The Company (Confidential)
A global, acquisition-driven logistics and transportation organization is seeking a senior finance leader to oversee and modernize its U.S. finance operations. The company operates across multiple regions worldwide with a broad network of operating entities and provides end-to-end multimodal transportation and logistics solutions.
The organization is entrepreneurial, decentralized, and rapidly expanding both organically and through acquisition. The U.S. platform has grown meaningfully in recent years and is preparing for its next stage of scale, requiring a finance leader who can both stabilize and transform.
The Opportunity
The company is seeking a hands-on, strategic, and business-oriented U.S. Chief Financial Officer to serve as the top finance executive for its U.S. operations. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for driving financial clarity, operational discipline, and systems improvement while building a finance function capable of supporting continued growth.
This leader will oversee all core finance activities across the U.S., including close, reporting, invoicing, collections, compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and business partnering. The role also requires close collaboration with regional leadership and coordination with global finance standards.
A major focus of the role will be upgrading financial operations, improving working capital management, strengthening governance, and establishing a more integrated, scalable finance structure across multiple operating locations. The environment is fast-paced, decentralized, and entrepreneurial—requiring someone who is structured, communicative, and highly collaborative.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the U.S. finance function in alignment with global strategy, standards, and reporting requirements.
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with accuracy, timeliness, and transparency.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors and ensure compliance with both local and global accounting standards.
- Drive improvements in invoicing, billing accuracy, collections, DSO, and overall working capital management.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes across multiple operating units.
- Build strong partnerships with branch and regional leaders, enhancing financial visibility and accountability.
- Support M&A initiatives, including due diligence, integration planning, and post-acquisition harmonization.
- Optimize financial systems and tools (ERP, reporting platforms) to increase automation, scalability, and data quality.
- Evaluate and develop team capabilities; mentor high-potential finance talent and strengthen organizational discipline.
- Promote a culture of accountability, communication, and continuous improvement across all finance activities.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking finance executive with experience leading finance in a multi-entity, international, or decentralized operating environment. They must bring a strong accounting foundation coupled with strategic, operational, and leadership capability.
Success Attributes
- Skilled at leading through influence in a distributed, entrepreneurial environment.
- Able to elevate finance into a true business partner role while building trust with operations.
- Strong command of financial operations including close, reporting, controls, working capital, and compliance.
- Experienced with post-acquisition integration, process standardization, and system enhancements.
- Confident working with complex data and modern financial systems; comfortable driving automation and scalability.
- Capable of upgrading talent, empowering teams, and instilling structure and accountability.
Professional Qualifications
- Proven track record as a senior finance leader overseeing multi-location finance functions.
- Deep experience in controllership, financial operations, and reporting; strong understanding of U.S. GAAP.
- Exposure to IFRS or global reporting standards a plus.
- Experience in M&A integration, financial systems optimization, and organizational transformation.
- Strong academic foundation in finance or accounting; CPA, Chartered Accountant, or MBA preferred.
- Background in logistics, transportation, distribution, or other operationally intensive industries helpful but not required.
Skills & Competencies
- High-energy, structured, and analytical decision-maker.
- Collaborative and humble leadership style with the ability to influence across varied cultures and regions.
- Strong communication skills; able to bring clarity and alignment across decentralized teams.
- Excellent judgment and integrity; comfortable leading through ambiguity and rapid growth.
- Systems-oriented thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.
