Role Overview for CFO – Private Equity Portfolio Company (Consumer Products)
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a results-driven and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a high-growth, private equity-backed consumer products company. This is a pivotal executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serving as a key business partner to the executive team and the private equity sponsor. The successful candidate will be a hands-on yet strategic leader, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s financial operations, strategy, and infrastructure during a period of significant transformation and growth.
This is more than a traditional finance role; it is an opportunity to be a co-pilot to the CEO in shaping the company’s future. You will be instrumental in driving the value creation plan, optimizing financial performance, and preparing the company for a successful exit. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as a CFO within a private equity-backed environment, preferably within the consumer products, CPG, or retail sectors. You must be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, lean environment where you can roll up your sleeves to get the job done while simultaneously providing high-level strategic guidance to the board. You will be the financial steward of the organization, tasked with building a best-in-class finance function that can support scalable growth, both organically and through strategic acquisitions.
Key Responsibilities of CFO – Private Equity Portfolio Company (Consumer Products)
The CFO will have a broad range of responsibilities, encompassing strategic finance, operational accounting, and executive leadership. Key duties include:
Strategic Financial Leadership & Executive Partnership
- Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and private equity sponsor on all financial matters.
- Lead the development and execution of the company’s financial strategy to support the long-term value creation plan.
- Provide critical financial insights, analysis, and recommendations on company strategy, operational changes, and investment opportunities.
- Play a lead role in evaluating and executing M&A opportunities, including due diligence, financing, and post-acquisition integration.
- Develop and manage relationships with lenders, investors, auditors, and other external financial partners.
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Lead the annual budgeting and long-range strategic planning processes, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
- Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models to support forecasting, scenario planning, and decision-making.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and business metrics to drive performance and accountability across the organization.
- Provide insightful variance analysis of financial results against budget, forecast, and prior periods, presenting findings to the executive team and board.
Accounting, Controllership & Reporting
- Oversee all accounting operations including A/R, A/P, GL, Cost Accounting, Inventory Accounting, and Revenue Recognition.
- Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal controls and financial policies to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance.
- Manage the annual external audit process and oversee all tax planning and compliance activities.
Treasury & Cash Management
- Manage the company’s liquidity and capital structure, ensuring the business is adequately funded to execute its growth strategy.
- Develop and implement effective cash flow forecasting and working capital management strategies to optimize cash conversion cycle.
- Oversee debt facilities, ensuring covenant compliance and managing all lender reporting requirements.
- Manage banking relationships and evaluate and implement appropriate treasury products and services.
Operational & Systems Leadership
- Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales leaders to identify and execute cost-saving initiatives and margin enhancement opportunities.
- Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of financial systems, including ERP and BI tools, to drive efficiency and scalability.
- Provide financial oversight on inventory management, product costing, and supply chain logistics to improve profitability.
Team Leadership & Development
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and accounting team capable of supporting the company’s growth trajectory.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the finance function and across the organization.
- Structure the finance team for scalability and professional growth.
Requirements for the CFO – Private Equity Portfolio Company (Consumer Products)
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned finance executive with a blend of strategic acumen, operational expertise, and leadership presence. Specific qualifications include:
Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years serving as a CFO or #1 finance leader.
Mandatory
Significant experience serving as the CFO of a private equity-backed company is required. You must understand the cadence, reporting requirements, and value-creation mindset of a PE environment.
- Deep experience in the consumer products (CPG), manufacturing, or distribution industry is strongly preferred. Familiarity with multi-channel sales (retail, e-commerce, B2B) is a major plus.
- Proven track record of successfully leading a company through a significant growth phase, including scaling systems, processes, and teams.
- Direct experience with M&A, including target identification, due diligence, transaction execution, and post-merger integration. Experience preparing a company for and executing a successful exit (sale to strategic, sale to financial sponsor, or IPO) is highly desirable.
Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required.
- An MBA and/or CPA designation is highly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong, hands-on knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and tax.
- Demonstrated ability to be a strategic business partner to a CEO and work effectively with a Board of Directors and PE investors.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex financial information for a variety of audiences.
- A ‘roll-up-the-sleeves’ mentality; equally comfortable with high-level strategy and detailed, hands-on execution.
- Experience with modern ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics) and BI/analytics tools.
- Unquestionable integrity, ethics, and credibility.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and compelling compensation package designed to attract and retain a top-tier executive. This includes:
Competitive Base Salary
A strong base salary commensurate with experience and market standards.
Annual Performance Bonus
A significant, performance-based annual bonus tied to individual and company performance metrics.
Meaningful Equity Participation
A substantial equity stake in the company, providing the opportunity for significant wealth creation upon a successful exit.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
A full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.
Paid Time Off
A generous vacation, holiday, and paid sick leave policy.
Professional Development
Support for ongoing professional development and executive coaching.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is proud to lead this critical search. If you are a transformational finance leader with the requisite private equity and consumer products experience and are eager to make a significant impact on a growing organization, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications. For more information about our expertise in placing top-tier executives in similar roles, please visit our Private Equity Executive Search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application.
