Indirect Tax Lead

About the Job

We are looking for a dynamic and highly skilled Indirect Tax Lead to join our Sanofi Finance Team in Kuala Lumpur. This role is a blend of leadership and hands-on operational responsibility, encompassing indirect tax compliance, core model implementation, and the management of complex countries or entities.

As a leader in the Tax and Statutory Reporting Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the indirect tax landscape for the Asia region. Starting in 2025, indirect tax activities from multiple countries will be centralized to the Kuala Lumpur Hub, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformational projects while being directly involved in the compliance and operational aspects of the role.

You will manage a growing team, focusing on delivering high-quality services, driving continuous improvement, and handling operational responsibilities for more complex tax jurisdictions. Key Responsibilities include:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of indirect tax professionals to deliver exceptional results and foster a collaborative team culture.

• Coach and guide team members, helping them develop technical skills and ensuring high-quality outputs.

• Manage team performance by setting clear objectives, monitoring progress, and addressing challenges proactively.

• Act as the primary point of escalation for complex issues and ensure timely resolution.

• Drive team engagement and align efforts toward achieving strategic goals.

Strategic Oversight and Core Model Implementation:

• Implement and ensure alignment with the SBS core model for indirect tax processes across all countries.

• Propose and lead projects aimed at standardizing, transforming, and automating tax processes, including the adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize workflows and enhance operational efficiency.

• Ensure alignment with the organization’s strategic vision and act as a key driver in implementing process improvements.

Compliance and Operational Excellence:

• Oversee compliance responsibilities for more complex countries or entities, ensuring all indirect tax filings and reconciliations meet local regulatory requirements.

• Perform hands-on tasks, including preparing, reconciling, and submitting indirect tax returns and journals for high-risk or complex jurisdictions.

• Conduct real-time reviews of indirect tax treatments and transactions to ensure proper tax accounting and compliance.

• Maintain and enhance tax internal controls and governance, ensuring all process guides and documentation are up to date.

• Partner with the business to provide indirect tax advice and address queries related to more intricate tax matters.

Operations for Complex Countries or Entities:

• Take direct responsibility for operational tasks related to complex countries/entities, including preparing MyTax Package Reports, managing tax risk provisions, and resolving SOLAR controls.

• Handle indirect tax audits and serve as the key liaison with tax authorities for the most challenging jurisdictions.

• Prepare and reconcile monthly balance sheet accounts for tax-related general ledger (GL) accounts for these entities.

• Lead pre-close and quarterly tax risk discussions for high-risk jurisdictions.

Indirect Tax Returns:

• Conduct real-time reviews of indirect tax treatments for unusual transactions to ensure proper tax accounting.

• Review indirect tax postings in SAP, using RPA or manual processes, and correct errors as needed.

• Prepare, reconcile, and submit indirect tax returns, ensuring compliance with local regulations.

• Process indirect tax journals and reconcile indirect tax ledgers to maintain accurate records.

• Analyze trends in indirect tax returns and provide detailed insights.

Reporting and Risk Management:

• Coordinate pre-close discussions to agree on group and local tax treatments in advance.

• Extract and consolidate tax data from SAP and other sources for reporting purposes.

• Prepare and control MyTax files, ensuring accuracy and compliance with tax provisions.

• Finalize and publish MyTax risk packages, resolving any blocking controls.

• Assist with tax audits by providing required documentation, reconciliations, and calculations.

Tax Audit Management:

• Provide copies of relevant tax returns, reconciliations, detailed tax calculations, and supporting documentation required by local tax authorities.

Monthly Balance Sheet Reconciliation:

• Prepare and maintain monthly reconciliations for tax-related general ledger (GL) accounts.

• Ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies promptly, adhering to internal controls.

Continuous Improvement and Project Management:

• Identify and implement opportunities for process enhancements and operational efficiency, leveraging automation tools and technologies.

• Lead and manage projects assigned to the indirect tax team, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business objectives.

• Regularly monitor updates to tax legislation and assess their impact on compliance and operational processes, ensuring the team remains proactive in addressing changes.

• Drive customer satisfaction initiatives by building strong relationships with stakeholders and addressing feedback effectively.

About You

Essential Skills and Experience

• Leadership: Proven ability to manage, coach, and inspire a team to achieve results in a collaborative and high-performance environment.

• Tax Expertise: At least 8 years of experience in taxation, with significant exposure to indirect tax compliance, advisory, and operations in complex jurisdictions.

• Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to detect errors, identify risks, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.

• Operational Excellence: Hands-on experience in managing indirect tax operations, particularly for high-risk or complex entities.

• Process Improvement: Demonstrated ability to identify and implement process enhancements and automation tools.

• Critical Thinking: A detail-oriented, critical thinker who proactively addresses challenges and drives improvements.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders effectively.

• Project Management: Experience in leading and delivering projects, particularly those related to process transformation and compliance improvements.

• Proficiency in MS Excel, including advanced features for data analysis and reconciliation.

• Experience with SAP or equivalent ERP systems is required for managing tax data, reconciliations, and journal entries.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Background in a Finance Shared Services environment, either captive (in-house) or BPO.

• Familiarity with automation technologies, including RPA and SAP or similar ERP systems.

• Experience in managing indirect tax operations across multiple jurisdictions.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree/Professional Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or equivalent.

• Certification in indirect tax (e.g., CITM) is highly advantageous.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Sanofi's growing Tax and Statutory Reporting Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to:

• Take on a hybrid role that combines leadership with hands-on responsibilities for complex jurisdictions.

• Contribute to an exciting transformation journey centralizing tax activities for the Asia region.

• Gain exposure to diverse tax frameworks and regulations across multiple countries.

• Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values innovation, learning, and professional growth.