Chief Financial Officer

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (FOOD Retail Sector, PE Ptf Co)

Please note that only those profiles that meet client requirements will be responded to and contacted. Thank you.

The Client:

Our Client is undisclosed.

They are mid-sized company of c.€50m in revenues operating in FMCG, which is being acquired by a leading PE fund.

Specifically, they operate within a growing niche of the food sector, with internal R&D and manufacturing, and a diversified distribution encompassing products under their own brand as well as third parties, with a significant share of exports.

They have positive business KPIs, and the potential for a significant growth, under the guidance of a newly appointed CEO who comes across with relevant track-record of success. The plans for the next strategic trajectory imply a dynamic equity story, where Finance will be pivotal to sustain the business.

Position – The role:

The new role of CFO is required to shape and support growth, both in Italy and across international markets, both organic and inorganic. The role is strategic and is designed to report solid line to the CEO.

The key goals will be:

1. Come across with track and credibility on one side, and a hands-on leadership style on the other, to establish trust with both the CEO and Shareholders, and deliver impact in setting up finance, as a key partner to the business;
   
2. Implement systems and process to ensure regular flow of information, their integrity, with full domain of all technical topics;
   
3. Position Finance as a go-to-function, a partner able to communicate effectively at all levels, addressing consistent dialogue upwards on one side, and fixing things at all levels on the other.

Position – Specific responsibilities & critical priorities:

• Establish the Finance function , as a function able to:
• Quickly implement an effective, disciplined financial view able to assist the CEO;
  develop a controlled environment through solid knowledge of all domains: Controlling, Accounting, and Treasury
• Design necessary processes within finance, yet engaging people across other functions to develop collective intelligence
• Evolve the vision of Finance as key contributor to growth, able to anticipate and provide answers by developing key-partnering behaviours with each and every function
• Process : set up of processes to manage accounting and controlling consistently, providing team operational guidelines and upskilling;
  define and produce Management Reporting Standards, and ensure business engagement and buy-in
• Take the leadership of all functional areas in the scope , and ensure:
• Accounting – proper General Ledger, financial controls and reconciliations are in place, to grant book integrity. Elaborate progressively: 1) a Monthly Reporting Cycle with a set of KPIs to help understanding the business;
  2) periodicStatutory Books and Tax Reports;
  and 3) the Balance Sheet.
• Controlling – shape and develop the controlling function, ensure the timely production of a reliable set of information for the Executive team;
  deliver consistent planning, budgeting and forecasting cycles;
  design the appropriate KPIs to monitor the business and potential new projects.
• Treasury – Manage cash control methodologies, cash planning and forecasting, inflation and FX management and everything needed to comply with the financing that will be put in place by the PE fund
• Project Management : PMO mindset to face current and future projects, with finance acting as a catalyst for decision-making. Provide insightful contributions across specific topics and take the leadership of new projects, in full alignment with the CEO.
• Team & Leadership : Manage the existing team, and sustain people through coaching and upskilling. A broader Leadership perspective will be to act as sparring partner to the CEO in creating a new professional culture and a role model to colleagues, influencing behaviours and decisions across functions, supporting the CEO and Shareholders in taking thoughtful, predictive decisions.

Requirements (“Must have”):

University degree in Economics.

• A CFO / Jr CFO with Controlling background, or a senior Finance Professional with real ability to step up to CFO. Must possess a solid experience of 15+ years Finance experience, in structured, modern companies with international scope, ideally accustomed to process industries ;
  food retail as a preference.
• Solid technical background in delivering execution , i.E. supporting growth while shaping the Finance function;
  at ease in working in fast-changing, growing environment.
• Demonstrated track of achievements , in delivering all requirements connected to Accounting & Statutory Balance Sheet – Controlling/FP&A – Treasury – Tax, and :
• Business partnership mindset, rooted on business analytics, coupled with the ability to:
• understand market dynamics;
  assess opportunities and risks for the business;
  take appropriate decisions based on solid arguments;
  
• enforce the perception of Finance as key contributor to value creation,
• take full ownership in front of key internal and external stakeholders.

Key skills will encompass:

1. A dynamic, energetic professional, with leadership potential to take on ambitious challenges
2. Results-oriented leadership : a strong focus on shaping results, able to persist and raise the bar to new standards. Provides compelling reasons for improvement, removes obstacles and provides guidance, with a clear focus on key priorities and resistance to setbacks.
3. Hands on and organized. Used not only to face complexities, yet do so in a fast-paced environment
4. Able to decide , although with incomplete set of information, make a judgement on opportunities and risks with business lens, and deliver.
5. Mature relationship skills to interact properly at all levels of the organisation. Empathic yet demanding with people, able to engage yet reassure while managing any necessary upskill or change. Able to create a performing culture, and convey engagement even when under pressure, can see the big picture for self and others
6. A good communicator who can influence the audience, provide insights and articulate reasons in front of the CEO and stakeholders.
7. Entrepreneurial style and willing to join a mid-size company with strong growth potential and make it a champion in its space. Fit with Leadership, stakeholders, culture and mission
8. Whilst not a must have, previous experience with a PE setting, LBO financing and M&A are a plus

• Fluency in both Italian and English is a must.
• Location : Noth of Italy, Vicenza area (the position requires presence on-site).