Job Title
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (FOOD Retail Sector, PE Ptf Co)
Client
Our Client is undisclosed. They are a mid‑sized company of 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 the potential for significant growth under the guidance of a newly appointed CEO.
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 directly to the CEO.
Key Goals
* Establish trust with the CEO and shareholders, delivering impact as a key partner to the business;
* Implement systems and processes to ensure the regular flow of information with full integrity;
* Position Finance as a go‑to function, communicating effectively at all levels.
Specific Responsibilities & Critical Priorities
* Establish the Finance function as a disciplined, effective financial view that assists the CEO; develop a controlled environment through solid knowledge of all domains: Controlling, Accounting, Treasury.
* Design necessary processes within Finance, engaging people across other functions to develop collective intelligence.
* Evolve the vision of Finance as a key contributor to growth, anticipating and providing answers by developing partnership behaviours with each function.
* Set up processes to manage accounting and controlling consistently; provide team operational guidelines and upskilling; define and produce Management Reporting Standards, ensuring business engagement and buy‑in.
* Take leadership of all functional areas, ensuring:
o Accounting – proper General Ledger, financial controls and reconciliations, monthly reporting cycle, statutory books and tax reports, balance sheet.
o Controlling – shape and develop the controlling function, deliver reliable information, consistent planning, budgeting and forecasting, appropriate KPIs.
o Treasury – manage cash control methodologies, cash planning and forecasting, inflation and FX management, compliance with financing from the PE fund.
* Project Management – PMO mindset to face current and future projects, acting as a catalyst for decision‑making.
* Team & Leadership – manage the existing team, coach and upskill; act as sparring partner to the CEO, creating a new professional culture.
Requirements (Must Have)
* University degree in Economics.
* 15+ years Finance experience, ideally in structured, modern companies with international scope; preference for experience in process industries and food retail.
* Solid technical background in delivering execution; ease in a fast‑changing, growing environment.
* Demonstrated track of achievements in Accounting, Statutory Balance Sheet, Controlling/FP&A, Treasury, Tax.
* Business partnership mindset rooted in analytics; ability to understand market dynamics, assess opportunities and risks, and take appropriate decisions.
* Full ownership in front of key internal and external stakeholders.
* Fluency in both Italian and English.
* Location: North of Italy, Vicenza area (presence on‑site required).
Key Skills
* Dynamic, energetic professional with leadership potential.
* Results‑oriented leadership with focus on shaping results and raising standards.
* Hands‑on, organized, capable of working in complexity and fast‑paced environments.
* Decisiveness with incomplete data; strong business judgment.
* Excellent relationship skills, ability to engage, reassure and manage change.
* Strong communicator, able to influence and articulate insights to CEO and stakeholders.
* Entrepreneurial style, willing to join a mid‑size company with strong growth potential.
* Previous experience with a PE setting, LBO financing and M&A is a plus.
Contact
Open Executive Search & Selection – Milan & London, Umana.
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