VP of Finance Healthy Fruit Division

Company: Food, Placentia, CA
Location: Placentia
Posted on: March 16, 2019

Job Description:

Company is a leading global company focused on organic, non-genetically modified ("non-GMO") and specialty foods. Company specializes in the sourcing, processing and packaging of organic and non-GMO food products, integrated from seed through packaged products; with a focus on strategic vertically integrated business models. With about 1,800 global employees, Company's organic and non-GMO food operations revolve around value-added grain, seed, fruit and vegetable-based product offerings (fresh and IQF) supported by a global sourcing and supply infrastructure. Our Mission: At Company, we empower our employees to enrich lives by developing healthy and organic food products, driving sustainable well-being. Our Vision: To be a sustainable organization that is a global leader in natural and organic food products driven by a spirit of continuous improvement, innovation and category expertise that enables the well-being of our employees, customers, consumers and other stakeholders. Healthy Fruit Division: Company’s Healthy Fruit division manufactures individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruit for retail (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, blends and other berries and fruit), IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice (e.g., purées, fruit cups and smoothies), and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. We believe we are the leading North American provider of private label non-GMO and organic IQF fruit. Healthy Fruit operates six strategically located manufacturing facilities, with annual sales of approx. $320 million. Summary: The VP Finance role for the Healthy Fruit division provides critical leadership representing the company both internally and externally. The role is responsible for all aspects of the finance function including financial reporting and analysis (period end and business driven daily/weekly), critical business decision support, business planning (budgeting and forecasting), close, reporting, controls, and other important business specific matters such as transfer pricing and projects to enhance information accuracy and timeliness. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: •Primary business partner to the General Manager of the Healthy Fruit division. •Financial backbone that supports the commercial aspects of the business, product margin analysis, pricing decisions, make or buy decisions, product/asset rationalization, working capital management, capital projects, contractual arrangements, negotiations, etc. •Direct responsibility for all facets of accounting and financial reporting, collaborating with the Corporate Controllership function to ensure oTimely and accurate month-end and quarter end close processes oEffective and efficient quarterly and year end external audits oPolicies are established and adhered to in conjunction with corporate standards oMaintenance of SOX compliance oCompliance with tax matters in Mexico and state of California •Responsible for monthly internal financial reporting including preparation of reports for Senior Management and the Board of Directors. •Lead the budgeting and planning function for the fruit division, including consolidated roll up on P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, capital spending, etc. •Oversee the timely and accurate delivery of financial reports, review for appropriateness and accuracy, with a focus on the continuous improvement of quality of submissions and a shortened close process. •Oversee preparation of financial analysis, and variance reporting (versus prior year and budget) for the fruit division, including meeting with senior management to discuss and review results. •Collaborate with senior management and I.T. to continuously drive improvements in divisional financial reporting processes. •Assist with due diligence or other special projects and corporate functions as required. •Work with and collaborate with Company teams on cross-functional projects. •Analyzes, consolidates, and directs all cost accounting procedures together with other statistical and routine reports •Analyzes operational issues impacting financial performance as well as providing recommendations for improvement (if needed). •Supports the General Manager of the fruit division with various business needs. •Oversee preparation and review of monthly operating financial statements compared to forecasts and budget. •Other duties or projects may be assigned. Key First 12-month Focus Areas •A comprehensive review of organization, processes, and tools used to derive all financial information needed to support business decision making. Will require strong collaboration with division and executive leadership, including I.T., supply chain, and operations to deliver more streamlined and standardized processes to develop and deliver periodic reports that provide information not just data. •A comprehensive review of the budgeting and forecasting cycle designed to re-set expectations on process and deliverables, making the consolidation of budgets/forecasts from an income, balance sheet and cash flow perspective, along with analysis, more streamlined. Supervisory Responsibilities: Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of our healthy fruit division. This person will oversee all finance functions and personnel located in the Placentia, CA office, and production facilities located in Santa Maria, CA, Oxnard, CA, South Gate, CA, Edwardsville, KS and Jacona, MX. This person will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employee; addressing complaints and resolving problems, etc. Qualifications 15+ years of public company successful finance & accounting leadership with knowledge and experience in the manufacturing sector. In addition to combining business, commercial acumen and finance, the ideal candidate will be analytical and thorough – delving into details of the business, ensuring that financial insights are not only shared but leveraged with their business counterparts. A demonstrable ability and capacity for leading change will be critical as will the sophistication to build strong and meaningful professional relationships with the organization’s executives. Education: Bachelor’s degree plus a CPA designation is preferred. Experience: •The VP of Finance will have 10+ years’ progressive accounting experience with a minimum 5 years in a management role or equivalent or equivalent combination of education and experience. Manufacturing environment (standard cost) experience required, consumer products experience preferred. Knowledge and Skills: •To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of and proficiency with Accounting software; Database software such as DAX and/or Oracle; Inventory software; Project Management software; Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word, Power Point). •Direct experience with Microsoft Dynamics (DAX) and a background in designing financial models using MS excel will be of particular benefit to candidates. •Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. •Demonstrates resilience after business set-backs, and demonstrates persistence in tough circumstances •Demonstrated leadership strength and process improvement skills. •Knowledge of GAAP accounting, financial statements, budgeting and forecasting, tax planning, auditing, and internal controls. •Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and the ability to work effectively with all levels of an organization. In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following: Strategic Ability – Exceptional strategic thinker with superb judgment and business acumen. To succeed, this executive must be much more than a technical functional expert, they must have demonstrable strength in synthesizing and converting financial data into meaningful and actionable management information. S/he must bring to the table a broader business orientation and a clear capacity to contribute at a strategic decision-making level, including understanding the performance drivers financially and at an operating level within the manufacturing industry. Leading Teams – A track record of recruiting, developing and motivating high performers, resulting in strong and autonomous teams with multiple perspectives and talents. Ability to delegate significant responsibilities, and hold team members accountable. Establish and provide leadership that encourages independence in the team while maintaining a grasp on critical issues and progress on initiatives. Leading teams through large scale change and improving effectiveness while reducing costs is a core requirement. Building Relationships and Using Influence – A proven capacity to work successfully with peers in the pursuit of common enterprise-wide goals is essential. Candidates will possess strength in developing and sustaining strong, productive relationships at all levels in the organization and outside of the company. This includes producing results through influencing and persuasion, as opposed to direct line authority. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to adjust his/her communications and influencing style to suit different audiences. This executive must be experienced and effective as a listener, demonstrating outstanding emotional intelligence and be a confident, effective and credible communicator with a wide spectrum of audiences. Personal Attributes – Being articulate, straightforward, and succinct is critical. As a strong independent financial thinker, you are resilient and maintain composure in the face of significant challenge. Persuasive, clear and effective presentation skills are essential. Able to build, maintain and leverage a strong network of relationships within and outside the company. You are able to quickly enable trust in those around you. Skillful at negotiating tough situations and making your voice heard, you influence others to act on information or recommendations based on compelling logic, or common best interests in order to build effective coalitions to move the agenda forward. Adjusting your negotiating style as required, you are direct and diplomatic and win concessions without damaging relationships. Travel Requirements: US and International Travel. Travel destinations include but are not limited to Guadalajara (MX), multiple facilities in California, Edwardsville (KS), Minneapolis (MN), Toronto (ON). Work Environment/Physical Demands: Majority of work is performed in an office environment.

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