Chief Financial Officer

THE COMPANY

Our client is a global vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper of fresh fruits and vegetables. The company is embarking on an ambitious journey to expand their berry farming operations in Mexico and Latin America. With a focus on acquiring and developing new farming operations, this Latin America Berry Farming Business Unit is poised for significant growth. This endeavor represents a unique opportunity for an experienced and dynamic CFO to play a pivotal role in driving financial strategy and operational excellence in a high-growth environment.

THE POSITION

We have been retained to search for a strategic and hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the leadership team for the Latin America Berry Farming Business Unit. The CFO will play a pivotal role in overseeing key operational areas, including finance, accounting, HR, and procurement, ensuring alignment with our client’s ambitious growth objectives and financial sustainability. This position requires a unique blend of financial acumen, operational expertise, and leadership capabilities to navigate the complexities of scaling their farming operations while ensuring their financial health and long-term success.

Main Responsibilities:

Accounting and Reporting

• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, including management reports and statutory filings.
• Oversee the development and implementation of robust accounting policies and procedures.
• Manage internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Strategic Finance.
• Lead the financial planning and budgeting process, providing strategic insights to support decision- making.
• Drive financial forecasting, modeling, and analysis to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Optimize cash flow management, working capital, and leverage to support growth objectives.
• Human Resources
• Collaborate with HR leadership to develop and implement recruitment strategies to meet business needs.
• Monitor turnover rates and implement retention strategies to ensure workforce stability.
• Provide guidance on HR policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Procurement
• Develop and implement procurement strategies to optimize costs while ensuring quality and reliability of supply.
• Establish vendor relationships and negotiate contracts to support operational needs.
• Monitor inventory levels and implement inventory management strategies to minimize stockouts and excess inventory.

Underwriting New Projects

• Evaluate financial viability of new projects and investment opportunities.
• Lead the due diligence and risk assessment process to support decision-making.
• Develop financial models and business cases to support investment decisions.

Administrative Oversight

• Provide oversight of administrative functions, including lease management, processes, and water rights management.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and environmental standards.
• Implement processes and controls to optimize administrative efficiency.
• Compliance
• Ensure compliance with certifications, legal requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to address regulatory issues and mitigate risks.
• Monitor changes in regulations and industry standards and implement necessary adjustments.
• Develop and Manage a Strong Team
• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Cultivate strong relationships and collaboration with other members of the executive leadership team to drive collective success.

THE CANDIDATE

• Solid professional experience in Finance and accounting: The ideal candidate should have a strong foundation in finance and accounting, with a proven track record of success in relevant roles. This includes experience in FP&A, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and US/MX GAAP.
• Experience in business control leadership roles: Candidates should have experience in leadership positions where they have been responsible for overseeing financial controls, risk management, and compliance within a business context. This includes establishing and implementing effective internal controls and procedures.
• Strong Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication, interpersonal, and people management skills: The CFO must possess excellent communication skills to effectively convey complex financial information to diverse audiences both in English and Spanish. Additionally, strong interpersonal skills are crucial for building and maintaining relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and external partners. Effective people management skills are necessary for leading and developing a high-performing finance team.
• Start-up mindset with a Hands-on approach: To be successful the candidate must have Resilience, Adaptability, Crisis Management, and Resourcefulness. The ideal candidate should be willing to roll up their sleeves and dive into the details when necessary. A hands-on approach is essential for understanding the intricacies of business operations and driving practical solutions to challenges.
• Ability to see the big picture: While attention to detail is important, the CFO must also possess the ability to think strategically and see the broader implications of financial decisions on the overall business objectives. This includes identifying opportunities for growth, mitigating risks, and optimizing financial performance.
• Process-driven and organized: Strong organizational skills are essential for managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders effectively. The CFO should be adept at developing and implementing efficient processes and systems to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
• Experience in Ag companies is a big plus: experience in the agricultural industry would be advantageous. Familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities in agribusiness can facilitate a smoother transition into the role and enable the CFO to provide more relevant insights and strategic guidance.
• Proactive and business/commercial-oriented: The ideal candidate should be proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing challenges proactively. They should demonstrate a strong business acumen and commercial mindset, with the ability to align financial strategies with broader business goals and market dynamics.
• Able to challenge and influence the organization: The CFO should be comfortable challenging the status quo and offering alternative perspectives when necessary. They should possess the credibility and influence to drive change and garner support for strategic initiatives across the organization.
• Team player: Collaboration and teamwork are essential for success in this role. The CFO should be able to work effectively with cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and external partners to achieve common goals and drive collective success.

TRAVEL

• Mainly within Mexico, Peru, and USA.
• Initial growth period: 50%
• Long Term: 25%

IDEAL LOCATION

• Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mexico.
• Leon, Guanajuato. Mexico.
• Other regions in Mexico may be considered.