Chief Financial Officer

The CFO will be responsible for building and leading the finance function, with a strong emphasis on accounting rigor, controls, and systems. This is a hands-on role suited for a finance leader who has successfully scaled middle-market industrial businesses and is comfortable operating in a build environment.

The CFO will partner closely with the CEO, operations leadership, and Sponsor to establish reliable financial reporting, improve decision-making, and support growth initiatives, including acquisitions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build and professionalize accounting, reporting, and control environments
• Lead ERP and financial systems selection and implementation
• Ensure timely, accurate monthly close and management reporting
• Develop cost accounting, inventory, and working capital discipline
• Support operational leaders with actionable financial insights
• Lead financial diligence and integration for acquisitions
• Serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and Sponsor
• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performance finance and accounting team

The Company is a private equity–backed specialty chemicals manufacturer serving industrial end markets where product performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance are critical. The business benefits from high switching costs, technical differentiation, and long-standing customer relationships.

Historically entrepreneurial in nature, the Company has achieved strong growth but now requires a step-change in financial infrastructure, reporting rigor, and controls to support its next phase of scale. This includes system implementation, process discipline, and the establishment of institutional-quality reporting and analytics.

The private equity Sponsor has a clear value-creation plan centered on operational improvement, margin expansion, and selective M&A. The CFO will play a foundational role in building the financial backbone of the business and positioning it for sustained growth and an eventual exit.

At a Glance

• Specialty chemicals manufacturer with defensible products and end-market demand
• Significant opportunity to build financial systems and controls from the ground up
• Backed by a PE sponsor experienced in industrial and chemicals investments

Compelling Investment Highlights

• Strong underlying growth with limited financial infrastructure today
• Opportunity to implement best-in-class accounting, reporting, and ERP systems
• Clear roadmap for professionalization and scale

Value Creation Levers

• Build institutional-quality financial reporting and controls
• Improve cost accounting, inventory management, and margin visibility
• Support operational excellence and M&A integration

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
• CPA strongly preferred
• Big Four public accounting background required
• Experience transitioning from public accounting into middle-market industry
• 12+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience

Role-Specific Requirements

• Deep technical accounting and reporting expertise
• Proven experience building finance functions in under-systemized environments
• Strong ERP implementation and process improvement experience
• Experience in industrials, manufacturing, or specialty chemicals preferred
• Prior private equity portfolio company experience highly desirable

Leadership Profile

• Hands-on builder comfortable in imperfect environments
• High standards for accuracy, discipline, and accountability
• Collaborative partner to operations, CEO, and Sponsor
• Proven ability to attract and develop strong finance talent

• Travel up to 30%
• Relocation assistance available and encouraged if needed

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, including:

• Base salary
• Annual cash bonus tied to performance
• Meaningful equity participation aligned with long-term value creation