BSG From the Boardroom

• Chief Financial Officer
• Trusted partner to CEO and PE Firm
• Tri state NY area

BSG Team Ventures has commenced an executive search for a Chief Financial Officer for our client, a well-known and respected brand in their consumer goods category sold through upper-end retail distribution partners. As a key member of the management team, the CFO will provide strategic financial input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the organization by the development of sophisticated financial planning, budgeting and forecasting models.

Opportunity Overview

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

THE COMPANY

The company is a well-known and respected brand in their consumer goods category sold through upper-end retail distribution partners. There are experienced private equity investors actively involved in growing the business. This company has strong financials, with oversized EBITDA and an asset-light business operating model.

THE POSITION

As a key member of the management team, the CFO will provide strategic financial input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the organization by the development of sophisticated financial planning, budgeting and forecasting models for operating and capital purposes, product/service profitability and contribution analyses and special project analyses as needed.  Key to the role is an ability to bring a strategic level of leadership to the finance function, serving as financial strategist while managing the day-to-day requirements of the finance, legal, IT Operations & HR departments.

The CFO will be part of the senior operating team with principal responsibilities including:

• Oversee and direct finance, treasury, budgeting and forecasting, audit, tax, accounting, purchasing, forecasting, and metric management activities for the organization.
• Provide strategic and tactical thinking, as well as broad business insight. Take a leadership role in developing the financial strategy to support the growth of the business, while continuing to drive operating efficiencies.
• Interact with the company’s Board of Directors, including audit committee and outside independent auditor firm, including producing monthly financial statements for Board, CEO, lenders and other management.
• Support and partner with senior management team with improved ongoing analytical and financial management data and insight, Developing and utilizing forward-looking, predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization’s operations and business plans.
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with lending institutions, investment bankers, financial analysts, shareholders and the financial community in general.
• Manage all corporate financial functions including general accounting, internal reporting and controls, planning, human resources, budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Oversee all regulatory and tax reporting.
• Direct the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets and cash flow projections.
• Drive any additional capital raising efforts, if needed.
• Establish best practices, identify and implement operational and system enhancements, and recommend new initiatives.
• Maintaining and improving “dashboard” of key metrics and distributing weekly and monthly reports.
• Overseeing cash, funds, investment and asset management.
• Managing the relationship with the Company’s lenders and ensuring compliance with its various reporting requirements.
• Overseeing and coordinating tax reporting and annual audit.
• Analyzing, consolidating and directing all cost accounting procedures together with other statistical and routine reports.
• Directing and analyzing studies of general economic, business, and financial conditions and their impact on the organization's policies and operations.
• Ensuring financial compliance with company procedures, programs and government regulations.
• Evaluating and recommending business partnership opportunities.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

A summary of key competencies required to be successful include the following:

FUNCTIONAL EXPERIENCE 

• Financial
  • Forecasting
    • Company
    • Customer
  • Cash management (AR/AP, treasury)
  • Board reporting
  • FP&A modeling
  • Audit and regulatory management (CPA and audit committee)
  • Operating and capital budget creation/management
  • Lender and bank covenant management
  • M&A relationship management (buy & sell-side), diligence, financials and integration impact
  • Accounting and monthly closes
  • Successful M&A and/or public exit experience
  • Tax, including revenue recognition and stock options accounting, etc.
  • Financial dashboard creation and management of KPIs
  • Professional and educational certifications: CPA
• Legal
  • Contracts: creation, review and management
    • contract manufacturing supply chain
    • distribution channel partners

• IT
  • ERP implementation and management
  • ERP driven intelligence gathering for operations performance improvement
• HR
  • Staffing, oversight & reporting
• Office Management
  • Lease negotiations, PP&E, etc.
• Operations
  • Warehouse management (inventory, pick/pack/ship, etc.)

INDUSTRY - CONSUMER PRODUCTS

• Apparel designers/manufacturers
• Home furnishings
• Toys
• Consumer lighting and fixtures
• Small consumer appliances (kitchen/bath)

CORPORATE STAGE

• Building processes and best practices without suffocating speed, innovation, and customer  satisfaction
• Working with Board of Directors comprised of PE investors
• Sales growth from $30M—> $100M+
• Builder leader vs. optimizer leader

MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Track record of hiring/upgrading to A players for A team
• Driving creation and buy-in to KPIs, goals, metrics within own team and cross-functionally where appropriate/necessary

MARKETS & CUSTOMERS

• Consumer products
• Retail
• Household goods
• Big box retailers
• Top brand discount clubs (e.g. Costco)

GENERAL:

Finally, this individual should have as many as possible of the traits required to succeed in this leadership position:

• High levels of intelligence, analytical strength and conceptual ability.
• The ability, and willingness, to set and communicate demanding standards for professional staff and to hold people accountable for their performance; at the same time, sensitivity to, and insight into individuals’ capabilities and development needs, and the combination of firmness and likability that all good leaders possess.
• Decisiveness when necessary, coupled with a willingness to seek input and build consensus as much as possible.
• Unquestioned honesty and integrity; also, loyalty to colleagues and to the organization, and the ability to inspire loyalty. This person should have the ability to identify and focus on the Company’s best interests, rather than the agenda of any individual or group within the firm.
• A very high level of energy and commitment, combined with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills; this individual must be able to communicate complex ideas and information clearly and concisely.
• Outstanding planning and organization skills.
• Good strategic instincts and long-term vision; the ability to address both big-picture issues and detailed, day-to-day management concerns.
• In general, the business and personal skills, and the absolute commitment required to make a major contribution to The Company during the coming years.
• Attention to detail required to deliver consistently accurate data, information and reporting on time and on budget.
• A sense of ownership, not just of his or her own work, or that of their department, but a sense of ownership for the company as a whole.
• Work ethic required to do what it takes to get the job done, and invest the time required to deliver on key responsibilities in a timely fashion.

Team

The company staff currently numbers approximately 25, with plans for strategic growth across 2017 and into 2018, both organic and inorganic.  Reporting to this role are staff members who manage HR, IT, and AR/AP. 

Financial Backing

A private equity company purchased a controlling interest in 2016.  As such, this PE investor brings operating expertise, expansion capital, and both organic and inorganic strategic growth leadership that catalyzes all of their portfolio companies.   

Compensation

Compensation is competitive with the position’s requirements.  In a performance-based environment, this will include base salary, bonus structure based on corporate qualitative and quantitative strategic KPIs, and a stakeholder position in the company.

CONTACT or SUBMIT RESUME: