Director of Finance, Cost & Inventory at Altera

San Jose, California, United States

Altera Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
SemiconductorIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field
  • 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including cost accounting and inventory accounting
  • Strong background in semiconductor, electronics manufacturing, or complex high-tech supply chains
  • Deep understanding of manufacturing cost structures, yield analysis, overhead allocation, and COGS drivers
  • Expertise with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and advanced Excel/financial modeling skills
  • Proven leadership experience with ability to influence cross-functional teams
  • Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls
  • Preferred
  • MBA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent advanced certification
  • Experience in a global, multi-site semiconductor manufacturing environment
  • Familiarity with cost modeling for foundry relationships and external manufacturing partners (OSATs)
  • Demonstrated success implementing financial process improvements and analytics tools

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and maintenance of standard cost models for semiconductor products, including wafer fabrication, assembly, test, and supply chain activities
  • Partner with Manufacturing Operations to analyze cost variances, yield impacts, absorption, and overhead allocation
  • Manage quarterly and annual cost roll processes and ensure accurate product cost valuation
  • Evaluate cost efficiencies and drive initiatives that improve gross margin
  • Manage excess & obsolete (E&O) reserves, inventory valuation adjustments, and cycle count/physical inventory programs
  • Ensure accuracy of inventory balances across fabs, OSATs, and third-party logistics providers
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain on inventory planning, risk assessments, and cost-to-serve improvements
  • Lead cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) forecasting, scenario modeling, and cost-reduction planning
  • Partner with FP&A to support forecast cycles, quarterly close, and long-range financial planning
  • Present cost and inventory insights to senior leadership, highlighting risks, opportunities, and cost drivers
  • Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing and Product Line Management
  • Lead and develop a high-performing team of cost and inventory finance professionals
  • Drive system and process improvements across ERP, cost accounting workflows, and business intelligence tools

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Cost AccountingProduct Cost ManagementStandard Cost ModelsSemiconductor FinanceInventory ValuationCOGS ForecastingFinancial PlanningVariance AnalysisYield AnalysisOverhead AllocationE&O ReservesSupply Chain FinanceGross Margin Optimization

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Director of Finance, Cost & Inventory position?

The pay range is $159.7K - $231.2K USD for Bay Area California only, with actual salary varying based on factors like job location, knowledge, skills, experiences, and trainings. Incentive opportunities are also offered based on individual and company performance.

Is this a remote position or does it require working in an office?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What qualifications and experience are required for this role?

A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field and 10+ years of progressive experience are required. The ideal candidate has deep experience in semiconductor finance, strong analytical leadership, and the capability to partner across operations, supply chain, and R&D.

What is the company culture like at Altera?

Altera is committed to engineering excellence, operational rigor, and strategic growth across its global footprint.

What makes a strong candidate for this Director of Finance role?

Strong candidates have deep semiconductor finance experience, analytical leadership skills, and the ability to partner across operations, supply chain, and R&D, along with expertise in cost accounting, inventory management, and leading high-performing teams.

Altera

Develops digital human agents for AI

About Altera

Altera develops digital human agents that mimic human traits like empathy, friendship, and fun. Their primary product allows users to interact with an AI agent while playing Minecraft, creating a friendly and engaging experience. Altera's agents are designed to be interoperable and capable of long-term autonomy, making them suitable for both individual users and businesses. Unlike many competitors, Altera focuses on advancing research and scaling technology to deliver unique, human-like AI products. The company's goal is to redefine AI agents, enhancing their versatility and human-like qualities.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2023Year Founded
$10.7MTotal Funding
SEEDCompany Stage
Consumer Software, AI & Machine LearningIndustries
11-50Employees

Risks

Priest-led cults in Altera's Minecraft simulation may cause ethical concerns.
Managing 1,000 autonomous AI agents poses safety and ethical challenges.
Creating believable digital humans may lead to misuse in deceptive AI applications.

Differentiation

Altera specializes in digital human agents with traits like empathy and friendship.
Their first product offers a unique Minecraft experience with interactive AI agents.
Altera's focus on human-like AI agents sets them apart in the AI sector.

Upsides

Altera raised $9M in May 2024, showing strong investor confidence.
AI-driven gaming experiences are gaining popularity, benefiting Altera's Minecraft product.
The rise of AI companions in mental health indicates a market for empathetic agents.

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