Privatal
Privatal is a Pan-European specialist headhunting firm placing interim and permanent talent across CFO/finance, value creation & strategy, and transformation into private equity-backed portfolio companies and funds. Unlike generalist firms, each Privatal consultant combines deep private equity expertise with a dedicated functional focus—enabling exceptional speed and quality in delivery
The Opportunity
Privatal is currently teaming up with a leading European consumer services, goods and omnichannel retailer that is backed by a private equity investor with a long track record. The company is entering its next phase of growth with international ambition and value creation, and is therefore in the market for a new Group CFO for this phase.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic partner to the CEO, shareholders, and advisory board.
- Drive the financial and value creation agenda across the Group.
- Lead capital allocation, profitability improvement, and performance management.
- Support strategic initiatives including acquisitions, integrations, refinancing, and organisational transformation.
Finance & Business Performance
- Full responsibility for Finance, Controlling, Treasury, Tax, Legal, and Risk.
- Deliver best-in-class reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and business planning.
- Drive cash generation, working capital optimisation, and liquidity management.
- Lead financing activities and maintain strong relationships with lenders and investors.
- Develop KPI-driven performance management across all business units and sales channels.
Commercial Finance & Value Creation
- Partner closely with Sales, Procurement, E-commerce, and Operations to improve commercial performance.
- Develop pricing, margin optimisation, and investment frameworks.
- Drive operational efficiency and cost optimisation initiatives.
- Build finance into a proactive business partner supporting strategic decision-making.
Transformation & Digitalisation
- Continue the digitalisation and automation of finance processes.
- Drive the development of ERP, Business Intelligence, and AI-enabled reporting capabilities.
- Support the ongoing evolution of the Group's technology landscape.
Leadership
- Lead and develop an international finance organisation.
- Build a high-performance, entrepreneurial culture.
- Develop leadership capability across the finance function and wider business.
CFO Profile
- Proven experience as CFO within an international retail, consumer, sports, or e-commerce business.
- Previous experience operating in a private equity-backed, transformational, or high-growth environment.
- Strong understanding of omnichannel business models, including e-commerce, B2B, and retail operations.
- Demonstrated success in improving profitability, cash generation, and organisational performance.
- Experience working with shareholders, lenders, and boards in leveraged environments.
- Track record in M&A, due diligence, post-merger integration, and business transformation.
- Strong commercial mindset with the ability to influence operational decision-making beyond finance.
- Hands-on leadership style with an entrepreneurial approach.
- Excellent analytical and communication skills.
- Business fluent in German and English.
The company is located in Baden-Württemberg area.
Only successful candidates will be contacted based on the investor's set of requirements.
Responsible for the search:
Julian Hove
Partner, CFO Practice
