VAT Manager, EMEA

Gates Corporation; Wrocław; On-site; PLN 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Gates Corporation is seeking an experienced EMEA VAT Manager to coordinate VAT matters for our EMEA affiliates and lead a VAT GL team within the SSC. The role partners with the EMEA Tax Director and other stakeholders to ensure compliant and optimized VAT processes across multiple jurisdictions.

The ideal candidate will drive VAT audits, manage regional VAT compliance, and champion process improvements in collaboration with IT and master data to align SAP tax code logic and VAT reporting tools

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Tax, Accounting, Finance, Law or related field.
• 11–15 years of experience preferred in VAT.
• 8+ years VAT experience in multinational environment.
• Strong knowledge of European VAT regulations.

Responsibilities

• Structure VAT/Intrastat reporting for the EMEA Shared Service Center and local accounting teams.
• Provide VAT training and support to the organization.
• Oversee VAT audits and drive continuous improvements in VAT processes.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Tax/Accounting/Finance/Law

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Taxmarc

Avalara

Job description

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What To Expect

The ideal candidate is an experienced VAT professional with a broad European (or even EMEA) VAT knowledge that has prior experience coordinating regional VAT compliance, planning, leading (refund and other) VAT audits in many jurisdictions. The EMEA VAT Manager will report to the EMEA Tax Director.

The EMEA VAT Manager will be responsible for coordinating all VAT matters for our EMEA affiliates and will serve as the key leader, contact and VAT trainer for the shared service center (SSC), which will prepare the VAT returns and intrastat filings, and local controllers. In this respect Gates has introduced a dedicated VAT GL team of 2 focusing 100% on VAT that reports to the VAT manager but still is fully connected to the SSC accounting team.

The EMEA VAT Manager will also be a key partner for other stakeholders (e.g., commercial, procurement, planning) responsible for correctly structuring transaction flows aligned with business needs and coordinating with IT and master data to keep our systems (SAP ) aligned with applicable VAT requirements. This includes maintaining a structured SAP tax code logic based on our external VAT engine Taxmarc fully integrated in SAP and the continued use of the Avalara reporting tool for VAT/Intrastat and local VAT SAF-T reporting.

Interaction with the logistics and finance function will also be required to implement a robust proof of transportation process or VAT optimization processes. Finally, the EMEA VAT Manager will also be involved in projects impacting our VAT flows.

The candidate must be able to conduct VAT tax research using the available research tools (primarily IBFD), and to champion continuous process improvements or adapting to constant changes balancing compliance needs with the business need for agility.

The candidate must possess the capability to communicate effectively across all countries in the EMEA region, have excellent project management skills, and an aptitude to solve tax issues in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Structure and oversee the VAT/Intrastat reporting and related finance processes performed by the EMEA Shared Service Center VAT GL team and/or local accounting teams, including:
  • Establishing and communicating VAT processes to be followed by the VAT GL team responsible for filing VAT and Intrastat returns.
  • Driving, overseeing, and collaborating directly with the VAT GL team with a focus on VAT reporting.
  • Maintaining, in cooperation with the EU Finance Business IT Analyst, the Avalara software for all EU affiliates and Taxmarc (SAP embedded VAT engine) for all SAP entities.
  • Maintaining SAP VAT code logic and managing the interaction with the external VAT engine Taxmarc within SAP S/4HANA.
  • Providing ongoing VAT training and support to the EMEA Shared Service Center and other employees as required to enhance VAT knowledge across Accounting, Customer Service, and Purchasing teams.
  • Technical review of changes in VAT law and assessment of its practical impact on our existing business to ensure VAT compliance.
  • Provide technical oversight/guidance but also provide to-the-point answers to ad-hoc business questions.
  • Influence management decisions based on VAT.
  • Drive continuous improvements in the Gates organization (e.g., logistics, commercial, procurement) to improve our VAT processes and reduce risk.
  • Drive VAT audits (refund and other) for the entire region.
  • Work with the EMEA Tax Director to rank and work on the multiple priorities involved in building a robust VAT framework.
  • Support in specific projects important for the regional tax group (VAT or corporate) and or regional EMEA business including M&A, business restructuring transactions and tax planning and research.
  • Comply with all company policies and department procedures, ensuring honest and ethical conduct at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position will supervise and drive the VAT responsibilities for the entire region with a very high cash flow and general financial impact leveraging the EMEA shared service center for the compliance part of the regional VAT obligations, liaise with local controllers in the region and, as required, partner with external service providers.
• This includes managing 2 dedicated GL/VAT colleagues reporting to you whlle still being hands-on.

Requirements And Preferred Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Tax, Accounting, Finance, Law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred with 11 to 15 years of experience
• 8+ years of VAT experience within a multinational company, public accounting firm, or a combination of both.
• Strong knowledge of European VAT regulations and their practical application across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proven experience managing VAT compliance, audits, reporting, and indirect tax risk in a regional environment.
• Strong leadership, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Finance, Commercial, Supply Chain, Procurement, and IT teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate technical tax requirements into practical business solutions.
• Experience with SAP and indirect tax technology solutions; experience with Avalara, Taxmarc, or similar tools is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional European languages are a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, international environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within the EMEA region.

Why Gates?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Work Environment

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

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