Financial Planning

The Company
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, CraneWorks is a dealer of new and used truck mounted and related mobile crane equipment, manufacturer-backed and trained service, extensive parts inventories for all makes, and a modern bare rental fleet with offices in Denver, CO / Ft. Worth, TX / Hampton, NJ / Houston, TX / Kansas City, KS / Orlando, FL / San Diego, CA / Williston, ND, / and St. Louis, MO. The company serves diverse industries including residential and commercial construction, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, utilities, forestry, transportation services, and renewable energy sectors. CraneWorks is currently led by Mike Evans, who is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the business. Co-founder David Collis and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Keith Ayers remain actively engaged in the business.
 
Within the mobile crane industry, CraneWorks serves as an intermediary between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), end customers, and crane rental companies. Mobile crane dealers provide customers with tailored, customized solutions through comprehensive OEM offerings and differentiate themselves via parts and service capabilities. Aside from quality parts and service, CraneWorks further differentiates itself from the market through an in‐house production department that can customize equipment to a customer's specific need. The company enjoys tenured relationships with key OEM brands such as Cormach, Fassi, IMT, Manitex, National, Palfinger, Tadano, and Versalift among others. The business model is reinforced by single OEM dealers having a limited product offering (i.e., focus on specific types of cranes) and support across multiple types of equipment, further enhancing the appeal of multi‐line OEM dealers. On that note, opportunities exist to establish new OEM relationships to further diversify product and end market mix.
 
By fleet size, CraneWorks is the 6th largest dealer in the U.S. in a highly fragmented market. No dealer has the same OEM brand depth across overlapping regions. Across CraneWorks' network, the Company is consistently a top 4 dealer in each of its markets. Generating revenues approaching $250 million, the company has established a national footprint including 9 full service and sales locations coast to coast. Significant organic and M&A growth opportunities remain as the company serves markets that are expected to grow steadily – namely transmission and distribution, utility, infrastructure, residential, as well as tree and forest. Additionally, management has proven ability to take market share (via organic, greenfield, and inorganic growth), grow its bare rental segment, recruit technician talent, and outcompete its competitors, notably in parts and service in new geographies. CraneWorks is ideally suited to take advantage of these opportunities and is positioning itself as a market leader across the country.

In October 2023, Equity Group Investments (EGI) partnered with CraneWorks. Core to EGI's investment philosophy is developing collaborative partnerships with driven management teams to maximize value. Given EGI's successful track record of helping middle-market companies drive value and investment in other heavy equipment dealerships, the partnership with EGI represents a significant opportunity for the future of CraneWorks and its stakeholders. Building and scaling businesses is core to EGI's track-record. EGI aims to enhance value at its portfolio companies through strategic and operational guidance, follow-on capital, and strong corporate governance. This is a unique opportunity to lead a well-positioned company with a committed team focused on aggressive growth and value creation. For more information, please visit the Company website at
 
Equity Group Investments (EGI)
Equity Group Investments (EGI) is a private investment firm founded more than 50 years ago by Sam Zell. Backed by private capital, EGI is flexible and opportunistic with a primary focus on direct private investment opportunities but has the in-house expertise to invest across the capital structure. As long-term investors, EGI actively partners with portfolio company executives to execute strategic planning, implement operational efficiencies, and scale businesses. EGI has grown companies across numerous industries into multi-billion-dollar businesses throughout economic cycles. EGI's current portfolio includes investments in healthcare, transportation and logistics, infrastructure, energy, consumer, industrial, manufacturing, agri-business, and real estate. For more information, visit
 
The Opportunity
The Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Corporate Development Analyst/Associate will be a critical member of the CraneWorks finance and accounting team. They will also serve as a primary liaison between the company and the Board of Directors/ownership.
 
The selected individual will be tasked with creating and leading the organization's FP&A capabilities and supporting M&A activity. This is a high visibility role in a dynamic, growth-oriented, private equity backed organization offering significant opportunities for career development.  The FP&A and Corporate Development Analyst/Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions of the company. This position is integral to providing insights that guide strategic decision-making at senior levels of the company and with the company's financial sponsor. The FP&A and Corporate Development Analyst/Associate will be responsible for preparing monthly operating reports, forecasting business segments, and conducting financial modeling for budgeting, forecasting, and potential acquisitions.
 
The FP&A and Corporate Development Analyst/Associate will also have wide latitude to employ best practices regarding their areas of influence and will work closely with all departments of the company.
 
Location
Houston, TX
 
Reports to:
Chief Financial Officer
 
Responsibilities

• Prepare, modify, and oversee the reporting framework to ensure optimal business decisions are made:
  • Prepare monthly operating reports and weekly dashboards to review with management and shareholders.
  • Review existing reporting with executives and modify reporting to reflect how management evaluates Company performance.
  • Where needed, design reporting to provide information to manage the business more effectively.
  • Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
• Ensure the execution of month-end and quarter-end financial variance analysis:
  • Analyze financial results, including trends, budget, forecast and related variances.
  • Review trends and drivers of financial performance to identify opportunities for improvement of business areas.
  • Prepare for and participate in board meeting presentations.
  • Ensure all relevant reporting deadlines are met.
• Support merger and acquisitions (M&A) activity
  • Support the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and financial sponsor in evaluating M&A targets
  • Support the Chief Financial Officer and financial sponsor with merger and acquisition modeling, analysis, and due diligence on potential targets.
  • Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform decision-making on potential acquisitions.
  • Prepare presentations and reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the board of directors and investors.
  • Assist in the development and execution of integration plans to ensure the successful combination of acquired companies.
• Manage the investment and capital expenditure analysis:
  • Assist the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer in evaluating new markets.
  • Support operations in producing ROI to business case modeling.
  • Understand and develop the capital expenditure strategy.
• Assist in the budgeting and forecasting process:
  • Prepare annual budgets and quarterly reforecasts with input from senior executives.
  • Maintain ownership of the P&L, Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows financial model.
  • Prepare and manage a detailed inventory forecast in conjunction with the VP of Sales and Inventory Manager
• Ad-Hoc Analysis and Reporting:
  • Provide ad-hoc analysis and reporting as required by senior management or the financial sponsor.
  • Assist in preparing presentations for the Board of Directors and other stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Work closely with seamlessly with Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, VP-level positions, finance, operations, and the financial sponsor to gather data, ensure alignment, and support company-wide financial initiatives.
  • Participate in meetings with senior management to provide financial insights and recommendations.

 
Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and provide insights that drive decision-making.
• Interpersonal Skills: Comfortable collaborating with cross-functional teams and engaging with senior management.
• Initiative: Proactive and able to work independently, taking ownership of projects and driving them to completion.
• Adaptability: Capable of working in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple priorities, and adapting to changing business needs.
• Commitment to Development and Improvement: Continued focus on process improvements across the organization. Individual commitment to professional development and can be receptive to feedback.

 
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• 2-4 years of experience in financial analysis; prior FP&A, investment banking, private equity, corporate development or management consulting experience required.
• Strong financial modeling skills, with experience in building and maintaining complex financial models.
• Proficient in financial analysis, including variance analysis, trend analysis, and scenario planning.
• Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to manipulate large datasets and perform sophisticated calculations.
• Experience with financial reporting tools and ERP systems.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail.
• Experience in the heavy equipment dealership or rental industry extremely helpful, but not required.
• Experience in a private equity backed company or similar environment preferred.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to multi-task and manage numerous simultaneous projects.
• History of and work style that rolls-up sleeves and works hands on with team.
• Ability to forecast issues to understand potential impact both internally and externally.
• Ability to work well in high pressure situations to meet deadlines.
• A strong, hands-on knowledge of financial reporting and general accounting work.

 
Education and Certifications
BS in Accounting, Economics, Finance or Business Administration preferred.
 
Compensation
We seek an individual of exceptional ability and will offer a competitive compensation package commensurate with candidate's individual skills and experience.

---