Tax Manager

About Lindt

We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845, operating in over 86 countries worldwide. Guided by our global purpose to “Enchant the World with Chocolate” and our UK vision of “Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special”, we have around 400 team members in the UK across our Head Office, Retail, and Field Sales divisions.

Tax Manager Role

The Tax Manager will lead the UK tax function, ensuring full compliance with all tax obligations, proactively managing tax risks, identifying opportunities for optimisation, and providing strategic tax advice to senior management. The role also involves maintaining strong relationships with HMRC and external advisers, upholding robust governance to give confidence to the Senior Accounting Officer (SAO), with potential to assume SAO responsibilities over time.

Location & Working Arrangements

This role is based at our Head Office in Richmond Upon Thames with hybrid working: 60% in the office and 40% working from home.

Key Responsibilities

Corporation Tax Management

• Oversee preparation and submission of UK corporation tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance with statutory deadlines.
• Manage quarterly and annual tax provisions, including deferred tax calculations and disclosures for financial statements.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess their impact on the business.

Compliance Across All Tax Areas

• Ensure full compliance with UK tax obligations, including PAYE, VAT, Customs Duties, and Transfer Pricing.
• Maintain robust processes and controls to meet HMRC requirements and internal governance standards.
• Develop and implement tax policies and procedures to support compliance and mitigate risk.

HMRC Relationship Management

• Act as the primary point of contact with HMRC for all tax matters, including audits, inquiries, and negotiations.
• Provide timely and accurate responses to HMRC queries, ensuring transparency and building trust.

External Auditors and Advisers

• Manage relationships with external tax advisers and auditors, ensuring efficient delivery of tax services and audits.
• Coordinate tax-related aspects of statutory audits and provide necessary documentation and explanations.

Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) Assurance

• Support the SAO in meeting obligations under HMRC requirements, providing confidence in tax governance and controls.
• In time, assume SAO responsibilities subject to experience and capability.

Transfer Pricing and International Tax

• Maintain and update transfer pricing documentation in line with OECD guidelines and UK requirements.
• Liaise with global tax teams to ensure alignment on intercompany pricing and cross-border transactions.

Strategic Tax Planning

• Identify tax planning opportunities to optimise the company’s tax position while ensuring compliance.
• Advise senior management on the tax implications of business decisions, transactions and new initiatives.
• Maintain Tax Strategy documentation for issuance on the company website.

Risk Management and Governance

• Monitor and manage tax risks, implementing proactive measures to mitigate exposure.
• Ensure tax processes are embedded within the company’s internal control framework.

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare regular tax reports for senior management, highlighting key risks, opportunities and compliance status.
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes with accurate tax-related inputs.

Continuous Improvement and Development

• Drive automation and process improvements within the tax function to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Stay abreast of industry developments and best practices, ensuring the tax function remains forward-looking and proactive.

Team Development and Collaboration

• Collaborate with finance, legal and operational teams to ensure tax considerations are integrated into business processes.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a culture of excellence and compliance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Professional qualification: ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent.
• Minimum 1‑3 years in a tax‑focused role, ideally within a multinational or complex business environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK corporation tax, VAT, PAYE, Customs and transfer pricing regulations.
• Analytical skills to interpret complex tax legislation and provide clear, actionable advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Leadership skills; proven ability to manage projects and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and tax compliance software; strong Excel skills.
• Forward‑looking mindset: anticipate changes in legislation and adapt strategies accordingly.

Benefits

• Salary: £65,000 – £75,000.
• Bonus, pension, life cover and personal development allowance (£100).
• Chocolate allowance, giveaways, chocolate discount and birthday day off.
• Hybrid working flexibility.

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