CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (FOOD Retail Sector, PE Fund)
Our Client is undisclosed. They are a mid‑sized company with approximately €50m in revenues operating in FMCG, currently being acquired by a leading PE fund. 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 significant growth potential under the guidance of a newly‑appointed CEO with a strong track record of success. The strategic trajectory requires 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, through organic and inorganic initiatives. The position is strategic, reporting directly to the CEO.
Key Goals
* Establish trust with the CEO and shareholders through credibility, a hands‑on leadership style, and a partnership approach to finance.
* Implement systems and processes to ensure a regular flow of information, data integrity, and complete technical oversight.
* Position Finance as a go‑to function, communicating effectively at all levels and addressing consistent dialogue both upwards and downwards.
Position – Specific Responsibilities & Critical Priorities
* Establish the Finance function:
o Implement an effective, disciplined financial view to support the CEO; develop a controlled environment through expertise in Controlling, Accounting, and Treasury.
o Design necessary processes within finance while engaging people across other functions to develop collective intelligence.
o Evolve Finance as a key contributor to growth, anticipating and providing answers by building partner‑behaviours with each function.
o Set up processes to manage accounting and controlling consistently, provide operational guidelines, upskill the team, define and produce Management Reporting Standards, and secure business engagement.
o Lead all functional areas, ensuring:
+ Accounting – proper General Ledger, financial controls, reconciliations, monthly reporting cycle with KPIs, statutory books, tax reports, and balance sheet.
+ Controlling – develop the function, deliver reliable information for the Executive team, and design appropriate KPIs for business monitoring and new projects.
+ Treasury – manage cash control, planning and forecasting, inflation and FX management, and support financing provided by the PE fund.
+ Project Management – PMO mindset for current and future projects, acting as a catalyst for decision making and taking leadership on new projects with full alignment to the CEO.
+ Team & Leadership – manage the existing team, sustain people through coaching and upskilling, act as a sparring partner to the CEO, and influence behaviours and decisions across functions.
Requirements (Must Have)
University degree in Economics.
* A CFO / Junior CFO with Controlling background, or a senior Finance Professional with real ability to step up to CFO. Must possess solid experience of 15+ years in finance 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 a fast‑changing, growing environment.
* Demonstrated track of achievements, in delivering all requirements connected to Accounting & Statutory Balance Sheet – Controlling/FP&A – Treasury – Tax, and:
o Business partnership mindset rooted in 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
* A dynamic, energetic professional, with leadership potential to take on ambitious challenges.
* Results‑oriented leadership: strong focus on shaping results, able to persist and raise the bar, remove obstacles, and provide guidance with clear focus on key priorities.
* Hands‑on and organized: used to face complexities and do so in a fast‑paced environment.
* Able to decide with incomplete information, making judgments on opportunities and risks with a business lens, and delivering.
* Mature relationship skills to interact properly at all levels of the organisation; empathic yet demanding, able to engage, reassure, upskill, and manage change, creating a performing culture and conveying engagement even under pressure.
* A good communicator who can influence the audience, provide insights, and articulate reasons in front of the CEO and stakeholders.
* Entrepreneurial style and willingness to join a mid‑size company with strong growth potential and champion its space; fit with Leadership, stakeholders, culture, and mission.
* Whilst not a must, previous experience with a PE setting, LBO financing and M&A are a plus.
* Fluency in both Italian and English is a must.
* Location: North of Italy, Vicenza area (the position requires presence on‑site).
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