Our client is an ambitious, fast-growing global company in the B2B middle-market, specializing in manufacturing consumer and industrial goods.
We are seeking a dynamic, growth-focused Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who takes a forward-thinking approach—looking “through the windshield, not the rearview mirror.” The ideal candidate will lead the financial strategy, champion operational excellence, and support strategic decision-making with data-driven insights. This role demands a strategic and hands-on leader who collaborates across all functions of the business while implementing systems and processes to elevate the company’s value creation plan to the next level.
Position Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Midwest
What We’re Looking For:
The successful candidate will be an energetic, self-motivated individual with exceptional confidence and the ability to foster relationships with customers and internal teams. An entrepreneurial mindset, customer-centric focus, strong accountability, and a sense of urgency are essential traits.
This individual will:
- Shape the company’s growth strategy while driving operational efficiency and profitability.
- Enhance organizational effectiveness by evaluating and refining complex operational processes to enable expansion.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence, inspiring teamwork and loyalty across the organization.
Performance Profile
The role requires a seasoned executive with a deep understanding of business operations who can provide actionable insights, strategic recommendations, and hands-on support to drive exceptional operational performance.
The ideal candidate will:
- Oversee comprehensive financial management, encompassing Accounting, Budgets, Forecasting, Financial Planning, Reporting & Analysis, Internal Controls, Policy Development, Tax, Banking, Treasury, Audit, Compliance, Insurance, Employee Benefits (in collaboration with HR), and Financial Systems.
- Lead and develop the finance team, cultivating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, with a focus on margin enhancement, profitability, and advanced dashboards/tools to drive business success.
- Facilitate the transition to a forecast-driven management culture, aligning strategy with execution while engaging and guiding the team through the change.
- Develop models to evaluate investments and returns on major restructuring or capital initiatives, ensuring seamless adoption across the organization.
- Oversee the treasury function, including optimizing cash flow, managing working capital, monitoring liquidity, and enhancing treasury management practices.
- Serve as the primary communicator of financial matters to senior management and the Board.
- Deliver results aligned with the company’s financial and strategic goals while driving overall business performance.
- Build a high-performing Finance and Accounting team, fostering an environment of excellence and continuous learning.
- Partner with other functional leaders to develop and execute strategic plans that drive organization-wide growth.
- Ensure timely, accurate data reporting to measure performance, assess improvement initiatives, and address any gaps in execution.
- Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and compliance, adhering to financial standards, applicable laws, and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain strong relationships with external tax and audit firms, ensuring alignment and transparency in all interactions.
- Act as a collaborative member of the leadership team and a trusted thought partner to the CEO, championing cultural transformation and operational excellence.
Qualifications and Experience:
We are looking for an accomplished senior financial executive with extensive experience in complex environments. Key qualifications include:
- Over 10 years of finance experience, with at least 5 years serving as CFO in a medium-sized or larger organization within industries such as consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, packaging, chemicals, or diversified industrial manufacturing.
- Proven ability to partner with CEOs and business leaders to foster accountability, performance improvement, and a culture of continuous growth.
- Expertise in FP&A, GAAP, Tax, and Internal Audit, with operational finance experience in areas like cost accounting and inventory control.
- Familiarity with modern analytical tools and reporting systems to provide managers with actionable insights.
- Strong track record in implementing enterprise-wide structural changes and system upgrades (e.g., ERP, finance/accounting systems).
- Experience leading treasury management, tax, and audit activities.
- Demonstrated ability to build a high-performing finance team with rigorous financial controls and disciplined management systems.
- Strategic and tactical thinker with a strong bias for action and results.
Preferred: CPA certification and experience with a Big 4 or national public accounting firm (not mandatory).
