Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Somerset County, NJ

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

We have been retained by a growth-minded, privately held $225m+ commercial interior and architectural products client located in Somerset County (NJ) to identify their next Chief Financial Officer (CFO).  With a specialty in workplace solutions, offering interior architectural products, furniture, and furnishings for use in commercial, educational, and healthcare verticals; our client also provides facilities management, asset management, furniture refurbishing/repair and brokering, move management, space planning and design services. The Company provides its solutions primarily to Fortune 500 firms, large institutional clients, government agencies, and non-profits.

ROLE SUMMARY:
 
The CFO will play a pivotal role in driving the financial success and growth by fostering innovation and a persistent focus on process improvement. The ideal candidate will not only possess strong communication skills but will also have an innate ability to convey complex concepts clearly to employees, partners, and potential investors. This clarity of communication extends to distilling essential insights and actionable financial strategies from lists of data points. Furthermore, this candidate should exhibit a resolute willingness to engage and confront challenges head-on, contributing to a culture of openness, problem-solving, and continuous improvement within the organization.

As a visionary leader at the executive level, the CFO will oversee all financial operations, offering strategic financial guidance and advice while shaping company direction through robust FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) and operational performance functions. Collaborating closely with the CEO, senior leadership team, advisory board of directors, and other key stakeholders, the CFO will ensure the financial health, sustainability, and profitability of the organization.

The CFO will report directly to the CEO, serving as a trusted business partner. In addition to overseeing and directing all financial activities of the company, the successful candidate will embody a hands-on approach, ready to effect change in a business that is rapidly expanding in size, scope, and complexity. The CFO will become the driving force for innovation and process enhancement while fostering a people-focused leadership style.

Given the senior and tenured nature of the team, this role extends beyond operational excellence to include a strong emphasis on talent development and recruitment within the finance function. The CFO will play a crucial role in ushering in new solutions and methodologies into the workflow, all while nurturing and cultivating the next generation of finance talent.

Direct reports will include several professionals spanning Accounting, Financial Operations, FP&A, Treasury, and ERP system management, all working together to contribute to our organization's continued success and growth.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A):

• Develop and implement financial planning processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial modeling.
• Analyze financial results, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.  Collaborate with department heads to develop and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with overall corporate objectives.
• Evaluate investment opportunities, conduct financial due diligence, and provide recommendations to optimize capital allocation.
• Implement financial performance measurement metrics and regularly report on key financial indicators to the executive team and the Board of Directors.

Operational Strategy:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiencies, streamline processes, and reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.
• Conduct financial and operational analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing business models and propose enhancements.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations on new market entry, product launches, and other strategic initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes to identify potential risks and opportunities for the business.
• Maintain key relationships and develop funding options with other debt or equity resources, including potential private investors, family offices and/or private equity.  
• Evaluate potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A) opportunities, utilizing previous experience of effectively navigating and executing M&A transactions to enhance the company's growth and profitability.

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Ensure accurate and timely financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Oversee financial accounting, reporting, and compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulations.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and financial institutions.
• Develop and implement internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure financial integrity.
• Present financial performance, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to the executive team, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a high-performance culture, and promoting professional development.
• Recruit, train, and retain top finance talent, ensuring that the team has the necessary skills and resources to support company objectives.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration and effective communication with stakeholders across the organization.

• Provide leadership on all financial issues facing the Company.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate all accounting functions.
• Ensure that proper financial and operational controls are in place.
• Participate in the development of the Company’s annual business plan and budgets as a strategic partner. Continually improve the budgeting process through education of senior leaders/managers on financial issues impacting their budgets.
• Evaluate the state of the business, identifying issues, and advising on the impact of long range planning, introduction of new programs, investment decisions, alliances, mergers/acquisitions, and other growth strategies.
• Develop the necessary financial reports to support business decisions; analyze and interpret financial results on a timely basis to assist the President/CEO, Board members and other senior leaders in performing their responsibilities.
• Provide business guidance and mentorship for Delivery, Installation, Warehousing and Logistics.
• Protect corporate assets through the development and implementation of sound accounting policies, controls and procedures.
• Develop and implement policies/procedures which employ the appropriate systems to improve operational effectiveness of the Corporation.
• Optimize banking and deposit relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash position.
• Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism which includes minimum cash thresholds to meet operating needs.
• Provide technical financial advice and knowledge to others within the organization. 
• Oversee the Company’s SERP and commercial insurances through a captive.
• Ongoing evaluation of the Accounting, IT, Operations, and Account Coordinator departments; their structure, teams and planning, for continual improvement and effectiveness of the groups, as well as providing individuals with professional and personal growth.
• Be an advisor from the financial perspective on any contracts into which the Company may enter.
• Provide analytical support and guidance to the CEO and the Board in their consideration of strategic goals to optimize the enterprise value of the Company.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 15 years of experience in corporate finance
• Five (5) or more years as a CFO in a privately held company environment
• Experience in the Commercial Interiors industry is highly preferred.
• Strong financial planning and analysis skills, including proficiency in financial modeling and forecasting.
• Demonstrated experience in operational strategy development and execution.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, financial regulations, and compliance standards.
• Excellent leadership abilities with a track record of building and leading high-performing finance teams.
• Should be a self-motivated, operational leader who thrives in a non-bureaucratic, hands-on environment
• Possess the ability to identify problems and the initiative to develop timely and effective solutions.

• Forward-thinking individual with high ethical standards
• Strong interpersonal skills that will enable him/her to develop productive and lasting relationships with the Company leadership.
• The flexibility to interact and deal with a variety of people and businesses, resolving complex problems with specific solutions.
• Proactive, decisive and results-driven leader who is an adaptable team player with seasoned business judgment.
• Strong communicator and educator who inspires trust and is comfortable serving as a mentor.
• Superior negotiation skills with ability to navigate contractual scenarios to achieve business objectives.      
• Comfortable performing multiple roles, engaging in the strategic and tactical as necessary. 

EDUCATION:

• BS/BA in Finance, Accounting, or a related field
• MBA is highly preferred
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is preferred
• GAAP proficiency is required.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS/CULTURE:

• Highly competitive base salary (depending on experience)
• Annual target bonus program
• Additional executive level incentives
• Competitive benefits, PTO, 401k and employee programs
• IN-Office position out of New Jersey Corporate Headquarters

IND123