Director, SEA Tax

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

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Role Overview

The Director, SEA Tax is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all tax matters across Southeast Asia, while aligning with the global tax strategy.

This role requires a leader who is equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and diving deep into detailed processes, data and technical issues.  The successful candidate must be able to understand complex, end‑to‑end tax workflows, identify risks and inefficiencies, and drive sustainable improvements - while also connecting tax outcomes to business strategy, risk management, and operational efficiency.

A critical component of this role is direct people leadership responsibility.  Developing a strong, high‑performing team with clear accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement mindset is a core expectation of this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Regional Tax Leadership & Strategy

• Act as the tax leader for SEA, providing oversight across direct tax, indirect tax, withholding tax, transfer pricing, and cross‑border matters.
• Translate global tax strategy into strong regional execution that supports business growth while managing tax risk.
• Proactively assess emerging tax risks, regulatory developments, and planning opportunities, and advise stakeholders on potential impacts and actions.

2. Tax Compliance, Reporting & Governance

• Oversee end‑to‑end tax compliance across SEA, including CIT, GST/VAT, withholding tax, transfer pricing, and incentive‑related reporting.
• Ensure timely, accurate quarterly and annual tax accounting deliverables, including tax provision, tax packages, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Own SOX tax controls, including design, execution, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Maintain strong governance over tax data quality, assumptions, documentation, and controls.

3. Audit, Controversy & Risk Management

• Lead all tax audits, assessments, rulings, and appeals across SEA in collaboration with external advisors.
• Develop and execute robust audit defense strategies supported by sound technical analysis and documentation.

4. Transfer Pricing & Cross‑Border Matters

• Partner with the Global Transfer Pricing team on TP policy, intercompany agreements, documentation and audit support.
• Evaluate tax implications of business model changes, supply‑chain restructuring, and new or evolving intercompany arrangements.
• Advise on permanent establishment risks, cross‑border services, and intercompany flows.

5. Incentives Governance

• Oversee tax incentive strategy and governance, including applications, compliance with conditions, and ongoing monitoring.

6. Business Partnering & Strategic Projects

• Act as a trusted tax advisor to business, finance, legal, and operations leaders.
• Provide tax input into strategic initiatives, including M&A, reorganizations, cross‑border structuring, and system implementations.
• Ensure tax considerations are embedded early into commercial and operational decision‑making.

7. Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Get into the weeds to understand tax processes, systems, and data flows.
• Identify inefficiencies, control gaps, and manual workarounds, drive simplification, standardization, and automation where appropriate.
• Lead improvements relating to ERP systems, tax reporting tools, and data accuracy.
• Embed a mindset of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the tax function.

8. People Leadership

• Directly manage and develop the team.
• Set clear priorities, performance expectations, and development plans aligned with regional and global objectives.
• Provide hands‑on coaching and technical guidance while empowering the team to operate independently.
• Build a high‑performing, resilient team with strong succession and retention.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Tax, Finance, or related field.

• 18+ years of progressive tax experience, ideally combining Big 4 and in‑house roles.

• Solid tax accounting and SOX/internal controls experience.

• Experience in manufacturing, technology, or supply‑chain‑intensive multinational environments.

• Prior exposure to tax incentives or large ERP implementations.

• Proven leadership experience managing multi‑country tax matters and leading teams.

• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and hands‑on, with comfort moving between executive discussions and detailed technical work.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinker with strong business judgement.
• Hands‑on, detail‑oriented, and execution‑focused.
• Strong people leader and mentor.
• High integrity and accountability.

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and complexity.

Additional Information

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Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.