Chief Financial Officer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1980, the Company is the largest independent provider of specialty spray-drying and ingredient processing solutions in North America, principally serving the food and beverage, personal and home care, and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical end markets. Operating out of three state-of-the-art facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, the Company is trusted by its global, blue-chip customers to produce a variety of distinctive and complex flavors, fragrances, and ingredients for many of the world’s most recognizable brands. The Company leverages its proprietary dryer technology, unique delivery systems, deep process know-how, and culture of operational excellence to offer the market’s broadest range of technical capabilities and spray-drying capacity.

The Company seeks an experienced finance leader to partner with the CEO and senior leadership to execute and further develop the Company’s strategic growth plan. The successful candidate is hands-on with a proven track record of success in specialty manufacturing, experience in a leveraged business environment, and the ability to build out additional infrastructure to support future growth. This executive will have strong leadership and general business skills combined with technical finance and operational experience and will also be a strong collaborator, emphasizing clear communication and transparency.

Specifically, the CFO will:

Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and business partner to the management team, private equity Sponsor, and Board of Directors in the development and execution of the Company’s strategic plan as well as the implementation of the Company’s organic and inorganic growth initiatives.

Develop high-quality financial analysis (e.g., financial and operational KPIs, flash reports, dashboards, etc.) to direct and monitor day-to-day operating, commercial, and other key activities and provide insight to decision-makers across the Company. This will include promoting and coordinating the use of metrics throughout the organization that will build an understanding of the financial drivers of the business and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Ensure the integrity of the financial statements through managing accounting systems and controls. Build, enhance, and monitor controls and ensure a strong control environment.
• Play a key role in refining and monitoring the Company’s financial structure and balance sheet in partnership with the private equity Sponsor.

Lead the recruitment, training, and development of a strong finance team to ensure the organization has a high level of performance and productivity. Provide effective leadership, mentorship, and coaching that fosters an environment of problem-solving and continuous improvement as well as attracts and retains superior financial talent. Implement talent development and succession plans to support the Company’s current and future talent needs.

Partner with the CEO and Operating Board to establish annual financial goals, including capital and operating budgets, and monitor and analyze performance against these objectives. Proactively drive performance management by ensuring key metrics are measured and reported.

• Oversee the Company’s annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting process as well as annual audit process. Create financial models and analyze trends to accompany forecasts, budgets, and management reports.
• Develop monthly reports that provide insight into financial performance and recent trends as well as measure the Company’s performance against budget and prior periods. Be able to clearly communicate the performance with internal and external constituents, including the Board of Directors. Monitor cash flow and compliance with financial covenants.

Manage all aspects of finance, accounting, tax, and treasury in addition to other critical non-finance functions, as called upon. Develop and implement financial and tax strategies, and ensure appropriate resources and processes are in place to effectuate the Company’s strategies and tactical goals and objectives.

Anticipate and then engage proactively in ongoing operational and organizational initiatives to continually improve the business and position it for growth.

Manage relationships with a broad range of external constituents, including external auditors, members of the Board of Directors, lenders, and the private equity Sponsor.

In the event of an acquisition opportunity, serve as a key member of the acquisition team, including performing financial due diligence, evaluating the strategic fit of the target with the Company’s strategic goals, negotiating certain transaction agreements, and taking a lead role in the integration of the financial and other support functions.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

All candidates must have exceptional leadership, talent development, technical, and technology skills.

Education/Experience Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in the areas of accounting, finance, audit, risk, and tax.
• 10+ years working in businesses with a multi-site specialty manufacturing model that operates with a high degree of mix preferred.
• Past or Current Experience as a sitting CFO.
• An undergraduate degree in accounting or finance is required; an M.B.A. or master’s degree in finance and/or CPA is strongly preferred.

Role-Specific Requirements

• Proficient knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Standard cost accounting experience is strongly preferred.
• Cash management experience in a leveraged environment.
• Senior finance leadership experience with financial process design and implementation.
• Holistic CFO focus vs. accounting professional.
• Strong analytical bias and comfort in developing and managing to KPIs.
• High-quality financial reporting, including both quantitative and qualitative analyses.
• Sophisticated controllership and adoption of internal checks and balances.
• Direct working capital and capital expenditure management experience.
• Knowledge and familiarity working with third-party lenders, including principal and interest payment management, affirmative and negative covenant oversight, reporting requirements, etc.
• Technical skills/experiences including M&A, divestitures, consolidations, due diligence, etc.
• Experience with tax matters in conjunction with third-party tax preparers.

Leadership Requirements

• Prior private equity experience, along with a strong track record of working with a Board of Directors, lenders, and equity sponsors.
• Highly collaborative results-driver

-Strong sense of urgency about driving results.

-Ability to deploy a combination of strong execution and collaborative behavior to reach and beat target goals, directing the Company’s overall financial operations to maximize revenue, EBITDA, and cash flow.

• Leader and developer of people – Strong talent magnet.

-A track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing finance teams is critical.

• Strategic and commercial thinker

-Help drive business growth through executing new business opportunities and capital investment.

• Experience undertaking organic growth, geographic expansion, and/or development of new commercial opportunities is preferred.

Management Requirements

• A high degree of professionalism; ability to influence individuals up and down the organization without confrontation.
• Self-motivating and highly accountable nature.
• Bias towards a hands-on approach while still maintaining the ability to delegate and oversee multiple strategic priorities.
• Proactive change management and project management skills.
• Team-oriented, “lead by example” mentality; highly collaborative style. No siloed management style.
• Excels in a demanding environment, remaining flexible to changing schedules and demands.
• Proven organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• High moral compass with zero tolerance for illegal or unethical behavior, financial misrepresentations, workplace harassment, etc.

General Requirements

• Strong Excel skills complemented with competencies in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, financial accounting systems (the Company uses Sage), and ERP/MRP systems (the Company uses Batch Metrics), etc.
• Commitment to responsiveness and efficient communications.

LOCATION

This position is based in Middlesex, NJ. A local commute or relocation is required.

COMPENSATION

Compensation will be market-based and competitive; it will include base salary, annual performance-based incentive compensation, and equity plan participation.