About the Client
A group of companies based in Malaysia involved in various business sectors including automotive, manufacturing, information technology, food and beverage, beauty and health care, agriculture and distribution. Today, the Group has expanded its outreach throughout Asia and Europe
About the Role:
We are looking for Tax Planning Manager to play a commercial, deal-focused role supporting the Group's M&A, investments, restructuring, and regional expansion across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong focus on Southeast Asia.
This role sits close to decision-making, working alongside Corporate Finance, Legal, and senior management to structure transactions efficiently, manage tax risks pragmatically, and optimize post-deal outcomes. The role is ideal for candidates transitioning from Big 4 tax advisory / M&A tax into an in-house, commercially driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
M&A, Investments & Restructuring (Core Focus)
- Act as the tax lead for M&A transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, and minority investments.
- Advise on deal structuring, including share vs asset deals, holding structures, financing structures, and profit repatriation.
- Perform and/or review tax due diligence, identifying deal risks, exposures, contingencies, and value-creation opportunities.
- Work closely with Corporate Finance and Legal teams on SPA tax clauses, warranties, indemnities, and completion mechanics.
- Support post-acquisition integration, restructuring, and tax optimization initiatives.
- Advise management on exit structuring and divestment strategies.
Commercial Tax Planning (In-House Focus)
- Design and implement practical, business-driven tax planning strategies aligned with commercial objectives.
- Support regional business units on tax implications of new products, pricing models, supply chain changes, and expansion plans.
- Evaluate tax efficiency of group structures, intercompany arrangements, and financing flows.
- Provide clear, actionable tax advice to non-tax stakeholders (management, operations, business heads).
International & Regional Tax Management
- Manage tax matters across multiple jurisdictions, particularly Southeast Asia (e.g. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines).
- Assess cross-border tax implications including withholding taxes, tax treaties, permanent establishment risks, and profit repatriation.
- Work with external advisors to address country-specific tax issues while maintaining a group-wide perspective.
Transfer Pricing & Intercompany Matters
- Oversee commercial aspects of transfer pricing frameworks, ensuring alignment with business reality.
- Review intercompany charges (management fees, service fees, royalties, cost allocations) from a value-creation and risk perspective.
- Coordinate preparation of transfer pricing documentation with advisors where required.
Governance, Risk & Stakeholder Management
- Partner with external tax advisors (Big 4 and local firms) on complex or high-risk matters.
- Support tax audits, enquiries, and negotiations with tax authorities.
- Contribute to group tax governance, risk management, and internal controls.
- Prepare concise tax papers and recommendations for senior management and Board discussions.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, Economics, or related disciplines.
- Professional qualification (ACCA, CPA, CTA, ICAEW, etc.) is an advantage.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in M&A tax, international tax, or transaction tax OR Big 4 tax advisory with strong deal exposure, followed by in-house experience.
- Big 4 background is strongly preferred, particularly in M&A / International Tax.
- Proven exposure to cross-border transactions and multi-country tax jurisdictions, especially in Southeast Asia.
- Experience working closely with Corporate Finance, Legal, and senior management is highly desirable.
- Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance tax efficiency and execution risk.
- Hands-on, solution-oriented mindset (not purely compliance-driven).
- Good articulation skill.
- Comfortable working in fast-moving, deal-driven environments with changing priorities.
- High integrity, ownership mindset, and strong stakeholder management skills.
Please be informed that only shortlisted candidate will be notified.
For more information, you may reach out to Jamie at her email at [Confidential Information] or WhatsApp her at +6012 238 9953
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