Indirect Tax Manager — Hybrid, 4pm Friday Finish

WHSmith Careers; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

4pm Friday Finish

Flexible Working

25 Days holiday + Birthday off

Family Friendly Leave

Company Pension scheme

Annual Bonus

Private Medical

Cycle to work scheme

Staff Discount Card

Job summary

WHSmith Careers is seeking an Indirect Tax Manager to lead UK and European indirect tax reporting and advisory work within the Group Tax team. The role includes managing two tax accountants and liaising with external advisors to ensure cross-border compliance.

You will influence processes, support tax governance, and provide strategic input on customs duties, import VAT, and environmental tax regimes across jurisdictions, while contributing to finance transformation.

Qualifications

• Qualified in tax or accounting with 6+ years of experience.
• Experience managing UK and European indirect tax matters.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Line management experience for a small team.

Responsibilities

• Lead indirect tax reporting across the UK and Europe, ensuring deadlines.
• Provide commercial VAT advice to Finance, Legal and internal teams.
• Manage the indirect tax team of two tax accountants.
• Oversee year-end indirect tax audits for UK and Europe.
• Support finance transformation with indirect tax inputs in new processes.
• Monitor VAT input for year-end and half-year reporting and controls.
• Manage third-party tax audits and queries from tax authorities.
• Keep up to date with legislation and liaise with external advisors.
• Engage with internal supply chain teams on tax implications of initiatives.
• Support tax governance including IR35 assessments.
• Advise on customs duties, import VAT, and free trade agreements.
• Manage environmental tax obligations (Plastic Packaging Tax, CBAM, etc.).

Skills

UK VAT

European VAT

Tax compliance

Tax advisory

Team management

Education

Tax or accounting qualification

Job description

WHSmith Careers is seeking an Indirect Tax Manager to lead UK and European indirect tax reporting and advisory work within the Group Tax team. The role includes managing two tax accountants and liaising with external advisors to ensure cross-border compliance.

You will influence processes, support tax governance, and provide strategic input on customs duties, import VAT, and environmental tax regimes across jurisdictions, while contributing to finance transformation.