THE COMPANY
Located in Chicago, this company is a value – added distributor of tactical and assault equipment for defense, public safety, and security organizations. The company is backed by a well-known private equity firm in Chicago. The firm is enjoying strong growth and excellent profitability.
THE POSITION
The Chief Financial Officer will report directly to the CEO and be one of the key leadership positions in the company. This position is responsible for developing and implementing the financial strategy for the company’s future growth. The immediate task is to integrate and upgrade the financial and information system structure, processes, and controls to keep pace with the anticipated growth. The CFO needs a strong operations mentality and the capability to act as a COO in conjunction with his/her CFO responsibilities.
Key responsibilities of leading and managing the financial affairs for this company include:
· Integrating financial reporting with the strategic and operating plans to improve cost allocation and measure profitability across product lines, providing insightful reporting to management. This person must understand the profitability of planning new products. Implicit within this goal is enhancing the financial sensitivity of the company by proactively addressing the tough questions within the organization as well as enhancing the financial management skills of operating and functional managers.
· Tightening financial policies and improving corporate-wide financial controls to ensure accurate, consistent, and timely reporting of financial data.
· Further automating and integrating accounting, budgeting, and reporting systems while also creating new systems where appropriate. Helping integrate systems with other functional areas to improve efficiencies and effectiveness across the company.
· Dealing with outside investors and banks, developing cash flow analyses and strong cash management policies.
· Setting budgets and monitoring goals and progress according to plan.
· Monitoring and communicating the impact of various operational decisions on the company’s compliance with bank covenants and requirements.
· Analyzing potential mergers and acquisitions, preparing financial reports, and making presentations to senior management and the Board of Directors.
· Raising the level of sophistication and impact of the financial staff to provide leadership across the company on operational issues.
· Proactively leading the business analysis, administration, and planning functions.
· Managing, motivating, and developing the staff, and building an organization with strong succession planning goals in place.
THE INDIVIDUAL
It is not a “must have,” but the ideal candidate has experience in a government contracts business. He/she has worked for a leveraged company before, and has plenty of hands-on experience dealing with outside investors and lenders. Previous experience interfacing with a Board is also important. The individual must have the presence and ability to deal with the financial community at a senior level. He/she should have experience assessing financial systems as well. Previous experience as a COO is a real plus. Process reengineering experience as well as knowledge of HR requirements is helpful.
The successful candidate will hold a high regard for personal responsibility and accountability. He/she should have strong oral and written communication skills, a sense of humor, and the ability to work well in a team-management environment. An entrepreneurial spirit and drive is critical and having a passion for his/her work and the success of the organization is vital. Characteristics of the right fit include:
·Strong presence
·Communication skills- able to convey the message
·Open management style/delegator
·Team player
·Grasp of the business model
·High energy level
·Sense of urgency
·Process reengineering experience
·Willingness to get into details, hands-on
·Ability to handle stress
·Stability
·Leadership style to act as a COO
·Organization skills
·Willingness to remove people
·Ability to attract others to the company
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