained and that reimbursements are paid out timely
• Prepare tax return seminar done by SCAHR and KPMG jointly.
• Coordinate with tax consultant and expatriates (or POA signer) to finalize tax filing procedure. Track return status and maintain careful records around returns due
• Other related administrative tasks such as bookkeeping
• Maintain information around expatriate visas and I94 expiration dates

Provide administrative and general support to the HR & General Affairs Department

• Processes expenses related to expatriate program, i.e., payment instructions for expenses and reimbursement for the HR Department.
• Each month complete and compile a full directory list for all employees in the region.
• Assists with special projects, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude, strong verbal and communications skills with clients and coworkers.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and work as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of general accounting/bookkeeping principles.
• Ability to recognize and adjust routine accounting entry errors.
• Must possess basic analytical skills, meet deadlines and maintain confidential information.
• Organizational and time management skills required.
• Minimum three years’ experience.
• Fluency in Japanese: speak/read/write.
• Proficient in SAP, Concur, Microsoft Office (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint).