Senior Tax Manager - EMEA

Join Yazaki. Connect to the future. 
 

Country: Belgium (BE)  
City:  Lummen
Worksite / Location: Lummen - Headquarters EMEA  
 
Job Function: CFO_VCT/Tax  
Job Discipline: Tax  
Job Family: ML 
 
Founded in 1929, Yazaki is a Japanese full systems supplier of wire harness, electrical, data products and solutions enabling vehicle electrification, connectivity, and autonomy integration. More than 235,000 committed and highly motivated employees in 45 countries make us one of the most successful international automotive suppliers. Join a family-owned company committed to being environmentally friendly in every aspect of its business, contributing to society, and inspiring trust. To strengthen our team, we are looking for a Senior Tax Manager - EMEA  in our Headquarters in Lummen, Belgium .

Position Overview:

Yazaki, a leading global automotive supplier, is seeking an experienced Senior Tax Manager to join our EMEA finance team. In this role, you will lead Yazaki’s regional tax operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, ensuring compliance and optimizing our tax strategy in a dynamic multinational environment. Based in Lummen, Belgium, and reporting to the Head of EMEA Tax, you will be the key in-house tax expert for the region – managing, supporting and coordinating compliance and audits in numerous countries, advising business leaders on tax matters, supporting tax planning initiatives, and leading a small team of tax professionals after a while. This is a high-impact role that combines operational execution and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities:

As Senior Tax Manager, you will take ownership of EMEA tax activities. Some of your core responsibilities include:

• Tax Compliance & Reporting: Oversee the timely and accurate filing of corporate income tax returns and preparation of transfer pricing documentation for all Yazaki entities in the EMEA region. You will coordinate with the EMEA Tax Manager and the finance teams and external service providers to ensure full compliance with each country’s tax laws and deadlines. Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of European tax regulations and managing the calendar of filings will be a crucial part of your role, ensuring that our company meets all obligations without issues.
• Tax Audits & Disputes: Under the leadership and supervision of the Head of EMEA Tax you will act as the primary liaison with tax authorities across EMEA. You will manage tax audits from start to finish – gathering information, preparing responses, and negotiating outcomes. In the event of disputes or assessments, you’ll work to protect Yazaki’s interests, whether through direct discussion with tax officials or by coordinating with external advisors on appeals.
• Tax Advisory to Business Units: Serve as the trusted tax advisor to internal stakeholders. On a day-to-day basis, various departments (such as Finance, Accounting, HR, Legal, Treasury, and our business units) will consult you for guidance on tax implications of their operations and projects. You will provide clear, business-focused advice on issues ranging from the tax treatment of new sales arrangements or supply chain changes, to cross-border transactions. In essence, you help the business make informed decisions that are tax-effective and compliant.
• Strategic Tax Planning: Take a proactive role under the leadership of the Head of EMEA Tax in supporting strategic initiatives to optimize Yazaki’s tax position. In collaboration with the Head of EMEA Tax, you’ll contribute to long-term tax strategy planning, including advising on the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions or expansions in new countries. A key goal will be to responsibly minimize the company’s effective tax rate and cash tax outlays, in alignment with business objectives and all legal requirements.
• Tax Accounting & Reporting: Work closely with the EMEA (direct) Tax Manager and our Finance teams to ensure that taxes are properly accounted for in Yazaki’s financial statements. Each month and quarter, you will review the current and deferred tax calculations for the EMEA region and ensure that tax provisions are accurate. Your work will ensure that our financial reporting reflects a correct and compliant view of all tax liabilities and assets.
• Team Leadership and Development: You can lead a small team of tax specialists based in the region after a while. As their manager, you will allocate tasks, provide mentorship, and guide their professional development. Through your leadership, you will build an engaged and competent team, capable of handling complex tax issues and stepping up as the business grows. Fostering talent and ensuring good succession planning within the tax function will be part of your contributions.
• Process Improvement & Digital Initiatives: You will implement best practices and seek opportunities to automate and digitalize tax processes. By embracing technology and more efficient processes, you will help transform the tax function to be more agile and value-driven.
• Stakeholder Engagement: As the regional Senior Tax Manager, you will interact with a broad range of stakeholders. Internally, you’ll collaborate with colleagues in various functions and present updates or strategies to finance leadership. Externally, you will manage relationships with auditors, tax advisors, and government officials. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills will enable you to represent Yazaki’s tax position effectively and build trust with all parties.

Qualifications and Experience:

We are looking for a well-rounded tax professional who can combine technical expertise with strategic thinking and leadership. Key qualifications include:

• Education: You should have a Master’s degree in Taxation, Law, Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related field. An advanced tax qualification or professional certification (e.g. certified tax adviser or accountant) is highly beneficial.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of relevant tax experience is required, with substantial experience in a multinational corporate environment. The ideal candidate has served in a tax manager (or similar) capacity covering multiple jurisdictions. Experience in the automotive or manufacturing sector is a plus – you understand the industry’s operating model and common tax issues. You should have hands-on experience with corporate tax compliance, managing tax audits, and developing tax strategies. International tax and transfer pricing exposure is essential. Prior experience leading a team or project group is important, as is comfort working in a matrixed, cross-border context.
• Technical Skills: Profound knowledge of corporate income tax law and regulations in at least one European jurisdiction (knowledge across several countries is an advantage). Strong grasp of international tax principles and transfer pricing guidelines. Familiarity with tax treaties and EU tax directives will help in advising on cross-border issues. You should also be well-versed in tax accounting concepts for financial reporting. Proficiency in the use of tax compliance software and ERPs (such as SAP) is expected. Being confident with Excel and data analysis for tax is important, and experience with tax reporting tools or automation solutions will be an asset as we enhance our digital capabilities.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required (English is our business language). Given the location and scope, fluency in Dutch and/or French is strongly preferred to communicate with local stakeholders and understand Belgian tax matters. Additional language skills (German, etc.) are a bonus, reflecting the diversity of the EMEA region.
• Leadership & Soft Skills: We seek a candidate who not only has technical tax expertise but also strong leadership and interpersonal skills. You should be able to lead and motivate a people, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and work effectively with colleagues at all levels. Excellent communication skills are essential – you can articulate complex tax concepts in simple terms and are comfortable presenting to executives or negotiating with authorities. A collaborative approach is key, as you will work closely with various departments and external partners. We value a strategic mindset and problem-solving ability. Importantly, you act with integrity and accountability, ensuring compliance and ethical standards are never compromised. The role also demands strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities, especially around critical deadlines.

What We Offer:

Joining Yazaki’s EMEA team means being part of a global organization with a strong heritage in the automotive industry and a commitment to innovation. In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape the tax strategy of a major region, work on challenging cross-border projects, and develop your career in a collaborative international environment. We offer a competitive compensation package, continuous professional development opportunities, and the chance to lead initiatives that have a real impact on the company’s success. If you are a forward-thinking tax leader with a passion for excellence and teamwork, we encourage you to apply and become a key player in Yazaki’s EMEA finance leadership team.

Last but not least we offer an engaging and supportive work environment where your contributions make a real impact. Herewith an overview of what we offer:

• 1 day remote working per week.
• 17,5 additional leave days (ADV days).
• Felxible working hours
• Hospitalization insurance: employee contribution of EUR 2,50/month, with coverage avalaible for the whole family.
• Group insurance: 3% employer contributions, no employee contribution required.
• Company laptop and mobile phone 
• Cafetaria plan: tailor your benefits (bike lease, multimedia, and many more)

 At Yazaki, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for everyone which extends to all aspects of the employment relationship. 
 
We are looking forward to receiving your application and to get to know you. Please apply by clicking the 'Apply Now' button. We wish you all the success in your application! 
 
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