Chief Financial Officer
SkyWater Search Partners has been retained by a privately held, Wisconsin-based manufacturing and distribution organization to identify its next Chief Financial Officer.
Over the last 50+ years, our client has grown its operations from a single manufacturing & service business into a diversified portfolio of manufacturing, distribution and fabrication companies serving commercial, industrial, and residential markets throughout North America. Today, the organization generates over $500M in revenue annually through the disciplined operation of a large number of business entities across the United States and Canada, combining the entrepreneurial culture of a family-owned business with the scale and complexity of a multi-entity enterprise.
The Chief Financial Officer opportunity has become available due to the planned retirement of a long-tenured executive after several decades of service with the organization. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will oversee all aspects of the company’s finance and accounting function while acting as a trusted strategic advisor to executive leadership and ownership.
Our client is seeking a forward-thinking finance executive who can build upon an already strong financial foundation, and play a critical role in leading the company through its next phase of growth. The ideal candidate will bring a balanced background in financial leadership, manufacturing operations, business partnership, and strategic decision-making, with experience supporting acquisitions, driving operational improvements, and influencing business performance across a diversified portfolio of operating companies.
***This position offers a highly competitive executive compensation package, including a market-based base salary, annual performance-based incentive opportunity, comprehensive benefits, and if needed, relocation assistance***
***We are currently considering candidates who are based in (or willing to relocate to) Northeast Wisconsin (Appleton, Manitowoc, Green Bay, De Pere, Oshkosh). This is an on-site executive leadership position, and the successful candidate will be expected to maintain a regular presence at the company’s corporate headquarters while traveling periodically to operating locations throughout North America.***
Responsibilities
- Partner strategically with the Senior Leadership Team to drive enterprise-wide financial performance, strategic financial & operational decisions, and corporate goals.
- Advise and collaborate directly with the Board of Directors, President, and Senior Leadership Team to align executive vision.
- Architect and execute the company's long-term financial strategy, vision, and growth roadmap to maximize market value.
- Identify, develop and execute analysis of business initiatives, and new service offerings
- Investigate potential acquisitions and lead various due diligence activities
- Select and engage consultants and auditors as required
- Operate as key point of contact for banking and business insurance relationships
- Manage the company’s risk management and insurance renewal process
- Recruit, interview, and hire finance and accounting leaders as required
- Assist in identifying and implementing systems and software to accurately collect and analyze critical financial and operational information, and inform strategic business decisions
- Collaborate with Finance and IT on financial software implementations and updates as needed
- Review and ensure application of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures
- Oversee and guide timely preparation and filing of all local, state, and federal tax returns
Desired Skills and Experience
- EDUCATION
- Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline
- CPA or CMA strongly preferred
- MBA preferred but not required QUALIFICATIONS
- 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience within a complex, multi-entity manufacturing, industrial, or distribution organization with significant inventory operations
- Demonstrated Divisional, Business Unit, Vice President, or CFO-level finance leadership, appropriate and aligned to the scale and scope of our client's operations
- Prior M&A experience within an acquisitive, growth-oriented environment
- Robust financial systems expertise required
- High capacity to multi-task and manage competing priorities simultaneously
- Ability to travel domestically (25%) including several international trips/year PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & LEADERSHIP TRAITS
- Strategic and passionate thinker who drives results
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong relationships and collaborate effectively
- Change agent who possesses a high level of initiative
- Demonstrates absolute integrity and ethics
- Influences through listening, validating and empowering direct reports and broader team
- Embodies intellectual curiosity & an optimistic approach to organizational transformation & growth
- Skilled manager and motivator of people and teams
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ABOUT SKYWATER SEARCH
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