Chief Financial Officer

Description

Simon Pearce Summary:
Founded in 1971, Simon Pearce has built a reputation for exceptional handblown glass and handmade pottery, becoming a symbol of American craftsmanship. Simon Pearce is a lifestyle brand synonymous with quality craftsmanship and timeless design. For over 50 years, we have been creating handcrafted glassware, pottery, and home decor pieces that enrich the lives of our customers. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for creativity, Simon Pearce continues to set the standard for luxury homeware.  From the beginning, Simon set out to create functional, sophisticated products using time honored artisanship and the finest natural materials. Today Simon Pearce owns and operates 13 retail locations, including its Quechee flagship, home to its award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, glassblowing studio, and retail store. Simon Pearce partners with 500 wholesale retailers nationwide, provides corporate gifting to hundreds of partners, and offers a full assortment online at: simonpearce.com

SBJ Capital Summary:
SBJ Capital is an investment firm that manages over $600 million and invests in family and founder owned consumer and business services companies. They partner with leading businesses in a niche or geography and leverage operating experience to help accelerate growth. Their mission is to become a preeminent lower middle market private investment firm pursuing multiple strategies, and they believe that a strong culture built on integrity, transparency and respect are critical to long-term success.

Position Summary:

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will play a crucial role in shaping financial strategy and operations in a rapidly growing, private equity-backed organization. This role will oversee financial planning and analysis, accounting, IT infrastructure, and strategic planning to enhance operational efficiency and support our business and growth objectives.  .   

The CFO will partner closely with the CEO, board, and senior management to oversee accounting, financial and strategic analysis, accounts payable, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and capital allocation. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead all financial functions, implement robust processes and controls, and foster a high-performing finance team.

We offer competitive pay and a benefit package that includes: medical, dental, and vision coverage, employer paid life & disability, paid time off, 401k retirement plan with employer match, and tuition reimbursement assistance.  Additionally, we offer exclusive employee discounts on both our glass and pottery products and at our restaurant.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and execute financial strategies to support the company's growth objectives, leveraging your experience in small-to-mid sized, private equity-backed corporate environments.
• Lead cross-functional teams to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities. 
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team, providing financial insights and recommendations to drive business performance.
• Be a lead contributor in evaluating, performing due diligence, and determining financing solutions for growth initiatives.

Financial Management:

• Oversee financial reporting, tax, analytics, forecasting, budgeting, compliance, accounting policies and procedures in accordance with GAAP.

• Produce board and executive-level models and reports on organizational financial performance, KPIs, forecast, and budget.
• Implement and enhance financial processes and controls to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
• Ensure the integrity of the company’s financial data and external financial reporting. 
• Lead the annual budgeting and planning process supporting the operating plan and strategic playbook for the company. 
• Convert data that is collected into strong analytical insights for the business.

Technology:

• Lead Business Applications to ensure the business’ technology stack (mainly Netsuite, Celigo and Shopify) is positioned to facilitate the growth objectives of the business.
• Drive automation and integration efforts to streamline finance operations and enhance data visibility.
• Evaluate and implement initiatives to leverage technology to improve productivity and operational efficiency and reduce friction in all areas of the business.
• Lead relationship with Managed Service Provider ensuring high end-user satisfaction, smooth working relationship with internal IT, and maximized value-for-money and help coordinate cooperation with the IT department to ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of technology systems.

Relationship Management:

• Maintain an understanding of the capital markets and the capital structure of the company, including analysis, forecasting, and compliance with all debt covenants.
• Manage lending relationships and effectively communicate financial performance and strategies to stakeholders, including investors and board members.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to address challenges and opportunities.

Supervision:

• Recruit, interview, hire, and train staff.
• Overseas daily workflow of the department.
• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Provides disciplinary actions and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.

Qualifications

Qualifications 

• 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with a track record of success in Private Equity-backed businesses.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field; CPA preferred but not required.
• Strong background in financial processes, controls, and reporting, with exposure to leveraged environments.
• Prior experience in small-to-medium sized teams and entrepreneurial environments.
• Prior experience in retail and manufactured consumer products is preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes demanding environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Thorough knowledge of financial best practices and requirements with a proven ability to provide sound and ethical financial counsel to executive leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in team management and development, with a focus on fostering talent and driving results.
• Strong leadership and multi-departmental management experience.
• Proficient with the financial tools required to make estimates, business forecasts and strategic decisions (including advanced Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets skills).
• Preferably worked for a PE-backed company that has gone through a full cycle of growth/investment and liquidity event (sale, recapitalization).

Characteristics 

• Eager to learn the business and “roll-up your sleeves” mentality
• Entrepreneurial at heart, desire to be more than just an employee
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Driven by performance and results
• Strategic thinker and visionary
• Collaborative and cross-functional leader
• Confident and self-motivated
• Culture champion  
• Leads through inspiration, training, and proactive mentorship 
• Results-oriented with a focus on driving continuous improvement

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Simon Pearce is committed to the policy of equal employment opportunity and to provide all employees with the work environment necessary to enable them to advance on merit as far as their talents and skills will take them, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected class of veteran, or any other legally protected status.