Chief Financial Officer – PE-Backed Manufacturing

Location: Vicenza, Veneto
Sector: Manufacturing / Industrial
Compensation: €80,000–120,000 + Bonus + LTI

The Opportunity

Our client is a Private Equity-backed manufacturing business based in the Vicenza area, currently going through an important phase of growth and organisational development.

The company is looking to appoint a Chief Financial Officer who will take ownership of the Finance function and play a key role alongside the CEO, senior management team and Private Equity shareholder.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership position within an industrial environment. The CFO will be expected to combine strong financial discipline with a genuine understanding of the underlying business, working closely with Operations and the wider management team to improve performance, strengthen financial processes and support the company's next phase of development.

The role will have significant exposure to the Private Equity shareholder, with responsibility for providing accurate and insightful financial information, supporting value creation initiatives and contributing to strategic decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and develop the overall Finance function, ensuring robust financial governance and high-quality financial information.

• Take ownership of the company's financial strategy and performance in partnership with the CEO and senior leadership team.

• Oversee Accounting, Controlling, Treasury, Tax and Financial Planning & Analysis.

• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and annual reporting.

• Develop and manage the annual budget, business plan and rolling forecasts.

• Provide management with clear analysis of financial and operational performance, highlighting risks, opportunities and corrective actions.

• Drive continuous improvement across Finance processes, systems and controls.

Industrial Finance & Performance

• Develop a strong understanding of the economics of the manufacturing business and its key performance drivers.

• Monitor and improve margins, production costs, working capital, inventory and cash flow.

• Partner closely with Operations to improve financial visibility and operational performance.

• Strengthen cost accounting, management reporting and KPI frameworks.

• Support investment decisions through robust financial analysis and business cases.

• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency and cash generation.

Private Equity & Value Creation

• Act as a key financial partner to the Private Equity shareholder.

• Lead and coordinate regular investor and board reporting.

• Provide transparent analysis of business performance against budget, business plan and value creation objectives.

• Support the development and execution of the company's value creation plan.

• Contribute to strategic initiatives, including potential M&A, investments, restructuring or other corporate development activities.

• Ensure Finance is equipped to support the company's growth and future evolution.

Team & Organisation

• Lead, develop and structure the Finance team according to the company's growth requirements.

• Establish clear responsibilities, processes and performance standards within the function.

• Build a culture of accountability, business partnership and continuous improvement.

• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Commercial, HR and other senior stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

Must-Haves

• Significant experience in a senior Finance leadership position, ideally as CFO, Finance Director, Group CFO or equivalent.

• Strong background within a manufacturing / industrial environment.

• Solid understanding of financial accounting, controlling, budgeting, forecasting, treasury and cash-flow management.

• Strong experience with industrial KPIs, cost accounting, working capital and profitability analysis.

• Proven ability to work closely with a CEO and senior management team as a genuine business partner.

• Experience producing high-quality reporting for shareholders, boards or other senior stakeholders.

• Strong commercial and analytical mindset, with the ability to translate financial data into clear business decisions.

• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

• Fluent English is preferred.

PE / Transaction Experience

Previous experience in a Private Equity-backed environment is strongly preferred.

The ideal candidate will understand the pace, transparency and reporting requirements associated with PE ownership and will be comfortable working directly with investors on:

• Board and investor reporting

• Budget and business plan processes

• Value creation initiatives

• Cash and working capital optimisation

• Performance improvement

• M&A / add-on acquisitions

• Strategic financial planning

Candidates coming from a strong industrial finance background with relevant exposure to shareholders, investors, M&A or transformation environments will also be considered.

The Ideal Profile

We are looking for a CFO who is both strategic and hands-on.

This is not a role for a purely corporate Finance executive operating at a distance from the business. The successful candidate will be comfortable going into the detail when required, understanding manufacturing economics and working directly with operational teams, while also being able to engage confidently with the CEO, Board and Private Equity investors.

The ideal profile combines:

• Strong financial and technical foundations

• Industrial / manufacturing experience

• Commercial and operational understanding

• PE mindset and shareholder exposure

• Strong leadership capabilities

• A pragmatic, hands-on approach

• Ability to operate in a growing and evolving organisation

What We Offer

• €80,000–120,000 gross annual salary, depending on experience and seniority

• Annual Bonus / MBO

• Long-Term Incentive (LTI)

• Senior leadership position within a Private Equity-backed industrial business

• Direct exposure to the CEO, senior management and PE shareholder

• Significant scope to influence the Finance function and wider business performance

• Opportunity to contribute to the company's next phase of growth and value creation

Location: Vicenza, Veneto