Tax Specialist

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Tax team plays a critical role in shaping the financial and strategic direction of the organization into Human Health and Animal Health divisions . We bring together deep technical expertise, business insight, and innovation to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-evolving tax landscape.

By combining strong regulatory knowledge with data-driven decision making and emerging technologies, including digital solutions and AI, we ensure compliance, enhance efficiency, and support sustainable business growth.

Joining the Tax team means being part of a dynamic, high-impact function that collaborates closely with Finance, Corporate Tax, and business partners across the organization. Our team is at the forefront of regulatory change, audit readiness, and transformation of tax processes, contributing directly to the company’s mission of advancing innovation and improving lives.

Position Description

This position is a key role within the Tax function in Spain, responsible for supporting the execution of core in-country tax activities and ensuring end-to-end process integrity across direct and indirect tax areas.

The role partners closely with Finance, Corporate Tax, and stakeholders across all areas, supporting tax compliance, planning activities, and responses to increasing regulatory complexity and audit requirements. Working across multiple functions and business areas provides a unique opportunity to develop a broad understanding of business operations, the Healthcare and Animal Health markets, and the strategic decisions that drive business success.

A key component of the position is contributing to the transformation of tax processes by leveraging digital tools and integrating new technologies, including AI, to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated tax professional to grow within a high-impact team, develop strong technical capabilities, and contribute meaningfully to compliance excellence, risk management, and process transformation.

Responsibilities

The Tax Specialist will report into the Associate Director of Tax and will actively support the execution of core in-country tax activities, contributing to reliable end-to-end delivery across key tax processes:

• Support the execution of transfer pricing activities , intercompany pricing updates, and coordination with Corporate Tax.
• Support and coordinate direct and indirect tax compliance processes , including Corporate Income Tax, VAT/SII, and WHT obligations.
• Support tax accounting activities , including tax provisions aligned with US GAAP and statutory requirements.
• Participate in tax audits , preparing documentation and coordinating responses to tax authorities and external auditors.
• Execute, document, and maintain tax controls and governance frameworks.
• Collaborate with Finance, Corporate Tax, ATR, and other stakeholders to ensure proper tax treatment and process alignment .
• Contribute to process standardization, documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives .
• Identify, escalate, and support mitigation of tax risks and compliance issues .

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Taxation, or related field.

• At least 2 years of experience in tax compliance, tax advisory, accounting, or related tax functions.
• Fluent English skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with Corporate Tax and international stakeholders.
• Availability to travel between our locations in Madrid and Salamanca (20% of the working time).

• Knowledge of Spanish tax regulations (Income Tax, WHT, VAT, TP), with a proactive mindset and willingness to further develop technical expertise.
• Experience or demonstrated exposure in tax compliance and tax audits.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of accuracy, curiosity, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and build trusted relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with flexibility to learn and grow in a dynamic environment.

Preferred

• Familiarity with tax accounting (US GAAP) and control environments is a plus.
• Interest and adaptability to digital tools and new technologies (including AI) to support the digital transformation of tax processes , including the adoption of automation, data analytics, and AI-driven solutions.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.