# Inventory and Cost Accounting Lead

**Company:** [OpenAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/openai)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Finance & Accounting
**Salary:** $216k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Oracle Fusion, Cost Accounting, Inventory Accounting, Standard Costing, Manufacturing Variances, Overhead Absorption, U.S. Gaap, Sox Controls, Erp Implementation, Contract Manufacturing
**Posted:** 2026-06-05

> Lead manufacturing cost accounting and inventory valuation for consumer hardware and robotics at OpenAI. Build scalable costing processes, Oracle Fusion ERP capabilities, and SOX controls in a hybrid San Francisco role.

## Job Description

## Manufacturing Costing & Inventory Accounting
- Lead product costing and inventory accounting across consumer hardware and robotics programs, including inventory valuation, manufacturing variances, reserves, and close processes.
- Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Strategic Finance to support BOM accuracy, labor and overhead assumptions, and gross margin analysis.
- Develop scalable accounting processes for NPI, prototyping, engineering builds, and mass production.
- Own inventory-related accounting policies and controls, including capitalization, overhead allocation, LCNRV/NRV assessments, rebates, freight, tariffs, and inventory controls.

## ERP Systems & Process Design
- Serve as a finance lead for Oracle Fusion manufacturing costing and inventory implementations, enhancements, and process optimization.
- Partner with Systems, IT, and Operations to design scalable finance processes, controls, reporting structures, and operational workflows.
- Drive ERP configuration decisions related to standard costing, inventory subledger processes, manufacturing transactions, and cost books.

## Financial Close, Reporting & Controls
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual cost accounting close activities and improve scalable reconciliations, reporting, and management review processes.
- Partner with Strategic Finance on margin reporting, inventory analytics, and budget versus actual analysis.
- Establish SOX-ready controls, support audits and technical accounting matters, and drive continuous improvement across close and reporting processes.

## Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as a strategic partner to Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Program Management teams.
- Translate ambiguous business needs into scalable accounting and operational frameworks.
- Influence senior stakeholders through strong communication, executive presence, and data-driven recommendations.
- Help build and scale the long-term roadmap for hardware controllership, manufacturing accounting, and operational finance infrastructure.

## Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- 8+ years of experience in manufacturing accounting, cost accounting, or inventory accounting.
- Significant experience within consumer hardware, electronics, robotics, semiconductor, or complex manufacturing industries.
- Deep expertise in standard costing, inventory valuation, manufacturing variances, overhead absorption, and inventory close processes.
- Strong experience working with contract manufacturers and global supply chain environments.
- Hands-on experience with Oracle Fusion ERP, particularly Costing and Inventory modules.
- Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP related to inventory and manufacturing accounting.
- Experience building scalable accounting processes, controls, and reporting infrastructure.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and cross-functional partnership skills.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively in ambiguous environments.

## Preferred Qualifications
- CPA and/or public accounting background.
- Experience supporting hardware product launches and rapid manufacturing scale-up.
- Experience designing or implementing ERP systems and finance process transformations.
- Experience in a high-growth technology or pre-IPO/public company environment.
- Experience building or leading teams in complex operational accounting environments.
- Familiarity with manufacturing operations, supply chain planning, and procurement workflows.

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