Company Description
J.C. Watson Packing Co. is a fourth generation, values-driven company with a rich legacy spanning over 100 years. Rooted in excellence and trust, the organization has continuously grown and prospered by staying true to its mission. Focused on providing high-quality products and services, J.C. Watson Packing Co. consistently delivers value to its customers and partners. Located in Parma, ID, the company takes pride in fostering a culture of integrity and innovation.
Role Description
J.C. Watson Packing Co. is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a full-time, on-site position in Parma, ID. The CFO serves as a strategic business partner to executive leadership and is responsible for the overall financial leadership, integrity, and long-term financial health of the Company, its subsidiaries, operations, and related investment activities. The CFO provides oversight of accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury management, payroll, tax strategy, compliance, capital planning, and financial forecasting across a complex multi-entity agricultural organization.
This executive leadership role is responsible for developing and executing financial strategies that support operational performance, agricultural production planning, growth initiatives, and organizational sustainability. The CFO partners closely with ownership, growers, operational leadership, and external advisors to drive financial transparency, improve profitability, strengthen internal controls, and support strategic decision-making across all entities.
The CFO also leads annual planning and budget implementation processes, oversees grower and crop settlement activities, manages banking and audit relationships, and ensures compliance with all applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, and company policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Executive Financial Leadership
- Serve as a key strategic advisor to executive leadership regarding financial performance, operational strategy, investments, and organizational growth
- Lead the financial planning and analysis (FP&A) process to support short- and long-term business objectives
- Provide executive-level financial reporting, forecasts, dashboards, and strategic recommendations to ownership and leadership teams
- Facilitate financial review meetings, including preparation and presentation of financial results, operational analyses, and performance metrics
- Lead annual planning initiatives and organization-wide budget roll-out processes
- Evaluate business opportunities, capital expenditures, investments, and operational initiatives from a financial perspective
- Develop and implement financial strategies that improve profitability, cash flow, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability
Accounting & Financial Management
- Direct all accounting operations including general ledger, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management
- Oversee month-end, quarterly, and year-end close processes across multiple entities
- Ensure timely preparation and accuracy of internal and external financial statements and management reports
- Maintain integrity of accounting records, financial systems, and reporting processes
- Oversee reconciliation of intercompany accounts, loans, and entity consolidations
- Ensure accurate allocation of farm overhead, labor, and operational costs across entities, departments, and projects
- Oversee grower settlements and agricultural production accounting processes
- Assist operational teams with share crop billings, onion seed billings, and other agricultural billing activities
Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis
- Lead development of annual operating budgets for packing, farming and hops operations
- Oversee budget implementation and monitor organizational performance against approved budgets and forecasts
- Prepare financial forecasts, variance analyses, and profitability analyses for executive leadership
- Lead annual capital planning processes across all entities
- Monitor financial and operational trends and provide actionable recommendations to leadership
- Oversee cash flow forecasting, working capital management, and liquidity planning
- Support strategic modeling, scenario planning, and long-range forecasting initiatives
Treasury, Banking & Risk Management
- Manage relationships with banking institutions, lenders, insurance providers, and financial partners
- Oversee treasury functions including cash management, borrowing, and capital planning
- Coordinate annual insurance renewals and risk management activities
- Monitor organizational risk exposure and recommend mitigation strategies
- Support financing activities, investment oversight, and asset management
- Ensure appropriate internal controls and safeguards are maintained to protect company assets
Tax, Compliance & Audit Management
- Oversee tax planning, tax estimates, and coordination of federal, state, and local tax filings
- Coordinate preparation and review of organizational tax returns with external tax advisors and CPAs
- Lead year-end financial preparation and audit coordination activities
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax regulations, labor laws, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements
- Lead annual financial audits, insurance audits, and governmental audits
- Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems
- Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, legal counsel, and consultants as needed
Grower & Ownership Relations
- Meet regularly with ownership to review financial performance, operational results, budgets, and strategic initiatives
- Provide financial transparency and reporting support to ownership and stakeholders
- Support operational leadership in evaluating crop profitability, production costs, and financial performance metrics
Systems, Process Improvement & Technology
- Provide executive oversight of accounting and financial systems
- Lead initiatives to improve financial processes, automation, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiencies
- Evaluate and implement technology solutions that support organizational growth and scalability
- Ensure proper system controls, documentation, and user training are maintained
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Lead, mentor, and develop accounting and finance personnel
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
- Partner with operations, sales, HR, and administrative leadership to support organizational objectives
- Communicate financial concepts and operational impacts effectively to non-financial stakeholders
Other
- Maintain confidentiality and security of financial, employee, and organizational information
- Perform additional executive leadership and financial management duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
- 8–12+ years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or management experience in finance/accounting operations
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, tax planning, and internal controls
- Experience managing multi-entity accounting environments
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial systems, and accounting software
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic financial initiatives and organizational planning
Preferred
- CPA designation strongly preferred
- Experience in agriculture, farming, agribusiness, manufacturing, or seasonal-labor industries
- Experience with agricultural production accounting, grower settlements, and crop cost allocation
- Experience with banking relationships, financing activities, and treasury management
- MBA or advanced financial certifications preferred
Skills & Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong business and financial acumen
- Executive presence with strong leadership and decision-making capabilities
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Hands-on leadership style with ability to operate both strategically and tactically
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and organizational outcomes
