VP of Finance & Accounting

Groundwork Coffee is seeking a VP of Accounting & Finance.

About Us :

Groundwork Coffee is a leader in the regenerative organic coffee and certified organic coffee movements. As a specialty organic coffee roaster with deep ties throughout the supply chain - from farmers to team members and customers, we pursue the highest quality specialty organic coffee available while considering all stakeholders – especially people and planet.

This role is ideal for an accounting and finance professional looking to be a part of a dynamic, growing omni-channel food and beverage business with a meaningful purpose. If you have aligned values, are hard a working, driven, and a self-starter this is the place and position for you.

The VP of Finance & Accounting will be responsible for all aspects of the company's financial management, as broadly defined. You will be a key member of the executive team, will operate with a high level of independence and will be accountable for managing the finance and accounting deliverables. You are responsible for providing strategic support to the CEO and Executive team. You will set the strategic direction for the company's financial operations to support the company's vision.

Key duties of a VP of Finance include :

• Strategic Financial Planning

Develop long-term financial strategies to ensure the company meets its growth objectives while maintaining profitability and adapting to industry trends like rising raw material costs or shifting consumer preferences.

Lead the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements and reports, analyzing key metrics to provide actionable insights for executive decision-making.

Manage cash flow to ensure the company has sufficient liquidity to meet short-term obligations, while developing long-term capital plans to support strategic growth initiatives, such as new product launches, facility expansions, or acquisitions.

Oversee the creation and management of annual budgets, ensuring all departments operate within allocated resources while identifying areas for cost optimization.

Monitor and optimize cost structures, focusing on improving margins in areas like inventory management, supply chain, and labor efficiency within the food & beverage sector.

Ensure adherence to accounting standards, tax regulations, and industry-specific laws, minimizing risk and maintaining the company's good standing with authorities.

Serve as the primary financial spokesperson, presenting financial performance and strategy to the Board of Directors, investors, and other stakeholders.

Identify, evaluate, and mitigate financial risks, including credit, operational, and market risks, to safeguard the company's financial health.

Develop revenue forecasts and analyze sales trends to provide actionable insights that drive top-line growth and adapt to changing market conditions.

Implement and maintain financial systems and tools, such as ERP systems, to enhance accuracy, reporting efficiency, and decision-making capabilities.

Work closely with operations and procurement teams to optimize inventory levels, manage cost of goods sold (COGS), and improve supply chain efficiency.

Lead and mentor the accounting and finance team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Collaborate with HR to align financial strategies with workforce planning, ensuring effective recruitment, retention, compensation, and benefits strategies that align with organizational goals.

Support mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships by conducting financial due diligence and evaluating the financial impact of potential deals.

Establish and enforce financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to maintain accuracy, security, and compliance in all financial operations.

Develop and implement tax planning strategies to minimize liabilities while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Evaluate and integrate the financial impact of sustainability and social responsibility initiatives into overall company strategy, ensuring alignment with industry and consumer trends.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

In-depth understanding of GAAP, IFRS, and industry-specific accounting standards.

Knowledge of financial modeling, variance analysis, trend analysis, and financial statement preparation.

Expertise in creating, managing, and analyzing budgets and forecasts to guide organizational decision-making.

Familiarity with cost structures, seasonality, inventory management, and trends unique to the food & beverage sector.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, including tax laws, labor laws, and industry-specific standards like FDA and USDA requirements.

Understanding of capital planning, cash flow management, investment strategies, and funding mechanisms.

Expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial, operational, and market risks.

Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems such as NetSuite , SAP , Oracle , QuickBooks , or other similar tools.

Knowledge of due diligence, valuation, and financial structuring of acquisitions or partnerships.

Understanding the financial implications of sustainability initiatives and ESG reporting.

Skills

Strong ability to inspire, lead, and develop high-performing finance and accounting teams.

Exceptional strategic planning and problem-solving skills to align financial objectives with organizational goals.

Advanced skills in analyzing complex data sets and making sound, evidence-based decisions.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present financial insights effectively to diverse stakeholders, including executives and boards.

Ability to work across functions (operations, marketing, HR, etc.) to achieve organizational objectives.

Skilled at identifying inefficiencies, developing process improvements, and implementing solutions.

Ability to plan, execute, and oversee large-scale financial initiatives, such as ERP implementations or acquisitions.

Advanced user of ERP systems like NetSuite , Oracle , or SAP , with experience in customization, integration, and reporting functions.

Strong negotiation skills to manage vendor contracts, credit terms, or capital funding agreements.

Expertise in creating detailed models for scenario planning, forecasting, and performance evaluation.

Abilities

Anticipate future challenges and opportunities in the food & beverage market and align financial strategies accordingly.

Ensure accuracy and precision in financial records, compliance, and reporting.

Balance tactical financial management with strategic leadership to guide overall organizational success.

Build and maintain trust with internal and external stakeholders, including investors, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

Ability to mediate disputes and find mutually beneficial solutions to financial and operational challenges.

Thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and adjust strategies to changing business needs.

Combine numerical analysis with business insights to drive informed decision-making.

Stay updated with financial trends, ERP updates, and best practices in leveraging new technologies.

Maintain composure and make sound decisions during high-stakes situations, such as economic downturns or crises.

Ability to lead ERP or financial software implementation projects, from planning and execution to staff training and system optimization.

Key Responsibilities

Design and implement financial plans to support the company's growth, profitability, and long-term goals, while staying aligned with market and industry dynamics.

Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements in compliance with GAAP, IFRS, and other regulatory frameworks.

Monitor and manage cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity for day-to-day operations and long-term investments.

Lead the annual budgeting process, ensure alignment with strategic goals, and monitor actual performance against budgets.

Identify cost-saving opportunities across operations, inventory, and supply chain to improve profit margins.

Conduct financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis to support data-driven decision-making and identify growth opportunities.

Implement, optimize, and maintain financial systems such as NetSuite, Oracle, or SAP to streamline operations and enhance reporting.

Oversee adherence to all federal, state, and local tax regulations, ensuring compliance while identifying tax optimization strategies.

Develop and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard assets, mitigate financial risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Present financial performance, forecasts, and strategies to the Board of Directors, investors, and executive leadership in a clear and actionable manner.

Conduct financial due diligence, valuations, and integration planning for mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures.

Oversee internal and external audits to ensure financial integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.

Create and execute strategies for securing capital funding and allocate resources for key business initiatives, such as expansions or new product development.

Track KPIs, including revenue growth, profitability, and cost efficiency, and implement strategies to address performance gaps.

Work closely with operations, sales, marketing, and HR to ensure financial goals align with broader organizational objectives.

Build, manage, and motivate a high-performing finance and accounting team while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Monitor changes in the food & beverage industry, including market trends, consumer preferences, and regulatory shifts, and adjust financial strategies accordingly.

Collaborate with operations teams to optimize inventory levels, manage costs of goods sold (COGS), and ensure supply chain efficiency.

Evaluate and incorporate the financial impact of sustainability initiatives, aligning financial goals with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

Identify inefficiencies in financial processes and systems, driving improvements that enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Experience Requirements

A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., VP, CFO, Controller).

Proven experience working in the food & beverage or related industries, with a strong understanding of cost structures, inventory management, and seasonal trends.

Hands-on experience in preparing financial statements, ensuring compliance with GAAP, IFRS, and managing audits (both internal and external).

Demonstrated success in implementing, managing, and optimizing financial systems such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle to improve data accuracy and operational efficiency.

Proven track record of managing cash flow, developing capital plans, and ensuring optimal resource allocation to meet strategic business goals.

Experience leading company-wide budgeting processes, conducting financial forecasting, and developing advanced financial models for decision-making.

Experience conducting financial due diligence, valuation, and integration in mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures.

Deep expertise in tax planning and compliance, including federal, state, and local tax laws applicable to the food & beverage industry.

Experience driving cost-reduction initiatives and improving operational efficiencies while maintaining or improving profit margins.

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required. An MBA or Master's in Finance is highly preferred.

Benefits

Work Hours and Work Location

Groundwork Coffee is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, age, sex, ancestry, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, present or past history of mental disability, genetic information or any other classification protected by state or federal law.