Regional Tax Manager

Your role

The Regional Tax Manager oversees the APAC tax operations with the focus on Japan, Greater China, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and some other countries in the region. The Regional Tax Manager reports directly to Group Tax and the Regional Financial Controller. This includes overseeing and improving processes and reporting related to tax compliance and planning, staying abreast of technical tax and accounting issues and improving the overall tax control environment of the companies in the Region. Direct and oversee all aspects of the tax function including assisting with preparation and review of the corporate tax provisions, tax planning and ensuring compliance with all required country, state, local, property and other applicable taxes and filings (excl., payroll and personal taxes). Ensure that the financial books related to taxes are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards. Facilitate statutory and Group financial statement audits from a tax perspective, as well as local tax controversy and dispute resolution.

Regional Tax Manager will be focusing on the following four areas:

1. Local tax compliance and reporting with the support of 3PSP for global tax compliance. Regional Tax manager will be required to provide in-depth technical review and sign-off on tax positions together with the Regional / Local Financial Controller.
2. Local tax controversy and authority relationships management. This includes regular communications with tax authorities in countries in scope, preparation for and management of tax audits, addressing routine information requests, as well as regular communication with Group Tax.
3. Facilitate cash repatriation and explore tax and external consultancy spend optimization opportunities. This includes settlement of intercompany (IC) transactions and flows (IC services, royalties, IC financing, dividend distribution) and compliance with local regulatory requirements and practices, related transactional taxes, etc.
4. Facilitate central projects by bringing local tax perspective and drive local implementation e.g., internal restructurings, the Lipton's Operating Model changes such as new trading routes, M&A, etc.

Your key responsibilities will include (but not limited to) the following activities in line with the focus areas described above:

• Become a part of the Lipton Global Tax Organization responsible for tax matters (excl., payroll and personal taxes) in the APAC region (Japan, Greater China, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and some other countries).
• Together with Group Tax ensure that applicable TP policies are followed and all IC transactions are executed correctly and at arm's length (incl., legal agreements, IC invoices, year-end TP adjustments). In the EU LIPTON operates the Principal model.
• From time-to-time advise on tax implications in relation to the proposed changes to the Operating Model (in close cooperation with Group Tax).
• Gather and analyse data and review provisional and final corporate income tax (CIT) filings (with the support of 3PSP).

• Gather and analyse data and review VAT and Intrastat returns due (with the support of 3PSP).

• Gather and analyse data and review tax filings for local taxes, levies and charges in scope e.g., property taxes, etc. (compliance outsourced to 3PSP).
• Gather data and comply with the local WHT regulations (both cross-border and domestic WHT).
• Manage and review the transfer pricing Local files (with the support of 3PSP and Group Tax).

• Prepare quarterly and annual tax provisions and submit Tax reporting packs to Group Tax.

• Review and maintain tax accounts (GLs) and submit to Global Accounting and Reporting Department.

• Prepare tax position papers and address any questions related to the annual Group FS audit done by Group auditor.

• Handle state notices, tax audits, appeals and litigations, if any. Advise on related movements in tax provisions.

• Prepare and maintain various tax documents such Pillar 2 notifications, CbCR notifications, WHT exemption certificates, if necessary (with the support of 3PSP and/ or Group Tax).
• Facilitate ERP, tax automation and operational efficiency projects such as introduction of e-invoicing, automated tax reporting, etc. (with the support of 3PSP and/ or Group Tax).

Stakeholder management and key interfaces:

• Cross functional teams Supply Chain, HR, Marketing, R&I
• Group Tax and Group Finance
• Various 3PSPs for tax and legal compliance and advisory
• Group and statutory auditors
• Tax authorities in countries in scope

Skills and experience:

• Seasoned corporate tax expert with the APAC countries relevant expertise and experience. Preferably with Big-4 experience as well as in-house (as part of a larger in-house tax department).
• Experience with working with and managing relationships with third party vendors such as auditors and regulators.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work and effectively communicate with all levels of management.
• Knowledge of Chinese and/or Japanese is a plus.
• Highly motivated, a self-starter and a team player willing to take responsibility.
• Ability to meet commitments in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with SAP / S4HANA would be a plus.
• Travel <10%.

What's in it for you

We believe that growth is for everyone, we believe in growing leaders, and we believe in making space to grow an owner's mentality. Like nature, we adapt, we change, and we grow. We believe in connections over hierarchies and work levels. We have a corporate start-up approach; we act with speed and agility, and we have the strength and scale of a large corporation. We are building a better world of wellbeing, and a better you.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation including bonus and pension
• High exposure to senior leadership and shareholders