Interim Chief Financial Officer

Emu Search; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Emu Search is seeking an experienced Interim CFO/FD to lead a mid-sized manufacturing business through a critical three-month turnaround. This hands-on assignment requires rapid immersion in the numbers, uncovering issues and delivering on tighter financial discipline and PE-grade reporting standards.

Key focus areas include robust management reporting, enhanced P&L processes, cash flow visibility and practical financial controls, with strong collaboration across senior leadership to provide

Qualifications

• Significant senior finance leadership experience within manufacturing is essential.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing costing, inventory and operational finance.
• Experience establishing investor-grade reporting, ideally within PE-backed environments.

Responsibilities

• Review manufacturing costing, inventory valuation and margin accuracy.
• Establish robust, PE-grade management reporting with clear visibility of performance.
• Strengthen monthly P&L processes, forecasting, cash flow visibility and controls.
• Identify and address underlying financial and operational issues.
• Partner with senior leadership to deliver timely, commercially meaningful insights.

Skills

Senior finance leadership

Manufacturing costing

Inventory management

Investor-grade reporting

Turnaround / business improvement

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

We're seeking an experienced Interim CFO/FD to support a mid-sized manufacturing business through a critical period of financial and operational improvement, for a minimum 3-month term.

This is a hands-on assignment requiring someone who can quickly get across the numbers, identify areas of concern and establish greater financial discipline, transparency and PE-grade reporting standards.

Key priorities include:

• Reviewing manufacturing costing, inventory valuation and margin accuracy.
• Establishing robust, PE-grade management reporting with clear visibility of business performance, profitability and key operational drivers.
• Strengthening monthly P&L processes, forecasting, cash flow visibility and financial controls.
• Identifying and addressing underlying financial and operational issues.
• Partnering with senior leadership to deliver accurate, timely and commercially meaningful financial insights.

What we're looking for:

• Significant senior finance leadership experience within manufacturing is essential.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing costing, inventory and operational finance.
• Experience establishing investor-grade reporting, ideally within PE-backed or similarly demanding environments.
• Demonstrated success in interim, turnaround or business improvement assignments.
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach with the ability to deliver results quickly.
• Immediate or near-immediate availability and a local base.

This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact over a concentrated three-month period.