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Private Equity-Backed Manufacturing Company | Chicagoland Area
A confidential search is underway for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join a growing, private equity-backed manufacturing business. This is a hands-on executive leadership opportunity for a financially and operationally minded leader who can partner with the CEO and leadership team to drive profitability, strengthen financial infrastructure, and support the next phase of growth.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in plant-level and manufacturing finance, combined with prior CFO or senior finance leadership experience in a private equity-backed environment. This individual will play a critical role in connecting financial performance with operational execution across a multi-site manufacturing and distribution platform.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Strategy & Leadership: Lead financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, long-range planning, and performance management in partnership with the CEO and executive leadership team.
- Manufacturing & Operational Finance: Leverage expertise in cost accounting, standard costing, inventory valuation, product costing, and variance analysis to improve margins, productivity, and operating efficiency.
- Executive & Investor Partnership: Prepare board reporting and financial presentations, communicate with private equity sponsors, and provide actionable insights to support strategic and investment decisions.
- Accounting & Financial Controls: Oversee financial reporting, monthly close, audit, tax, treasury, cash management, and internal controls while building scalable processes and systems.
- Multi-Site Performance: Partner with plant and operations leaders to establish KPIs, improve cost visibility, optimize working capital, and drive accountability across multiple facilities.
- Growth & Business Development: Support organic growth, new product introductions, capital allocation, and potential acquisitions, including financial evaluation and integration planning.
- Team Development: Build and develop a high-performing finance and accounting organization capable of supporting continued business growth.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- 12–15+ years of progressive finance experience, with significant exposure to manufacturing or industrial environments.
- Prior experience as a CFO, VP of Finance, or equivalent senior finance leader within a private equity-backed business.
- Demonstrated experience in plant controllership, manufacturing finance, or a similar operational finance role.
- Strong technical expertise in cost accounting, manufacturing economics, FP&A, inventory management, and ERP-driven financial reporting.
- Experience supporting multi-site operations and presenting financial results to boards, investors, or private equity sponsors.
- Track record of improving profitability, strengthening financial processes, and supporting organizational growth.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
Preferred Background & Leadership Style
Experience in Manufacturing, aftermarket, metal fabrication, performance components, or other high-mix manufacturing environments is highly desirable. Familiarity with new product introductions and scaling operations across multiple facilities is also beneficial.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on, commercially minded leader who can move seamlessly between strategic financial planning and detailed plant-level analysis. They will bring a strong sense of urgency, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to build credibility with executive leadership, finance teams, and operational personnel.
Location & Opportunity
The position is based in the greater Chicagoland area, with regular travel to additional U.S. operating locations as needed.
This is an opportunity to join an entrepreneurial, growth-oriented manufacturing business at an important stage of its evolution, helping professionalize financial operations while preserving the operational expertise, craftsmanship, and culture that differentiate the organization.
Interested in learning more? Please reach out via direct message for a confidential conversation. Qualified candidates are encouraged to connect discreetly.