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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and manage relationships with private equity partners.
- Company: Join a niche food production business backed by private equity, poised for growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with flexibility and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the company's future and driving impactful M&A activities.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with proven M&A experience in a P/E backed environment.
- Other info: Ideal candidates should be located in the Midlands to North, but location is flexible.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
The client is a PE Backed niche Food production business. The business has now reached the stage where it is seeking a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to help lead the business into its next stage of development. The CFO will be a critical appointment as part of that development.
The Role of CFO
- To play an active role as CFO on the main board and contribute to all aspects of day-to-day and long-term strategy decisions where appropriate.
- Take an active lead in managing the PE House relationship.
- Take full responsibility for reviewing and ensuring the finance team is fit for purpose including mentoring of key reports to ensure their continued development and as part of that ensuring the financial information is prepared in an accurate and timely manner, to ensure that the business maximises its profits and cash through controlled growth.
- Play a lead role in likely M&A activity over the next few years (bolt on acquisitions and eventual sale of part or all the business where appropriate).
The Candidate For CFO
- A qualified accountant with logical career moves and an impressive track record implementing the entire M&A process (both acquisition and sale if possible) and supporting growth within a P/E backed organisation. Please note this M&A experience is a client non negotiable.
- Enjoy getting into the detail required within an SME, whilst also being able to take a strategic leadership position at Board level, evidenced by the design / implementation of strategic goals into objectives.
- Sector experience: ideally Food production.
This is a hybrid role. Whilst the candidate will be expected to visit the finance teams (weekly catch up in a shared office environment), attend monthly Operations Boards, main Boards as well as visiting potential and newly acquired businesses most of the role can be performed from home. The biggest current business is based on the English/Welsh border so the candidate’s location will be preferably Midlands to North, but this is more a preference than a specific requirement.
Contact Detail:
AR Hine Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the private equity and food production sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with key players who might provide insights or referrals for the CFO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific challenges and trends within the food production industry, especially those related to private equity. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your M&A experience in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed acquisitions and sales, as this is a non-negotiable requirement for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's current financial position and strategic goals. Understanding their business model and growth plans will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in M&A processes, particularly within P/E backed organisations. Emphasise your strategic leadership roles and any relevant achievements in the food production sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your qualifications align with the specific requirements of the CFO role. Discuss your experience managing finance teams and your approach to mentoring key reports, as well as your strategic vision for the business.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your logical career moves and significant accomplishments in M&A activities. Provide examples of how you've supported growth and maximised profits in previous roles.
Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions related to your M&A experience and your ability to contribute to both day-to-day operations and long-term strategy. Be ready to discuss how you would manage relationships with PE Houses and lead financial teams effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at AR Hine Associates
✨Showcase Your M&A Expertise
Since M&A experience is a non-negotiable requirement, be prepared to discuss specific examples of your involvement in the entire M&A process. Highlight your successes and any challenges you overcame, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead in this area.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
As a CFO, you'll need to contribute to long-term strategy decisions. Prepare to discuss how you've previously designed and implemented strategic goals into actionable objectives. Use concrete examples to illustrate your strategic mindset.
✨Emphasise Team Development
The role involves mentoring key reports and ensuring the finance team is fit for purpose. Be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you've successfully developed teams in the past, particularly in a fast-paced environment like food production.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the niche food production sector and the specific challenges it faces. Showing that you understand the industry will not only impress the interviewers but also position you as a candidate who can hit the ground running.
