Head of Indirect Tax

Head of Indirect Tax_

Arxada is a pioneering leader with a powerful legacy: Over 120 years of creating specialty chemicals and solutions that potentiate the performance of our customers and their products. Our solutions, our expertise and our support help them to perform better - to be more efficient, more effective and more sustainable. We are passionate about empowering high performance and enabling our employees, partners and customers to realize their full potential. Together we make daily life safer, cleaner, healthier and greener. If you like making a difference, we are the company for you

Working closely with the Head of Tax, the Head of Indirect Tax will build the global indirect tax function, including setting indirect tax policies and accountabilities, optimizing value opportunities, advising the business and determining an appropriate risk and control framework.

Located in Barcelona, the role holder will be responsible for defining and executing indirect tax policies and strategic priorities while overseeing compliance processes which are outsourced to Global Business Service Operations and/or external providers.

The role holder will manage risks and pursue opportunities / process efficiencies (incl. automation). As a business partner, the role holder will advise numerous business stakeholders on indirect tax matters.

Key responsibilities:

- Develops and implements the Group’s indirect tax strategy to deliver sustainable value
- The indirect tax compliance function is part way through the process of being outsourced to PwC. During the first months/years of the outsourcing process some compliance and system/data issues are expected therefore the incumbent will have the responsibility for the review of VAT and Statistical compliance returns prepared through PwC, taking full ownership of the review process and ensuring deadlines are met. This will also require a working knowledge of SAP (pulling reports, investigating invoice / data / report errors etc)
- The incumbent will have Responsibility for the review of VAT balance sheet accounts and ensuring that differences are investigated, and appropriate accounting action is taken where required.
- Drives efficiencies in VAT processes and optimize cash flow / balance sheet positions
- Partners with the business to develop successful long-term strategic relationships advising on operations and transactions to achieve shared organizational objectives.
- Establishes an indirect tax risk and governance framework, optimizing the use of technology where appropriate and striving for continuous improvement
- Leads indirect tax controversy and policy matters, maintains good relationships with tax authorities
- Reviews new indirect tax legislation and advises on the implications, ensuring updates of ERP systems, manuals and policies and updating relevant stakeholders
- Builds awareness in the organization regarding indirect tax, e.g. by providing training to relevant stakeholders and establishing processes
- As a member of the tax leadership team, contributes actively to the organizational development of the tax function, coaches and develops team members

Key requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree (Tax / Indirect Tax diploma preferred)
- Full professional proficiency in English is a must. German or Spanish will be a plus.
- ACA, CPA, CTA or equivalent certification
- 8 to 10 years indirect tax expertise (excellence in European VAT, good understanding of indirect tax in other jurisdictions, incl. US)
- Familiarity with SAP and tax technology solutions (e.g. OneSource, Vertex)
- Ability to think and act strategically while being able to execute on operational deliverables
- Demonstrated leadership and project management skills
- Strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and collaboration skills
- Strong negotiator, internally and with external government bodies (tax authorities)

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