Senior Tax Compliance Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Description

A Taste of Who We Are:

Backed by a tireless commitment to high quality, innovative culinary offerings and unparalleled client and guest services, Continental consistently ranks among the top contract dining and refreshment providers in the nation according to Food Management Magazine, the industry’s source for food service news and trends.

Our Mission

Delight our guest. Every meal. Every day.

Our Core Values

Exceptional – We recruit and retain phenomenal people who consistently go the extra mile to deliver results that lead the industry.

Hospitality – We are tirelessly committed to providing the highest quality food, beverages, and service by anticipating our guests' needs so they can count on memorable experiences every time.

Collaboration – We prioritize working together with a shared vision and effective & transparent communication, we unite as one team to achieve remarkable experiences. 

Responsibility – we hold ourselves accountable to be there for our team and clients, to deliver what we say we will, when we say we will and check in on progress along the way. 

Innovation – We are forward-thinkers always looking for new processes, technologies, and techniques to increase efficiencies and scalability to improve our services.

The Experience You’ll Create:

The Senior Tax Compliance Lead is Continental's primary tax subject matter expert, owning multi-state sales and use tax compliance, property tax reporting, information reporting (1099s), exemption certificate administration, business licensing, acquisition-related tax reporting, and coordination of federal and state income tax activities with external advisors.

This is a hands-on role with real opportunity to shape how the tax function operates — establishing standardized processes, strengthening controls and documentation, and driving improvement through technology, including the rollout of Continental's sales and use tax automation platform. Partnering across Accounting, Finance, Operations, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Human Resources, Legal, IT, and external providers, this position calls for an analytical, proactive professional who works independently and serves as a trusted advisor to the business.

What You'll Do:

Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Lead the Company's multi-state sales and use tax compliance program, including filings, taxability reviews, notices, and regulatory inquiries.
• Oversee personal and real property tax reporting, assessments, exemptions, and appeals.
• Prepare Form 8594 Asset Acquisition Statements for each acquisition, coordinating purchase price allocation with Finance, Legal, and external advisors.
• Manage business licensing, tax registrations, and jurisdictional setup for new and acquired entities and locations.
• Coordinate federal and state income tax compliance with external tax advisors and internal accounting teams.
• Monitor legislative developments, nexus considerations, and emerging requirements, advising management on implications for new initiatives, acquisitions, and operational changes.

Information Reporting & Documentation

• Administer annual Form 1099 reporting, including vendor data validation, compliance monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Partner with Accounts Payable on W-9 collection, validation, and vendor tax documentation.
• Manage the Company's sales tax exemption certificate program, including collection, maintenance, renewals, compliance reviews, and audit support.
• Maintain tax policies, procedures, record retention standards, and acquisition tax files.

Audit, Risk & Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary point of contact for tax audits, examinations, governmental inquiries, and external tax advisors.
• Strengthen tax-related internal controls and identify opportunities to reduce compliance risk and organizational exposure.
• Partner across departments to provide practical tax guidance, including support for fixed assets, leases, capital projects, and acquisition integration.

Process Improvement & Technology

• Build and document standardized, repeatable processes across the tax function, including a consistent approach to acquisition tax reporting.
• Lead the implementation and adoption of Continental's sales and use tax automation platform, partnering with IT, Accounting, Operations, and external resources on configuration, integration, testing, and rollout.
• Leverage automation, data analytics, and emerging technology to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability, supporting Continental's broader digital transformation initiatives.

Ingredients for Thriving:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive tax and accounting experience, including multi-state sales and use tax compliance.
• Personal property tax compliance experience required; real property tax experience preferred.
• Experience administering Forms 1099, W-9 processes, and exemption certificate programs.
• Experience with acquisition-related tax reporting, including Form 8594 and purchase price allocation, preferred.
• Working knowledge of corporate federal and state income tax compliance, with experience supporting audits, regulatory inquiries, and governmental agencies.
• Strong understanding of tax requirements within a multi-state, multi-entity, acquisitive organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build processes, strengthen controls, and drive adoption of new systems independently.
• Excellent analytical, research, and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with ERP and tax technology; experience with sales and use tax automation platforms (Avalara, Vertex, Sovos, or similar) preferred.

Success Factors:

• Serve as Continental's trusted internal tax advisor and subject matter expert.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant filings across all applicable jurisdictions.
• Establish well-documented, scalable processes and controls across the tax function.
• Proactively identify and mitigate tax-related risks.
• Drive efficiency and accuracy through process improvement and technology while delivering practical, business-focused guidance.

Location(s) & Logistics:

• Primary work location in Sterling Heights, with travel to Continental locations throughout Metro Detroit as needed, including Troy headquarters and other operating sites.
• Primarily office-based work requiring extended periods of sitting, computer use, and data analysis.
• Occasionally required to lift or carry office materials up to 10 pounds and perform routine office movements such as standing, walking, bending, and reaching.

Savor the Benefits:

We offer a range of benefits for eligibles team members, including:

• Health Coverage – Medical, Dental and Vision
• Voluntary Life/AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Parental Leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental leave
• Wellness Programs
• Referral bonus
• Additional Perks

To see a summary of current benefits, please visit -at- continental/#benefits .
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