Tax Manager

Fuchs Lubricants Co.; Harvey (IL); On-site; USD 155,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

FUCHS Lubricants Co. seeks a Tax Manager to lead U.S. federal income tax, state/company tax compliance, and tax provisions. You will drive internal capability building, transition from external advisors, and support SAP S/4HANA ERP changes while coordinating with the Corporate Tax Team in Germany.

The role emphasizes hands-on execution, process improvements, and collaboration across Finance, Operations, and Legal. 7–10 years of tax experience and CPA/MST qualifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• CPA strongly preferred; MST or other advanced tax qualification valued.
• 7-10 years of progressive tax experience in public accounting, corporate tax, or a combination of both.
• Strong experience in U.S. federal income tax compliance and ASC 740 tax accounting.
• Experience with Canadian corporate taxation preferred.
• Manufacturing industry experience preferred.
• Experience working with external tax advisors and auditors.
• Experience with SAP, SAP S/4HANA, or other large ERP environments preferred.
• Experience supporting system implementations, process improvements, or tax automation initiatives is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own U.S. federal income tax compliance, including preparation/review of federal returns and related workpapers.
• Manage annual return-to-provision process and differences between filed returns and prior-year provision.
• Coordinate Canadian corporate tax compliance activities with local advisors.
• Administer sales and use tax compliance and exemption management.
• Prepare quarterly estimated tax payments and annual filings.
• Support ASC 740 tax provision calculations and related disclosures.
• Partner with Accounting and Finance teams during monthly, quarterly, annual closes.
• Collaborate with Global Tax Team on cross-border initiatives and ERP changes.

Skills

U.S. federal income tax compliance

ASC 740 tax accounting

Tax automation initiatives

External tax advisors coordination

System implementations experience

Cross-border/tax planning

Financial statement disclosures

ERP integration knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA strongly preferred; MST or other advanced tax qualification valued

Tools

SAP

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Salary

FUCHS offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is up to $155,000 to $170,000, but actual salary will vary depending upon a new hire's experience and qualifications as well as internal equity.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and hands‑on Tax Manager to support and execute the Company's U.S. and Canadian tax compliance, reporting, and provision activities. A key objective of this role is to build and strengthen the Company's internal tax capabilities, transitioning selected tax compliance, provision, reporting, and planning activities from external advisors to an internally managed model. The Tax Manager will establish the processes, documentation, controls, systems, and technical knowledge necessary to increase internal ownership while strategically utilizing external advisors for specialized or complex matters.

The Tax Manager will own U.S. federal income tax and tax provision processes, sales and use tax compliance, and Canadian tax reporting, while coordinating with external advisors on state and local income tax matters. In addition, the role will collaborate closely with the Corporate Tax Team in Germany to support global tax initiatives, cross-border compliance activities, and consistent application of tax policies across the organization.

This position is ideal for a technically strong tax professional who enjoys rolling up their sleeves and working directly in the details while also driving process improvements and supporting business initiatives. The Tax Manager may provide guidance to less experienced team members but is primarily responsible for the hands‑on execution and continuous improvement of the Company's tax processes. The role will also support the Company's ERP transformation from SAP ECC to S/4HANA.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Own the U.S. federal income tax compliance process, including preparation and/or detailed review of federal returns, supporting workpapers, tax adjustments, elections, and related filings, with the goal of increasing internal preparation capabilities and reducing reliance on external advisors.
• Manage the annual return-to-provision process, including identification and resolution of differences between filed tax returns and amounts reflected in the prior-year tax provision.
• Manage Canadian corporate tax compliance activities and coordinate with local tax advisors.
• Administer sales and use tax compliance processes, including registrations, filings, audits, and exemption certificate management.
• Prepare the quarterly estimated tax payments and annual tax filings.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing and payment of all tax obligations.
• Coordinate responses to tax authority inquiries, notices, and audits.
• Maintain tax calendars and filing schedules to ensure compliance with all reporting deadlines.

Tax Provision & Accounting

• Own and maintain quarterly and annual ASC 740 tax provision calculations, including current and deferred tax computations.
• Reconcile tax-related accounts and support tax-related financial statement disclosures.
• Analyze deferred tax assets and liabilities and maintain supporting schedules.
• Maintain documentation supporting tax positions and tax accounting conclusions.
• Support external audit activities related to income taxes and tax disclosures.
• Maintain and improve tax controls in compliance with internal control requirements.
• Partner with Accounting and Finance teams to support monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities.

Tax Strategy, Planning & Business Partnership

• Identify, analyze, document, and monitor uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, including appropriate supporting technical documentation
• Support analysis of tax implications related to business operations, capital investments, financing activities, and cross-border transactions.
• Assist in identifying tax savings opportunities, manufacturing credits, and available incentives.
• Monitor U.S. and Canadian tax legislation and evaluate the impact of regulatory changes on the business.
• Support transfer pricing compliance and documentation activities in coordination with the Corporate Tax Team.
• Collaborate with the Corporate Tax Team in Germany on global tax initiatives and reporting requirements.
• Serve as a tax resource for Finance, Operations, Procurement, Treasury, Legal, and other business functions.

Financial Planning & Forecasting

• Support development of annual tax forecasts and effective tax rate projections.
• Update tax forecasts and estimated tax positions throughout the year in coordination with FP&A.
• Analyze and explain variances between forecasted and actual tax results.
• Assist with cash tax forecasting and tax budgeting activities.

External Advisor Management

• Develop and execute a roadmap for transitioning appropriate tax activities from external service providers to internal ownership, including knowledge transfer, process documentation, development of internal workpapers, controls, tax calendars, and implementation of supporting technology.
• Determine which specialized or complex tax matters should continue to utilize external advisors and manage those relationships efficiently.
• Review advisor deliverables for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to deadlines.
• Assist in managing external tax service providers and related budgets.

Process Improvement & Systems Support

• Research federal, state, Canadian, and international tax matters as needed and prepare clear technical analyses and position documentation supporting the Company's tax conclusions.
• Document and maintain tax processes, procedures, policies, and compliance calendars.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, automation, and standardization within tax processes.
• Support integration of tax requirements within ERP and financial reporting systems.
• Participate in SAP S/4HANA implementation activities, including:
  • Validating tax-sensitive master data and transactions.
  • Reviewing tax reporting requirements and system configurations.
  • Assisting with testing, controls validation, and process documentation.
  • Supporting continuity and accuracy of tax reporting through the system transition.

Collaboration & Special Projects

• Collaborate closely with Accounting, FP&A, Treasury, Legal, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Support tax aspects of acquisitions, restructurings, business integrations, and other strategic projects.
• Provide technical guidance and training to internal stakeholders on tax-related matters.
• Participate in special tax projects and continuous improvement initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required.

• CPA strongly preferred; MST or other advanced tax qualification valued.

• 7-10 years of progressive tax experience in public accounting, corporate tax, or a combination of both.
• Strong experience in U.S. federal income tax compliance and ASC 740 tax accounting.
• Experience with Canadian corporate taxation preferred.
• Manufacturing industry experience preferred.
• Experience working with external tax advisors and auditors.
• Experience with SAP, SAP S/4HANA, or other large ERP environments preferred.
• Experience supporting system implementations, process improvements, or tax automation initiatives is desirable.

• Experience working within an in-house corporate tax function strongly preferred.
• Experience building, insourcing, or significantly improving corporate tax processes previously managed by external service providers strongly preferred.

These are your benefits

FUCHS offers a challenging and rewarding working environment where employees are encouraged to develop and grow as professionals. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on projects that will expand your experience and challenge your abilities in the global marketplace. The position also offers an excellent compensation package and a comprehensive suite of benefits. Detailed benefit information can be found at this link: https://fuchs.com/us/en/benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity

FUCHS Lubricants Co. is an equal employment opportunity (EEO)/AA employer and strongly supports diversity in the workplace (m/f/d/v).