Location: Leicestershire (Hybrid)
Start: ASAP
Sector: Manufacturing / Industrial / Engineering
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Overview
A leading manufacturing organisation in Leicestershire is seeking an experienced Interim VAT Specialist to provide technical support, ensure robust VAT compliance, and lead key VAT-related projects during a period of operational and systems change. This is a hands‑on role requiring strong technical expertise, manufacturing sector experience, and the ability to work independently.
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Key Responsibilities
VAT Compliance & Reporting
* Manage the end‑to‑end preparation, review, and submission of VAT returns.
* Ensure accurate VAT accounting and reconciliations across multiple sites or cost centres.
* Maintain documentation, controls, and audit trails suitable for a manufacturing environment.
Technical VAT Advisory
* Advise on VAT treatment relating to:
o Complex supply chains
o Imports/exports
o Raw material purchases and component flows
o Zero‑rating, reliefs, and exemptions
* Support commercial and operational teams on the VAT implications of new products, pricing, contracts, and supply models.
Risk Management & HMRC
* Act as the main point of contact for any HMRC queries or audits.
* Identify areas of VAT leakage, risk, or process gaps and implement immediate corrective actions.
Project Support
* Support ERP/system changes ensuring the VAT setup is correct (e.g., SAP/Oracle/Dynamics).
* Lead VAT elements of any transformation, process improvement, or supply‑chain redesign work.
* Implement efficiencies to strengthen controls and reduce manual intervention.
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Candidate Profile
Experience
* Strong background in VAT/Indirect Tax, ideally within manufacturing, industrials, engineering, FMCG, or supply-chain heavy environments.
* Experience delivering improvements in complex operational businesses.
* Confident managing high‑volume or multi-entity VAT returns.
* Comfortable working autonomously in an interim environment.
Skills
* Strong technical VAT knowledge and ability to apply it commercially.
* Excellent stakeholder communication-able to simplify complex VAT concepts for non-finance teams.
* Strong systems capability; experience with major ERPs is desirable.
* Analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working at pace.
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Contract Details
* Duration: 6-9 months
* Daily rate: £350
* Working model: Remote (ocassional trsvel to Leicestershire)
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