Director, Tax

Creating a world where pets live longer, healthier lives, from their very first meal. Learn more about our brands. We’re Looking For a Director, Tax Location: El Segundo, CA What You’ll Be Doing: The Director of Tax leads Golden Pet Brands' income tax provision, compliance, and reporting functions, and serves as the company's senior in-house tax authority as our multi-entity structure and international footprint continue to grow. This role exists to ensure the company's quarterly and annual tax provisions are accurate, well-documented, and defensible; that all tax filings (income, sales, property, business license, and international indirect tax) are completed on time; and that outside tax advisors and vendors are effectively managed and critically reviewed. The Director also owns internal tax controls, serves as the primary point of contact for tax authorities, partners directly with the business on the tax implications of new initiatives, and proactively identifies tax planning and efficiency opportunities to help manage the company's effective tax rate. It reports to the VP, Controller, requires a CPA with deep technical tax expertise and a public accounting pedigree, and calls for the executive presence to advise senior leadership on tax strategy and risk. Income Tax Provision & Financial Reporting ● Prepare (or, if outsourced to a third-party firm, thoroughly review) the quarterly and annual income tax provision under ASC 740, including current and deferred tax calculations. ● Draft the tax footnotes and related disclosures for SEC filings, including the 10-K and 10-Q. ● Maintain and reconcile all tax-related balance sheet accounts, including deferred tax assets and liabilities. ● Analyze and explain quarter-over-quarter variances in the consolidated effective tax rate. ● Document uncertain tax positions and maintain FIN 48 / ASC 740-10 reserves. Tax Compliance & Filings ● Coordinate with outside CPA firms on the preparation and review of federal, state, local, and international corporate income tax returns; review returns prior to filing. ● Validate extension requests and quarterly estimated tax payments. ● Coordinate with an outside firm on all sales and use tax filings across applicable jurisdictions. ● Coordinate with an outside firm on all property tax filings and assessments. ● Manage business license renewals and filings across all operating jurisdictions. ● Maintain a master global tax calendar to track all filing deadlines and prevent late fees or penalties. ● Oversee the monthly sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance processes managed by third-party vendors across international jurisdictions. Risk Management & Audits ● Design and maintain internal tax controls in support of SOX 404 compliance. ● Serve as the primary point of contact for IRS and state tax authorities during audits and inquiries. ● Research technical tax positions and maintain supporting documentation. ● Monitor new and proposed tax legislation and assess its impact on the business. Strategy & Business Operations ● Serve as a tax business partner to cross-functional teams, evaluating the tax implications of new business initiatives, product launches, and process changes. ● Proactively identify, evaluate, and present tax planning opportunities — a standing priority for this role — to optimize the company's effective tax rate and cash tax liability. ● Manage transfer pricing documentation and policy for intercompany and cross-border transactions. ● Evaluate tax risks, structuring alternatives, and due diligence findings for M&A activity. ● Evaluate and implement tax software and process improvements to automate manual workflows. Leadership & Team Development ● Represent the tax function in executive-level discussions, communicating complex tax matters clearly to the CFO, VP of Finance, and other senior leaders. ● Mentor and develop tax staff or analysts as the function scales, and build the processes and controls needed to support a growing multi-entit…