About Us:
Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, USA, Afinitas is the global market leader for pipe and precast concrete equipment, forming systems and concrete accessories used to build the world’s critical transportation, water and utility infrastructure systems. Afinitas is known for the innovative technologies and services it provides through its trusted HawkeyePedershaab, BFS, New Hampton Metal Fab and other well-known brands, which customers have relied upon for decades. Afinitas is a part of BW Forsyth Partners, LLC, the investment arm of Barry-Wehmiller, a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.
Job Description:
Chief Financial Officer
Afinitas is seeking a Chief Financial Officer who will lead the Finance function as a proactive and strategic business partner to the Afinitas CEO, the broader management team, and the Sponsor, BW Forsyth Partners. The CFO will be involved on the front end of business initiatives and lead executives from multiple disciplines in developing and executing business strategy. The CFO will also be responsible for providing strategy and operational oversight of Afinitas’ IT function. The CFO will be a critical partner to the CEO in support of Afinitas’ organic growth and acquisition plans and be involved in all aspects of company strategy and execution.
Job Responsibilities:
- As a true business partner to the CEO and executive team, assess organizational performance against best practice benchmarks, the annual operating plan and the long-term strategy. Assist in analyzing the financial impact of major business decisions and operational issues affecting the organization. Tell the story behind the numbers; determine what is driving current business performance and what is likely to predict future performance.
- Develop the capabilities of leaders and broader finance, accounting and IT team members and foster a culture with a balance of people and performance. Build teams across functional areas to support growth and performance improvement.
- Establish credibility throughout the organization, with Forsyth Partners, Barry-Wehmiller leaders and company officers as an effective leader/developer of solutions to business challenges.
- Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial, business, and operational visibility to the CEO and the Board and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
- Engage the Board and investors around issues, trends, and changes to the operating model and operational delivery and drive action plans and results.
- Develop the budget and pull together the annual EVA plans throughout the platforms to identify and lead global investment decisions and performance improvement plans. Develop and implement the Capital Structure and related financing requirements.
- Oversee short and long-term financial planning in alignment with the strategic plan, especially as the organization considers potential acquisitions or other significant investments.
- Deliver process efficiency, consistency, and integration across the organization enabling the business to act as one cohesive and integrated company.
- Accountability for IT with primary responsibilities including Enterprise Digital Strategy and Information Technology Strategy; Facilitating a multi-year roadmap that supports strategies around demand activation, strategy and financial planning, ordering and fulfillment, S&OP, digitally enabled workforce, and advanced analytics.
- Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate regulatory requirements. Establish and maintain internal control safeguards and coordinate all audit activities.
- Manage cash flow and forecasting. Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs. Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
- Oversee budgeting and the implementation of budgets so as to monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally as appropriate.
- Develop and foster strong relationships with investors, banks, vendors, and other external constituents.
- Work with business operators and commercial teams on contract structuring, pricing sophistication, customer service and new business opportunities.
- Develop a strong knowledge of market, customer, and product profitability analysis to drive optimal price quoting and contract negotiation.
- Travel on a frequent basis to meet the needs of internal customers, external customers and team members throughout the world.
Required Experience:
- Minimum of BS/BA (or equivalent) in Accounting or Finance; MBA and/or CPA preferred.
- Proven experience as an energetic, forward-thinking and creative CFO with high ethical standards and a strong desire to work in a dynamic environment with a high-performing team.
- Experience as a CFO or in a senior financial leadership role within the manufacturing sector. In-depth knowledge of manufacturing financial regulations, cost accounting, and industry-specific financial management best practices. Deep understanding of capital-intensive business models and related ROI frameworks.
- A strategic visionary with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment as well as a strong operational focus to drive the business through both organic and inorganic growth.
- Proven success in building a high-performing finance function and team that is fiscally responsible while also driving the market value of the firm.
- An effective and proactive communicator at all levels in the organization.
- A collaborative, transparent and flexible style, with a strong partnership mentality.
- Strong experience with mergers and acquisitions, and the successful integration of those acquisitions.
- Experience operating in a complex, global manufacturing environment, and ideally in Private-Equity.
- Experience operating in a levered environment with debt compliance and reporting obligations.
Competencies:
- Leadership: Candidate will have the skills and ability to quickly gain credibility and respect with both internal and external audiences. The successful candidate will have a keen focus and skill at developing talent and will lead by example, including the ability to delegate and motivate a team, while maintaining clear accountability for delivering commitments.
- Strategic Acumen: The successful candidate will have proven success in integrating market dynamics, customer needs, competitive strengths and weaknesses, and internal capabilities into a sound strategic plan. Candidate will provide leadership in an increasingly complex global commercial, regulatory, and technical environment to ensure the attainment of both short and long-term revenue and profit goals.
- Finance Experience, Intellect, and Business Judgment: A combination of functional financial experience including planning and analysis at a corporate level, as well as more traditional corporate finance including experience with financial systems and tools at an operating level is required. This individual will have financial modelling experience and demonstrate well-reasoned insights on complex finance and accounting issues; candidate will exhibit the intellectual horsepower, analytical skills, and sound business judgment to make decisions in the best interest of the company.
- Entrepreneurial Drive: Must possess an entrepreneurial spirit and proactive ownership mentality where candidate feels empowered to make decisions that have a meaningful impact on the future growth of the organization. Effectively deals with complex and uncertain situations where many alternatives are possible, and no single correct response exists.
- Detail Orientation: While it will be critical for the Chief Financial Officer to be a strategic thought partner to the CEO, it is also imperative that candidate is able to “roll up the sleeves” when necessary and do a deep dive into accounting, reporting or other financial issues.
- Building and Managing Relationships: S/he will have comfort and experience interacting with peers, subordinates, and operational leadership to deliver cross-functional business results.
- Communication: The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with good listening skills and the ability to understand and distil complex financial matters; this executive should demonstrate the ability to communicate with passion, energy and excitement for the company and the growth ahead.
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