Interim Chief Financial Officer

Derwent Search; Sydney; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Derwent Search is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer for a private equity-backed, multi-site industrial business in Greater Western Sydney. The role focuses on cost of labour, asset utilisation, and strengthening forecasting and budgeting, with board-ready insights for the PE fund and leadership team.

The incumbent will build finance capability, deliver robust financial reporting, and engage with commercial teams to review sales performance.

Qualifications

• Must have proven experience as a CFO within an industrial, multi-site or asset-intensive environment.
• Experience operating in a private equity-backed business is essential.
• Available to start immediately or on short notice, with full Australian work rights for the duration of the contract.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the finance function with timely reporting to CEO, Board and PE fund, providing insights for decisions.
• Maintain and enhance financial reporting systems and controls.
• Strengthen forecasting and budgeting processes for improved accuracy and planning.
• Mentor and develop finance team members to build capability and confidence.
• Assess and manage cost base across labour and fixed assets across sites and fleet.
• Partner with commercial and operations teams to review sales performance and identify margin opportunities.
• Oversee cash flow and working capital management across the business.
• Support strategy execution including M&A and transaction-related activity.

Skills

Labour cost analysis

Fixed asset cost analysis

Financial reporting

Forecasting and budgeting

Leadership / mentoring

Commercial acumen

Sales performance analysis

Education

CA or CPA qualification

Job description

About Our Client

Our client is a private equity-backed, multi-site industrial business based in Greater Western Sydney. We are seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function for a period of about 6 months, with an immediate start.

The Role

This is a hands-on role, requiring the incumbent to quickly build relationships across the finance and executive leadership team. Key areas of focus will be assessing cost of labour and fixed asset utilisation, supporting the commercial team in reviewing sales performance, and strengthening forecasting and budget discipline.

The role requires an experienced operator to sharpen financial reporting, build capability within the finance team, while delivering confident, board-ready insights to the private equity fund and executive leadership team.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Interim Chief Financial Officer will be required a minimum of three days in the office or as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to the CEO, Board and private equity fund, with insight to support decision-making.
• Maintain and enhance financial reporting systems and controls.
• Strengthen forecasting and budgeting processes to improve accuracy and planning discipline.
• Mentor and develop finance team members, building capability and confidence across the function.
• Assess and manage the cost base across labour and fixed assets, across operational sites and fleet.
• Partner with commercial and operations teams to review sales performance and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• Oversee cash flow and working capital management across the business.
• Support the CEO and PE partner with strategy execution, including M&A and transaction-related activity.

What You'll Bring

You must have proven experience as a Chief Financial Officer within an industrial, multi-site or asset-intensive environment. Experience operating within a private equity-backed business is essential.

• Experience in labour and fixed asset cost analysis within a logistics or asset-intensive operation.
• Demonstrated leadership experience building the capability of a finance team.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to interpret cost and sales data to inform decisions.
• CA or CPA qualified, with strong technical accounting knowledge across financial reporting, statutory compliance and tax.

This is an interim engagement based in Greater Western Sydney. To be eligible, you must be available to start immediately or on short notice, with full Australian work rights without restrictions for the duration of the contract.

Applications close: 2 October 2026.