Head of Finance & Operations Position Profile
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Our client is a commercial contract and hospitality furniture manufacturer based in California. They are a well-respected company with curated furniture collections and custom design services of high-end furniture.
Our client has grown into one of the most sought-after and reputable manufacturers of commercial furniture in the United States. A prestigious portfolio of national clients and projects reflects long-standing relationships within the architectural and interior design community — relationships built on a history of trust and reliability. The extensive customer base includes marquee companies such as Starbucks, Google, Apple, Capital One, Target Stores, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft, casinos, and stadium/arenas across the United States.
The company enjoys a strong balance sheet and fabricates its products in the United States in its own plants. Current challenges are restoring high growth post-COVID, strategizing on maximizing future organizational value, succession planning, margin analysis, completing training on the ERP system, and recapitalizing the company via M&A.
OPPORTUNITY
This is a chance for you to showcase what you can do! Bring value to the business. Find answers for department heads and factory workers. Support the President with valuable pricing data on large sales contracts. Support the CEO in maximizing the value of the business. Work with the team on strategies for significant factory production increases. Find ways to increase margins, profitability, and valuation multiples. Through short- and long-term compensation incentive programs, create value for yourself as well as the team and ownership.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Comhar Partners is working closely with the client to identify a highly skilled financial and operations leader to become the Head of Finance and Operations. The ideal candidate should possess small business finance and operations experience with a positive attitude and manage all Accounting, Finance, Reporting, IS, HR, and Treasury functions for this well-respected and growing contract design and manufacturing company. They are seeking someone with a balance of a servant’s heart, a shrewd business mind, and an appetite for operational efficiency. The Head of Finance and Operations will support the CEO/Owner as well as the President/Head of Sales, working as a team with the executive management committee to achieve new financial and operational goals.
- Support decision-making throughout the company
- Help guide the company’s growth and value creation
- Support the owners faithfully and loyally
- Comfortable interfacing with professionals and craftsmen
- Team leader as well as a member
- Demonstrated leadership ability
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The candidate will assist the CEO and executive management team by managing the day-to-day accounting, management reporting, financial planning and analysis, ERP systems, HR, and treasury. They will also guide operations and plant profit-margin performance.
- Leads and actively manages the company’s finance functions according to sound financial principles and government regulations.
- Manage all accounting functions; maintain proper accounting and inventory controls, policies, and procedures, including invoicing, cash collections, A/P, and expense management.
- Develops, prepares, and explains financial analyses of operations and financial performance including profit and loss, expenses, cash flow, balance sheet, and other routine reports and dashboards.
- Develop and continuously improve the processes, tools, and systems to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness while delivering high quality, timely and actionable information.
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing, including the development and maintenance of accurate cost standards (job and standard process).
- Collaborate and lead the accounting team; currently two other individuals and an ERP consultant. Allocate work, resolve issues, and build the team.
- Leverage and integrate ERP system for reporting and analysis. Eliminate manual downloads and drive financials through the system to optimize efficiency and accuracy.
- Manage company’s insurance needs, IT requirements, HR functions, and related expense budgets.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- 6+ years of professional experience, preferably with experience in and a passion for the manufacturing industry.
- Accounting functions; maintaining proper accounting and inventory controls, policies, and procedures, including invoicing, cash collections, A/P, and expense management.
- Operational management experience, knowledge of IT systems, HR functions, and staff development.
- Knowledge of and experience in supporting a made-to-order (MTO) manufacturer versus a made-to-stock (MTS) manufacturer. Direct or Project Costing, as well as Standard Costing, are preferred.
- Public accounting experience preferred
- CPA credentials preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, or Finance.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS
Results-Oriented
The Head of Finance and Operations must be performance-driven and able to provide measurable results in a proactive manner. The ability to navigate and help fuel year-over-year growth is critical to success. The successful candidate will be resourceful, action-oriented, and possess a proactive sense of urgency and the ability to overcome obstacles to produce results in a timely fashion. They will be comfortable working in a lean organization, rolling up their sleeves to get things done. Achieving these goals while working in a collaborative environment will require the political savvy to know when to push for action and when to step back to build consensus.
Communication
This individual should possess very strong communication and persuasion skills, truly partnering with the leadership team. They should be comfortable, articulate, and dynamic in front of both external and internal audiences including members, senior leadership, and clients. The Head of Finance and Operations will be direct, candid, and possess strong conflict resolution skills. This will include effective negotiation skills with all constituents within and outside the company.
Perspective
This individual will provide a worldly perspective of macro and industry influences to assist in guiding the company in new directions. They will provide perspective coming in from outside the organization to aid in the collective leadership team’s understanding and acceptance of trends, insights, changing business perspectives, and management strategies. This keen perspective should be presented with patience and guidance rather than authoritative.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Title: Managing Director Email: pherrerias@comharpartners.com Direct: (415) 483-4116 Mobile: (415) 302-5300
Title: Director
Email: gasad@comharpartners.com
Direct: (212) 202-0251
Mobile: (718) 210-5547
