Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:
The overall objective of Group Taxes is to create value for the global enterprise, business units and shareholders by maximizing corporate profitability through minimizing overall tax burden while executing and directing compliance to conform with all legal frameworks in preserving the Company’s reputation and integrity.
The International Tax Team within Group Taxes is critical to the adidas Group’s global tax strategy. It also manages the Group’s effective tax rate, develops and oversees transfer pricing strategies and tax initiatives. The International Tax Team establishes the tax framework including policies to ensure compliance across all entities. By aligning the organizational structure with business strategy, supporting regional tax teams in audits, and mitigating tax and transfer pricing risks, the team upholds the Group's commitment to efficiency, compliance, and sustainable global practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Business Partnering & Communication
* You are an outgoing personality partnering with various business functions (such as Regional Tax Leads, Finance Managers of Subs, Business Units at HQ) and Senior Management (Taxes, Group Reporting, Group Accounting, Treasury, Controlling and senior management of other functions) on international tax issues and, where required in the underlying context, also on general tax matters such as VAT, CIT, WHT.
* Enable fact-based decisions by creating transparency on tax implications of (existing or new) business models, product creation, supply chain processes etc.
* Contribute to business projects which have tax implications, develop and help implement tax efficient solutions, e.g. in Supply-Chain/Marketing related Rollouts, in structuring new business models, in redesigning internal processes such as tax-efficient compensation of Group functions and Subs functions
* Develop and implement adequate communication packages to present results, recommendations and solutions.
Innovation
* A demonstrated passion for staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the tax field, combined with the ability to design and implement innovative methods to enhance processes and systems.
* Develop and implement advanced analytical tools to e.g. monitor transfer pricing compliance by subsidiaries, including tracking periodic reporting requirements, reviewing changes in local tax laws, and analyzing transactional data using tax analytics and big data.
Strategy
* Develop new processes and standards / policies and deliver results with direct impact on the department and overall targets of the company.
* Significantly contribute to the achievement of the department strategy by ensuring overall tax compliance of the group entities and by assisting with managing the Group’s overall tax expenditure
Analysis / Reporting
* Identify significant improvement potential by assessing a group entity’s tax position, derive solutions where problems arise or are expected to arise and facilitate related decisions.
Functional Expertise
* Provide comprehensive expertise for assigned functional areas and processes towards team and business partners.
* Ensure smooth operation of the business by taking on ownership for related actions, e.g. support and (co-) manage tax/TP audits.
Key Relationships:
Internal:
* Finance Directors and Finance Managers of the Subs
* Regional Tax Functions
* HQ Controlling, Planning, Group Accounting
* Global Operations / Logistics, Supply Chain and Sourcing Functions
* Corporate Legal
* Business Units at Corporate HQ and regional HQs (including Tech, Strategy etc.)
External:
* Revenue Authorities
* Statutory and Tax Advisors
* Law and advisory Firms
* Representatives of governments and municipalities
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Business Partnering & Communication
* Comprehensive business understanding of international TP regulations and practices
* High degree of customer orientation (sales, design etc.)
* Ability to maneuver in consistently changing environment by tracking regulatory changes significantly impacting the groups position
* Ability to operate cross-functionally (e.g. with Controlling/BA, Treasury, Legal and Accounting/Reporting and Sales functions) and understand external business drivers
* Thorough understanding of the complexity, interactions and dynamics within an international company, i.e. having an in-depth understanding of the Group’s value chain across all brands and Markets.
* Strong ability to effectively communicate including influencing and driving consensus among diverse stakeholder
* Business fluency in English (written and spoken)
Strategy
* Ability to think and act strategically
Analysis / Reporting
* Proven expertise in analyzing extensive datasets from diverse sources to evaluate the tax and TP impacts of restructuring the Group's value chain within specific segments.
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge
* University degree in Business Administration/Accounting/Law, ideally with focus on Tax/Accounting
* First contact with ERP systems such as SAP-AFS/S4H and CFIN
* Proficiency in using data analytics tools like Power BI to analyze tax data and streamline decision-making
Experience
* Minimum 4+ years of relevant practical experience in international Tax, including professional background in International Tax, Transfer Pricing and/or Tax Reporting.
* Professional experience at “Big 4” or with multinational group preferred