Chief Financial Officer- Pet Segment

Description

The Pet Segment Chief Financial Officer is an advisor to the President of Pet Products and to his direct reports, evaluating and assisting them with their strategic direction, financial plans and economic modeling. S/he will be responsible for overseeing all financial fiduciary responsibilities for the Pet organization. The responsibilities include financial reporting, analysis, budgeting, business planning and accuracy of Pet financial statements, internal controls and financial diligence of potential acquisitions. The position reports to Central’s Chief Financial Officer and to the Pet President and is responsible for financial operations of the Pet organization with over $1.8 Billion in sales and a team of 80 finance professionals located across the country.

Partnering with the President of Pet Products, this role will play a critical role in developing and implementing the strategy for Central’s Pet organization and will identify and reduce inefficiency, aid in increasing sales and profit margins and achieve a greater effectiveness in financial management, processes and reporting.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Executive Management

• Serve as a member of the Pet leadership team
• Serve as a member of the CFO’s leadership team.
• Participate in Pet organization key decisions pertaining to strategic initiatives, operating model and operational execution.
• Engage Central’s CFO around financial issues, trends, and changes in the operating model(s) and operational delivery.

Strategy, Financial Planning, and Analysis

• As a true business partner to the President of Pet Products and commercial organization, assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and long-term strategy and work with the business to develop recovery plans as needed.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the CFO and other Leadership Team members and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Assist in establishing yearly objectives and KPIs along with tracking mechanisms.
• Analyze the financial details of each business unit and commercial operations in order to identify opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Direct and coordinate the financial planning and budgeting for the entire Pet organization utilizing corporate planning processes and tools.
• Lead and improve financial forecasting accuracy for the Pet organization in coordination with the business.
• Direct analysis of financial results and ad hoc analysis.
• Analyze return on investment for new products, brand building activities and other company investments.
• Develop and maintain capital budget.

Financial and Operational Management Reporting

• Prepare and/or direct the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, business operational packages and scorecards.
• Prepare Pet organization financial packages and analysis for the Board of Directors.
• Monitor, audit and develop Pet organization finance team to ensure that appropriate accounting methodologies and practices are routine, and the books are closed and detailed management reporting is performed on a timely and accurate basis.

Team Management

• Build a strong finance team by leading, training and developing the Pet organization finance team.
• Establish a robust pipeline of talent as succession candidates.
• Facilitate financial changes in conjunction with the Company’s changing business needs and industry climate.
• Participate in ensuring Central is an inspiring, challenging and rewarding environment for employees.

Financial Operations

• Manage cash flow and forecasting. Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and work with Corporate Treasury to right size the Company’s investment in working capital.
• Oversee the finance and accounting team to ensure proper maintenance of all finance and accounting systems and functions.
• Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
• Coordinate financial and tax audit work and support for the Pet organization.
• Publish the monthly financial statements on a timely and accurate basis with a focus on reducing days to close.
• Lead and support continual process improvement for financial systems and processes.

Acquisitions, Systems, Controls and Other

• Work closely with the Pet team, Central’s CFO and CIO in the implementation of SAP and business intelligence tools.
• Lead and/or conduct financial diligence of potential acquisitions and support integration of acquired businesses into the organization.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and control policies, guidelines and procedures for activities such as budget administration, cash and credit management and accounting. Maintain internal control safeguards.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/EDUCATION:

The Pet CFO will be a seasoned and mature leader with at least 15 years of broad finance experience, including accounting, governance, gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership. S/he will have experience managing the finance function (accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting) within a diverse, division-based entity. Additional requirements are as follows:

• Desire 5 years’ experience in a high-performance consumer products manufacturing environment.
• BS/BA degree required in accounting, finance or other related discipline.
• CPA; MBA preferred.
• Exceptional financial and operational analysis skills with a proven ability to meet financial closing and other reporting deadlines.
• Highly effective interpersonal and influencing skills with evidence of having worked as a true business partner. An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral and written skills and a willingness to share information.
• History of succession planning and talent development within and outside of area of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to effectively operate across diverse audiences.
• Fluent in GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Demonstrated strengths in project management, problem solving, communications and change management.
• Highly effective user of ERP systems, in particular SAP, and business intelligence tools such as Cognos.
• Proven skills in both strategic and tactical planning with potential and desire for broader career growth.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Job will be based in Walnut Creek.
• Routine travel to each business unit location is expected, along with travel to company and customer meetings and industry events.
• Hybrid Office environment. Frequent use of PC, phone and office equipment. Occasional visits to manufacturing and distribution facilities.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Free Life and Disability Insurance.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution.
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to thousands of free online courses.
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications).
• Referral Program with cash bonus.
• Access to on-demand pay.
• Paid parental leave.

POSITION INFORMATION:
This position pays $300,000 to $325,000 per year depending on experience.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Cadet, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Four Paws, Kaytee, K&H, Nylabone and Pennington, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California and has 6,700 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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