Indirect Tax Manager

Indirect Tax Manager

UCB – Union Chimique Belge

Brussels, Belgium

We are looking for a Indirect Tax Manager who is analytical, proactive, and collaborative to join our Finance team, based at our HQ in Brussels, Belgium.

About the Role

As the Indirect Tax Manager, you will partner with the business on daily operations and support strategic projects. You will ensure the integrity of indirect tax systems and processes, assist in optimizing tax activities within regulatory bounds, and implement and use technology to meet digital reporting requirements and improve efficiency.

Additionally, you will collaborate closely with various departments to provide guidance on tax implications, contribute to strategies to minimize VAT leakage, and ensure compliance with local and international VAT laws. You will also play a critical role in preparing and reviewing indirect tax filings, managing audits, and staying up-to-date with changes in tax regulations to proactively address potential issues.

Who You’ll Work With

You will be part of a diverse and dynamic Tax Team, working closely with internal and external stakeholders across multiple departments, including Finance, IT, Supply Chain as well as industry groups and tax authorities.

What You’ll Do

• Business Partnering and VAT Advisory: Provide VAT advice to UCB departments to ensure compliance with tax regulations. Suggest risk-reducing alternatives and contribute to strategies. Provide support in complex projects such as M&A, product launches, flow and activity changes;
• Compliance: Critically review UCB’s main compliance model and seek continuous improvement. Ensure UCB’s operations adhere to VAT regulations. Explain the VAT impact and implement business changes due to tax reforms. Review indirect tax reporting and manage foreign VAT refund process when needed;
• IT Systems and tools: Manage the implementation and maintenance of key systems used within UCB to ensure indirect tax compliance (e.g., SAP, SAP VIM, Ariba). Manage the implementation of significant IT projects for the VAT area (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, tax engine);
• Tax Technology: Leverage the appropriate technologies to ensure UCB is compliant with the digital reporting requirements. Take new perspective on existing data, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency of the indirect tax function;
• Policy: Enhance and implement UCB’s indirect tax policies and control framework. Advocate for tax by participating in groups like TEI and FEB/VBO. Build relationships with external VAT experts, local VAT authorities, and the EU Commission;
• Knowledge: Improve the knowledge of the VAT implications in the pharmaceutical industry. Keep abreast of indirect tax legislative changes. Provide VAT trainings to internal stakeholders and create VAT awareness within UCB;
• Audits (Controversy): Oversee and manage complex indirect tax audits in Europe and beyond with a special focus on Belgian audits. Provide clear and timely communication to UCB Management regarding ongoing audits and associated risks. Maintain and manage the relationship with Belgian and foreign indirect tax authorities.

Interested?

For this role, we’re looking for the following education, experience, and skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Taxation, Accounting, Finance, Economics or Law;
• Minimum of 6 years of international indirect tax experience in consulting or in-house roles, with a strong understanding of tax processes and regulations;
• Fluency in English is required while proficiency in French is a plus;
• In-depth knowledge of VAT laws across Europe or globally, with the track record of applying regulatory updates to business operations;
• Experience in managing tax-related projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement improvements and efficiencies;
• Proven expertise in SAP and Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) with a focus on supporting tax reporting and optimizing systems;
• Experience with implementation of tax tools is an advantage;
• ACCA, Tax advisor’s license or other relevant is an advantage;
• Proactive, resilient, and independent, with the ability to deliver results in an international, evolving environment while maintaining integrity and strong stakeholder relationships.
• Eager to improve tax technology and digital skills.

Apply Now