Role: Chief Financial Officer

Company: CES Family of Companies

Location: Chicago, IL

Comp: $200-$250 base + bonus + equity

The Company: 

Since its foundation in 2000, CES Family of Companies has established itself as a leading supplier in the food industry, particularly in equipment, supplies, and service throughout the Upper Midwest. With a strong commitment to delivering best-in-class experiences for customers and communities, CES has continuously expanded its offerings and geographic footprint. In 2018, CES embarked on a significant growth journey by partnering with Cooper Management, LLC, leveraging the partnership to enhance its service offerings and operational capabilities. Over the last two years, 7 companies have been added to the CES family. This collaboration aligns with Cooper Management's mission as a family office dedicated to providing permanent capital for building businesses alongside top-tier management teams, emphasizing growth and community building across various industries for over forty years.

Together, the CES Family of Companies represents a powerful network of businesses united by a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, CES is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the food industry and beyond, building lasting relationships and driving sustainable growth.

Position Description:

CES is looking for a Chief Financial Officer to lead finance and accounting for their growing, Private Equity backed business. The business is currently $65M and looking to be $100-$150M in 3 years (via organic and acquisitive growth). The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, self-starter capable of being the strategic business partner to the CEO, Operations, and Sales teams. They must have a proven track record of financial leadership, financial operations, and process improvement.  Experience working for a private equity backed platform and/or experience with M&A is essential.  

Primary Responsibilities:

    • Analyze financials and assess M&A opportunities, develop portfolio analysis, and create future financial projections.

    • Evaluate the financial potential of new ventures and projects.

    • Ensure monthly financial records accurately reflect the company's performance.

    • Manage monthly financial reporting, comparing actuals to forecasts and previous periods.

    • Prepare for board meetings and communicate with shareholders.

    • Implement inventory checks, including cycle counts and monthly physical inventories.

    • Dive into company data to identify cost and revenue trends affecting the business.

    • Work with Sales, Operations, and Procurement to review financial impacts and trends.

    • Lead the finance and admin team in managing receivables, payables, and other financial tasks.

    • Manage the financial integration of new acquisitions into our ERP system, ensuring smooth transitions.

    • Provide financial analysis support across various departments for special projects.

    • Keep track of fixed assets and evaluate capital expenditure requests.

    • Serve as the main point of contact for lenders and oversee quarterly financial reporting.

    • Initially take on month-end closing duties, aiming to hire a controller within six months.

    • Maintain relationships with leadership of acquired companies post-purchase.

    • Participate in due diligence, collaborating with external partners for quality of earnings assessments.

    • Handle additional responsibilities as needed.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

    • Ability to simultaneously lead and manage multiple projects

    • Manage accounting and admin functions related to the business

    • Currently one direct report with a mandate to build a team

Requirements:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related area

    • High computer proficiency; specifically, with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, worksheet functionality and use of graphs and charts

    • Strong presentation skills

    • Experience and knowledge of an ERP system

    • Experience with Private Equity owned companies

    • Strong business acumen with continuous improvement mindset

    • Strong accounting and analytical skills needed to verify the integrity of data being used

    • Demonstrated working knowledge of Internal Controls and GAAP

    • Strong organizational skills; detail-oriented with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness

    • Able to work independently and in a team environment

    • Effectively communicate with all levels of the team; excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

    • Warehousing and distribution experience a plus

    • M&A exposure and experience conducting financial analysis, planning, and modeling

    • Experience engaging with private equity ownership preferred

    • Comfort with a dynamic, changing, high growth environment

Competencies:

    • Highly Detail-Oriented: Must have a passion for accuracy, doing things right and following policies

    • Problem-Solving: Able to identify problems and use logic, judgment, and data to evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions to achieve the desired results.

    • Highly Collaborative: Must support all areas of the business and work closely with all stakeholders and departments.

    • Communication: Able to use a broad range of communication styles, chooses the appropriate style, and effectively communicates to an audience.

    • Analysis and Presentation of Data: Able to synthesize financial data into meaningful information; translate analysis and results into actionable recommendations that support decision making.

    • Accounting and Management Reporting Knowledge: Ensures accuracy and processing efficiency; reviews information for accuracy, timeliness, and completeness

    • Strategic Thinking: Understands the connections and relationships between one’s work and how it impacts others; proactively considers possible future challenges and opportunities in making plans and decisions