Job description
Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.
The role:
Are you an experienced tax professional ready to lead transformation in a dynamic, multinational environment? At our EMEA Accounting & Tax department in Amersfoort we’re looking for an Indirect Tax Manager who combines technical expertise with strategic vision to ensure VAT compliance, optimize processes, and support business expansion across the region and bring a strong affinity for Direct Tax and compliance matters in general.
In this role, you’ll play a central part in shaping how Kao in EMEA handles indirect tax by leading VAT rollouts in new markets, modernizing tax systems, and working closely with teams across the business to find efficiencies in our operations.
You’ll be a key advisor to senior leaders, you are the main point of contact for tax authorities, and a driving force behind strong compliance practices. Whether it’s managing audits, delivering training, improving ERP systems, this role will have an impact on the organization.
This role will require flexibility to be in our Amersfoort office on a weekly basis.
What you will do:
Strategic Leadership & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with indirect tax regulations in the area of VAT, customs, and local laws, across all of Kao’s entities in EMEA.
- For VAT matters, being first contact with tax authorities and/ or consultants, managing audits and ensuring favorable outcomes.
- Represent Accounting & Tax on all critical indirect tax matters and contribute as a member of the A&T leadership team.
Technology & Process Optimization
- Optimize VAT processes from both ERP and reporting perspectives, maximizing simplification, automation, and cash flow efficiency.
- Collaborate on SAP and IT system changes during S4H implementation affecting VAT invoicing, codes, and product classifications.
- Use smart tools like Alteryx and data analytics to detect incorrect tax coding and improve VAT filings.
Business Partnering & Advisory
- Advise on VAT implications for acquisitions, go-to-market strategies, e-commerce, and trade flow changes.
- Lead VAT integration for new commercial and supply chain projects, ensuring tax-efficient and compliant structures.
- Support business units with VAT-related guidance aligned with corporate policies and legal frameworks.
Implementation & Change Management
- Drive VAT implementation in countries adopting new VAT systems, including business impact modeling and process design.
- Lead the rollout of indirect tax training and e-learning across all business functions, including supply chain, commercial, and logistics teams.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of VAT legislation and ensure timely implementation of changes across the organization.
Governance & Controls
- Maintain process flows and develop new process flows, maintain and develop new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and embed them into Kao’s internal control framework.
- Conduct internal VAT audits and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Ensure accurate, timely VAT accounting and reporting in collaboration with controllership and accounting teams.
Performance & Reporting
- Develop tools, dashboards, and metrics to monitor and drive indirect tax compliance.
- Coordinate the use of VAT legislation to minimize indirect tax costs while maintaining compliance.
Direct Tax & Compliance in General
Although the emphasis will be on Indirect Tax we are looking for someone who can support on the following topics as well
- Develop and implement a transfer pricing policy
- Evaluate customs valuation in the context of transfer pricing.
- Review Intercompany agreements and check relevance.
- Provide guidance on withholding tax (WHT) for various transactions and events across jurisdictions.
- Review benefits in kind and gifts for VAT but also wage tax implications across jurisdictions.
- Collaborate with global Kao entities (e.g., Japan, US, Australia, Chemicals, Kanebo) on international tax matters.
- Partner with FP&A and GL teams to assess non-recoverable expenses for corporate income tax (CIT).
- Partner with the country controlling team and streamline the CIT return process and share best practices across countries.
What you will need:
- Master’s degree in Tax Law, Fiscal Law, Tax Economics, or Accounting with a specialization in Indirect Tax.
- 5–8 years of relevant EU VAT experience, gained in a Big Four advisory firm or a multinational corporation.
- In-depth knowledge of EU VAT law, with a solid understanding of accounting, finance, controls, and processes.
- Proven experience in building and leading high-performing VAT teams, with strong communication and leadership skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage VAT and Indirect Tax projects, including planning and advisory work.
- Commercially minded, with a clear understanding of broader business objectives beyond VAT.
- Strong communication and influencing skills; able to explain complex VAT and Indirect Tax matters in clear, business-friendly language to non-specialists.
- Excellent command of English, both written and verbal.
- Strong organizational, project management, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Results-oriented problem solver with the ability to identify and manage critical tax risks.
- Proficient in ERP systems, particularly SAP.
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, pragmatic approach to business partnering.
- Collaborative team player, comfortable working in a dynamic, international environment.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and navigate organizational dynamics.
- Skilled at building and maintaining internal and external relationships, leveraging networks effectively within a matrixed organization.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently and remotely.
- Focused on issue resolution and driving results, with a creative and solution-oriented mindset.
- Professional and positive in all business interactions, representing the company with integrity.
- Clear and concise communicator, adept at working in multicultural environments.
- Flexible and approachable, combining technical expertise with commercial awareness.
- Resilient under pressure, adaptable to change, and willing to take a hands-on approach.
- Committed to the highest ethical standards and trusted to act with integrity.
How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.
What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.
Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/) or EMEA website (https://www.kao.com/emea/en/)
https://www.kao.com/emea/en/privacy/
