Chief Financial Officer; CFO

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Privately Held Manufacturing Company

Location: West Metro Minneapolis | Primarily Onsite with Some Flexibility

Compensation: $190,000 – $236,000 base + ~35% target bonus + potential equity

This is a confidential search for a Chief Financial Officer to join a long-established, privately held manufacturing company as part of a planned executive transition. The current CFO will be retiring in 2026, and the organization is intentionally hiring well in advance to ensure a smooth and thoughtful handoff.

The role offers true enterprise-level responsibility while maintaining close proximity to the business. The company operates in a stable, profitable environment with multiple legal entities, experienced leadership, and a well-tenured accounting team already in place.

The CFO will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and act as the primary financial partner to the President. Responsibilities span financial strategy, accounting oversight, operational finance, and long-term planning across a multi-entity manufacturing environment.

While this is an executive leadership role, the organization values CFOs who are comfortable staying connected to the details and supporting the team hands-on when needed.

• Lead all accounting and finance functions across multiple entities, including financial reporting, cost accounting, inventory, and cash management
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure accurate, timely financial statements
• Partner with executive leadership on budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and financial decision-making
• Drive working capital optimization across inventory, receivables, and payables
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support operational efficiency and profitability improvement
• Maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements
• Lead and develop a stable, experienced accounting and finance team, including direct oversight of a Controller
• Review and provide financial perspective on contracts, leases, and other legal agreements
• Support acquisition evaluation and due diligence activities when applicable
• Serve as the primary financial liaison with external partners including auditors, lenders, tax advisors, and legal counsel

The CFO will oversee an established accounting and finance team of approximately six professionals, including a Controller, Assistant Controller, and supporting accounting staff. The team is well-functioning with solid tenure and provides a strong foundation for the incoming leader.

• Senior-level finance leadership experience (CFO or equivalent) within a manufacturing environment
• At least 8+ years of accounting and financial leadership in manufacturing; equipment or industrial manufacturing experience is a plus
• Comfortable operating at both the strategic and hands-on levels in a mid-sized organization
• Strong background in cost accounting, inventory management, and multi-entity financial operations
• Demonstrated career stability; this organization values long-term leadership commitment
• Experience reviewing and interpreting contracts, leases, and legal agreements
• Collaborative, business-oriented leadership style with strong cross-functional partnership skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
• MBA, CPA, and/or CMA strongly preferred

• Planned executive transition with meaningful overlap and onboarding support
• Stable ownership and long-standing operating history
• Opportunity to be a trusted strategic partner within a tight-knit leadership team
• Executive scope without public-company bureaucracy
• Competitive compensation, bonus opportunity, and potential equity participation