Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Agricultural Vegetable Production Company Imperial Valley, California

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall financial strategy, financial management, risk management, and long-term financial sustainability of the company. The CFO leads all accounting, finance, treasury, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and reporting functions while supporting operational excellence across farming, harvesting, packing, cooling, logistics, and distribution activities.

The ideal candidate will possess strong financial leadership experience within agriculture, produce, food production, or manufacturing environments and a deep understanding of the unique financial, operational, labor, water, regulatory, and market conditions affecting vegetable production in California's Imperial Valley.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and implement the company's strategic growth initiatives.

Provide financial analysis and recommendations regarding operational investments, acquisitions, capital projects, and expansion opportunities.

Develop long-range financial plans aligned with business objectives.

Evaluate new business opportunities, market conditions, and profitability drivers.

Serve as a trusted advisor to ownership, investors, lenders, and board members.

Lead the evaluation, implementation, and governance of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation, and data analytics solutions across the organization.

Develop and maintain company-wide AI policies, procedures, and governance standards to ensure responsible, secure, and effective use of AI technologies.

Identify opportunities to leverage AI and automation to improve efficiency in finance, accounting, crop planning, labor management, supply chain operations, forecasting, reporting, and administrative functions.

Partner with operational leaders to implement data-driven decision-making tools that enhance productivity, profitability, and resource utilization.

Establish controls to ensure compliance with data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements related to AI and digital technologies.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by evaluating new technologies that reduce costs, improve reporting accuracy, and increase operational efficiencies.

Utilize predictive analytics and AI-enabled forecasting tools to improve budgeting, cash flow management, crop profitability analysis, inventory management, and strategic planning.

Champion digital transformation initiatives that support scalable growth and strengthen the company's competitive position within the agricultural industry.

Financial Management & Reporting

Oversee all accounting and finance functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, tax, treasury, and financial reporting. Experience with Famous Accounting software helpful.

Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

Develop and maintain financial models, cash flow projections, and profitability analyses.

Monitor key financial and operating performance indicators.

Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Budgeting & Forecasting

Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts.

Work closely with farm operations, production, harvesting, packing, transportation, and sales teams to develop accurate financial plans.

Analyze actual performance against budget and forecast assumptions.

Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies.

Agricultural Operations Support

Analyze crop profitability by commodity, field, ranch, customer, and growing season.

Monitor direct and indirect production costs, including labor, water, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, equipment, and transportation.

Support operational decisions through financial and data-driven analysis.

Develop systems to track key agricultural performance metrics and margins.

Evaluate capital expenditures related to land improvements, equipment, irrigation systems, cooling facilities, and packing operations.

Cash Management & Financing

Manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital requirements.

Oversee relationships with banks, agricultural lenders, equipment financing providers, and other financial institutions.

Negotiate and manage operating lines of credit and financing arrangements.

Optimize capital structure and financing strategies to support growth.

Risk Management & Compliance

Oversee enterprise risk management initiatives.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations.

Manage agricultural insurance programs, including crop, property, liability, workers' compensation, and other risk management programs.

Coordinate audits and tax compliance activities.

Monitor evolving agricultural, labor, environmental, and water-related regulations impacting the business.

Leadership & Team Development

Lead and mentor accounting, finance, payroll, and administrative personnel.

Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational partnership.

Establish performance goals and development plans for finance employees.

Build scalable finance and accounting processes to support company growth.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Minimum 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience.

Minimum 5 years in a senior finance leadership role (Controller, VP Finance, CFO, or equivalent).

Experience in agriculture, fresh produce, agribusiness, food processing, manufacturing, or a related industry.

Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.

Experience managing banking relationships, debt financing, and cash flow planning.

Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.

Excellent communication and leadership abilities.

Proficiency with ERP, accounting, and business intelligence systems.

Preferred

CPA designation.

MBA or advanced business degree.

Experience with fresh vegetables, row crops, produce packing, and distribution operations.

Knowledge of agricultural cost accounting and crop profitability analysis.

Familiarity with H-2A labor programs, California labor laws, and agricultural compliance requirements.

Experience working in family-owned, privately held, or multi-generational agricultural businesses.

Key Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Financial Planning & Analysis

Agricultural Business Acumen

Risk Management

Capital Planning

Budget Management

Cost Accounting

Leadership & Team Development

Negotiation & Relationship Management

Operational Excellence

Data Analytics

Continuous Improvement

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy & Governance

Digital Transformation Leadership

Process Automation & Optimization

Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

Technology Innovation Management

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive Executive Salary

Annual Performance Bonus

Long-Term Incentive Opportunity

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Vehicle Allowance or Company Vehicle

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Relocation Assistance (if applicable)

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Direct Reports:

Controller

Grower Accounting

Payroll Manager

Accounts Payable/Receivable Staff

Administrative Finance Personnel

Success Measures (First 12 Months)

Improve cash flow forecasting accuracy and working capital management.

Strengthen financial controls and reporting processes.

Develop comprehensive crop and customer profitability reporting.

Support operational efficiency initiatives across farming and packing operations.

Maintain strong lender and banking relationships.

Deliver timely, accurate financial information that enables executive decision-making andsustainable growth.

Develop and implement AI governance policies and procedures that support responsible adoption of artificial intelligence technologies across the organization.

Identify and deploy AI and automation solutions that improve financial reporting efficiency, forecasting accuracy, operational visibility, and overall business performance.

Establish key performance metrics to measure the return on investment (ROI) and operational impact of technology and AI initiatives.

Location: Imperial Valley, California (on-site with regular visits to farming, harvesting, packing, and distribution operations).

Pay: $100,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Vessey & Company

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