Director of Tax

Director Of Tax

The Director of Tax leads all aspects of the global tax function for a $1.2 billion material handling company with international operations. This strategic leadership role is responsible for ensuring full compliance with federal, state, local, and international tax obligations; managing sales and use tax across multiple jurisdictions; overseeing income tax provision and reporting; and coordinating with external tax advisors, auditors, and service providers. The Director of Tax serves as the company's subject matter expert on tax matters, partnering with senior leadership to develop tax-efficient strategies that support business growth, M&A activity, and global expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee preparation and timely filing of all federal, state, local, and international income tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage the global tax provision process under ASC 740, including quarterly and annual calculations, deferred tax analysis, uncertain tax positions, and SEC-equivalent disclosures.
• Maintain SOX-compliant tax controls, documentation, and processes; coordinate with internal and external auditors on all tax-related matters.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation across all relevant jurisdictions and assess business impact, communicating implications and recommendations to executive leadership.

Sales & Use Tax

• Direct the multi-state sales and use tax compliance function, including return preparation, exemption certificate management, nexus determinations, and taxability analysis for equipment, parts, and services.
• Manage sales and use tax audits, including responding to notices, gathering documentation, negotiating with state authorities, and resolving assessments.
• Evaluate and optimize sales and use tax technology, automation tools, and processes to improve accuracy and reduce manual effort across the organization.
• Partner with sales, operations, and IT teams on customer billing, contract structuring, and ERP configuration to ensure correct tax treatment at the point of transaction.

International Tax

• Oversee international tax compliance, including foreign income tax returns, transfer pricing documentation, country-by-country reporting, GILTI, FDII, Subpart F, BEAT, and other cross-border tax matters.
• Coordinate transfer pricing policies and intercompany transactions across global entities, ensuring proper documentation and alignment with OECD guidelines and local country requirements.
• Manage VAT, GST, customs duties, and other indirect tax obligations in foreign jurisdictions, working with local advisors and finance teams.
• Support international expansion, entity structuring, repatriation strategies, and cross-border transactions with appropriate tax planning.

External Provider Coordination

• Manage relationships with external tax service providers, including Big Four or regional accounting firms, specialty tax consultants, and local-country advisors.
• Scope engagements, negotiate fees, evaluate deliverables, and ensure work product meets quality and timeliness expectations.
• Coordinate the division of work between internal staff and external providers to balance cost, expertise, and capacity.
• Lead the external audit process for the income tax provision and partner with auditors on technical positions and documentation.

Strategy, Planning & Leadership

• Develop and execute tax planning strategies that minimize global effective tax rate while managing risk and supporting business objectives.
• Provide tax due diligence, structuring, and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and reorganizations.
• Advise senior leadership on the tax implications of business decisions, capital investments, financing arrangements, and strategic initiatives.
• Build, lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing tax team; foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Partner cross-functionally with Treasury, Legal, FP&A, Accounting, HR, and operational leaders to ensure tax considerations are integrated into business processes.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA required; Minimum of 12-15 years of progressive tax experience, including a combination of Big Four public accounting and in-house corporate tax leadership. Demonstrated experience leading the tax function for a multinational company with revenues of $500 million or more. Deep technical expertise in U.S. federal and state income tax, ASC 740 tax provision, and multi-state sales and use tax. Substantive international tax experience, including transfer pricing, GILTI/FDII/Subpart F, VAT/GST, and foreign tax compliance. Proven success managing external tax advisors, auditors, and service providers across multiple jurisdictions. Experience with tax planning and structuring for mergers, acquisitions, and cross-border transactions. Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Industry experience in manufacturing, industrial products, capital equipment, or material handling. Experience with ERP systems (Oracle) and tax technology platforms (Vertex, Avalara, OneSource, Corptax). Background supporting a private-equity-backed or publicly traded company. Experience with R&D tax credits, Section 199A, and other federal incentive programs.

Key Competencies

Strategic thinker who balances technical rigor with practical business judgment. Excellent communicator able to translate complex tax concepts for non-tax audiences, including the executive team and board. Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously. High integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy and compliance. Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across functions and geographies.

Work Environment

This is primarily a desk-based role, requiring extended periods of sitting and computer use. While the role is mainly desk-based, mobility within the office, manufacturing facility and customer sites may be required for meetings and interactions with colleagues. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Ability to traverse office, manufacturing facility and customer sites.

Trew EEO Statement

Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.