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# CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – Bentonville, AR



Role Overview for CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – Bentonville, AR
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a results-driven and strategically-minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a high-growth, private equity-backed retail company headquartered in the vibrant business hub of Bentonville, Arkansas. This is a pivotal executive leadership role, serving as a key business partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors and the private equity sponsor. The successful candidate will be instrumental in steering the company through its next phase of significant growth, value creation, and eventual successful exit.
As the CFO, you will assume full responsibility for the company’s entire financial apparatus. This extends beyond traditional accounting and control functions; you will be a forward-looking leader, shaping corporate strategy, driving operational efficiencies, and providing the critical financial insights needed to make informed, data-driven decisions. You will be expected to be both a strategic thinker and a hands-on operator, capable of diving deep into the details while maintaining a clear vision of the company’s long-term objectives.
The role demands a dynamic leader who can thrive in the fast-paced, demanding, and highly rewarding environment of a private equity portfolio company. You will be tasked with building a world-class finance organization, implementing scalable systems and processes, and managing key relationships with investors, lenders, and other external stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to make a substantial impact on a rapidly growing enterprise and share in the value you help create through a significant equity stake.
Located in Bentonville, the epicenter of the global retail industry, you will be immersed in a community of innovation and commercial excellence. This position offers the chance to lead a talented team, refine a robust financial infrastructure, and play a direct role in the strategic direction and financial success of a prominent player in the retail sector. We are seeking an individual with a proven track record of success in a PE-backed environment, possessing the financial acumen, leadership presence, and relentless drive required to achieve ambitious growth targets.
Key Responsibilities of CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – Bentonville, AR
The CFO will direct and oversee all financial and accounting functions of the organization. This includes developing and executing a financial strategy that aligns with the company’s aggressive growth plans and the PE sponsor’s investment thesis. Key responsibilities are broad and will include:
Strategic Leadership & Executive Partnership

Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team, providing financial leadership, counsel, and data-backed insights on all major business decisions.
Lead the development of the company’s long-range financial plans, annual budgets, and rolling forecasts in alignment with strategic goals.
Play a key role in corporate development, including evaluating and executing M&A opportunities, performing due diligence, and managing post-acquisition integration.
Develop and manage relationships with the private equity sponsor, board of directors, lenders, and external auditors.
Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports, board materials, and investor updates that clearly communicate the company’s performance, risks, and opportunities.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Build and lead a best-in-class FP&A function that provides insightful analysis of business trends, performance drivers, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Oversee the creation of sophisticated financial models to support strategic planning, capital allocation decisions, and valuation analyses.
Analyze complex financial information and reports to provide accurate and timely financial recommendations to management for decision-making purposes.
Develop and monitor retail-specific metrics related to sales, margin, inventory turns, store profitability, and customer acquisition cost.

Accounting, Control, and Reporting

Oversee all accounting operations including Billing, 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).
Strengthen and maintain a robust internal control environment to safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.
Manage the annual external audit process and serve as the primary point of contact for the audit firm.
Oversee all tax planning and compliance activities, coordinating with external tax advisors to optimize the company’s tax position.

Treasury & Capital Management

Manage the company’s liquidity and cash flow, implementing effective cash forecasting and working capital management strategies.
Oversee the company’s capital structure, manage debt facilities, ensure covenant compliance, and maintain strong relationships with banking partners.
Develop and execute a disciplined capital allocation strategy to fund growth initiatives and maximize shareholder returns.

Team Leadership & Development

Recruit, train, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance and accounting team.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development within the department.
Structure the finance organization to effectively scale with the company’s growth.

Requirements for the CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – Bentonville, AR
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned finance executive with a history of success in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments. A blend of strategic capabilities, operational excellence, and strong leadership skills is essential.
Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field is required.
A minimum of 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years serving as a CFO, VP of Finance, or Corporate Controller.

Crucial
Demonstrable experience serving as the #1 or #2 finance leader within a private equity-backed company is a non-negotiable requirement.
Significant experience within the retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or a related multi-site, inventory-intensive industry.
Proven track record of successfully managing the financial operations of a company through a period of rapid growth and transformation.
Deep expertise in FP&A, financial modeling, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Strong command of GAAP, technical accounting, and internal controls.
Experience managing banking relationships, debt covenants, and treasury functions.
Demonstrated experience in leading M&A activities, from due diligence to successful integration.

Preferred Qualifications

MBA from a top-tier business school and/or CPA designation is highly preferred.
Experience leading or significantly contributing to a successful exit process (sale to strategic, sale to financial, or IPO).
Experience with modern ERP and BI system selection and implementation.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial concepts to a wide range of audiences, including the board and investors.
A ‘player-coach’ mentality; must be willing to be hands-on and dig into the details while also leading and mentoring a team.
High level of integrity, strong work ethic, and a results-oriented mindset.

Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and compelling compensation package designed to attract and retain a top-tier executive. The package includes:
Competitive Base Salary
A strong and competitive base salary commensurate with experience and the demands of the role.
Significant Annual Bonus
A lucrative performance-based annual bonus tied to the achievement of key individual and company-wide objectives.
Meaningful Equity Participation
A substantial equity grant (Long-Term Incentive Plan – LTIP) providing the opportunity for a significant wealth creation event upon a successful exit. This aligns the CFO’s success directly with the success of the company and its investors.
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 generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Paid Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including company holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package will be provided for the successful candidate and their family to move to the Bentonville, AR area.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for this critical search. If you are a driven financial leader with the requisite private equity and retail experience and are ready to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role. For more information on our executive search capabilities in this sector, please visit the JRG Partners’ Private Equity Practice page.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.