We are seeking a CFO for an industrial mineral-based company who will play a key strategic and operational role in a high-growth company with a sustainable mission committed to improving the planet, long-term environmental stewardship, and stakeholder value creation. The candidate must have a proven ability to raise capital, manage banking and other lender relationships, and maintain strong contacts in the financial community. The candidate will have the ability to negotiate lines of credit with financial institutions, vendors, suppliers, and develop settlements with creditors. Extensive experience in a high-growth manufacturing or operations-based environment is required. Background in industrial minerals, including working knowledge of NI 43-101 technical reporting requirements and asset valuation frameworks, is strongly preferred.
As a key member of the Executive Management Team, the Chief Financial Officer will report to the President & COO, maintain governance accountability to the Board of Directors, and serve as a strategic leader in the overall management of the Company. The CFO will have primary day-to-day hands-on responsibility for planning, managing, and controlling all financial-related activities of the Company. The CFO will oversee the Company’s Information Technology function, including infrastructure and outsourced HRIS functions. The CFO will lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and ongoing optimization of ERP and CRM systems, ensuring robust internal controls, cost accounting integrity, and scalable financial reporting architecture. This will include hands-on direct responsibility for accounting, finance, forecasting, deal analysis, investor relationships, partnership compliance, and private and institutional financing.
Responsibilities
• Works with the President and COO to develop annual business plans, manage within the budget, and report monthly on variances to budget and forecast.
• Forecasts future capital needs and identifies risks to capital needs. Originates, negotiates, and closes short and long-term capital as required.
• Ensures the credibility of the Finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends, and forecasts.
• Takes a hands-on lead position in developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive product costing system.
• Directs and oversees all aspects of the Finance, Accounting, and IT functions.
• Evaluates and advises on the financial impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action.
• Takes a lead role in managing yearly financial audits with external auditors.
• Takes an oversight role in all physical inventories conducted by operations.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with senior executives to identify their needs and seek a full range of business solutions.
• Provides executive management with advice on the financial implications of business activities.
• Manages processes for financial forecasting, budgeting, consolidation and reporting to the Company.
• Provides recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
• Ensures that effective internal controls are in place and ensures compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
• Communicates strategic financial objectives to stakeholders, including potential investors, creditors, and internal staff.
• Communicates and coordinates financial and accounting matters with independent CPA firms.
• Provides deal analysis and negotiation strategies with all parties as required.
• Provides strategic direction on legal and compliance issues.
• Provides leadership in the development and continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic financial objectives.
• Root cause analysis/opportunity identification of Income Statement & Balance Sheet variances
• Burn rate projections related to cash flow analyses.
• Overdue AR collecting, negotiating, etc.
• Financial management of all Insurances, Workers Comp, Operational Incentive Programs, etc.
Personal Attributes
• Passion for sustainability and commitment to measurable environmental and enterprise impact.
• Positive attitude.
• Self-motivated and self-directed with high executive accountability.
• Strong financial capital contacts.
• Ability to negotiate and close transactions.
• Team player and team builder.
• High energy and entrepreneurial background.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels and remote locations.
• Ability to manage difficult situations productively and diplomatically with others (Internally and externally)
• Strong problem-solving and creative skills with ability to exercise sound judgment.
• High level of integrity and dependability; strong sense of urgency; results oriented.
• Flexible and able to change direction as needed.
Qualifications and Requirements
• Master’s in Business Administration or advanced degree in finance, accounting, or business preferred.
• Active CPA designation preferred.
• 20+ years in progressively responsible business or financial leadership roles.
• Proven track record in raising capital, strategic planning, financial analysis, and capital management.
• Strong understanding of financial systems, ERP platforms, and data analytics.
• Extensive experience in manufacturing operations required.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Experience
• Experience in scaling businesses.
• Experience in taking companies public (IPO) preferred.
• Experience in M&A and divestitures.
• Familiarity with international operations and multi-entity structures.
• Exposure to private equity or venture-backed environments.
• Strong background in implementing ERP/CRM systems.
• Raising short and long-term capital.
• Experience with industrial minerals and NI 43-101 reports is a plus.
• Experience with financial support and tracking of U.S. Government grants is a plus.
• Experience in transitioning an LLC to a C-Corp a plus.