Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Duration: 6–9 months
Location: Germany & UK (regular travel required)
Company: Large PE-backed Industrial Firm
Sector: Industrial / Manufacturing
Role Purpose
The Interim CFO will provide strategic and operational financial leadership during a critical transformation period. This role focuses on capital restructuring, liquidity management, operational right-sizing, and turnaround execution. The CFO will work closely with the CEO, private equity sponsors, lenders, and key stakeholders to stabilize and position the business for sustainable performance.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership
- Act as interim CFO, ensuring robust financial governance and reporting.
- Partner with CEO and PE sponsors on transformation and value creation plans.
Capital Restructuring & Liquidity
- Lead capital restructuring initiatives to optimise financial structure.
- Maintain strong liquidity and manage banking relationships.
Turnaround & Operational Cleanup
- Drive right-sizing and cost optimisation across the organisation.
- Implement measures to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
Cash & Working Capital Management
- Tight control of cash flow and working capital.
- Enhance forecasting and liquidity planning processes.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Manage relationships with lenders, investors, and key customers.
- Deliver transparent, timely reporting to all stakeholders.
Travel & On-Site Leadership
- Frequent presence in Germany and UK to oversee finance teams and operations.
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Proven CFO experience in large industrial firm.
- Strong background in PE-backed environments and turnaround situations.
- Proven expertise in debt and equity restructuring, capital-structure optimisation, and turnaround execution is key.
Skills
- Capital restructuring, liquidity management, lender negotiations.
- Operational finance and working capital optimization.
Attributes
- Hands-on, decisive, and resilient under pressure.
- Ability to operate across multiple geographies and cultures.
Deliverables
- Stabilize liquidity and ensure robust cash management.
- Execute capital restructuring plan.
- Implement cost optimization and right-sizing measures.
- Deliver accurate, timely reporting to PE sponsors and lenders.
- Prepare the business for post-turnaround growth.
