CFO (Manufacturing/PE)

GlassRatner Executive Search; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is seeking a dynamic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a high-growth, PE-backed company in Toronto. This role involves driving financial strategy, ensuring transaction readiness, and leading financial operations. The ideal candidate has extensive experience as a CFO, particularly in manufacturing or distribution within the automotive industry. Join a committed leadership team and play a key role in shaping a thriving business culture focused on performance and growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a CFO within a high-growth, PE-backed company.
• Builder's mentality and ability to thrive in a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the company for transaction readiness and a successful exit strategy.
• Drive initiatives to unlock margin and efficiency.
• Partner with the CEO to develop the company’s strategic plan.

Skills

Strategic vision

Hands-on execution

Leadership

Financial planning and analysis

Expertise in modern financial systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field

CPA highly preferred

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to join a company primed for transformation and poised for its next major inflection point? Do you want to work with a strong leadership team committed to performance and growth? Are you excited to play a key role in shaping the future of a high-performing, PE-backed business? Do you value being part of a culture that emphasizes hard work, winning, and enjoying the journey? If so, then this might be a great opportunity for you!

For more than a decade, our client has enjoyed a successful partnership with its PE group; a relationship that has fueled strategic investments and long-term growth. Under the leadership of the current CEO and VP Operations, the company has transformed from a capable operator into a true category leader—broadening its distribution footprint, deepening its product portfolio, and establishing trusted partnerships across both aftermarket and OEM channels.

Our client is well positioned in the market to bring on a dynamic and business-minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to help drive the company through its next stage of scale, sophistication, and value creation. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFO will play a critical role in shaping financial strategy and unlocking margin opportunities. This isn’t a traditional finance role, it’s a strategic opportunity for a finance leader with commercial acumen, operational instincts, and an ownership mindset.

The CFO will work closely with the CEO and leadership team to drive business performance, develop the strategic roadmap, and prepare the organization for future transaction readiness. The CFO is someone who is passionate about business, likes to win, and knows how to combine working hard with enjoying their time with the team at work. The successful candidate will be a builder and partner, not only leading all core financial functions including accounting, reporting, FP&A, and compliance, but also acting as a key driver of pricing strategy, systems modernization, and process improvement across a multi-site, growth-oriented operation. As the business scales, the CFO will lead the financial planning and decision-making needed to support expansion and ensure optimal capital deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Transaction Readiness: Prepare the company for a transaction and a successful exit strategy.
• Value Creation: Drive initiatives to unlock margin and efficiency, optimize revenue growth, and maintain discipline and agility in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic Leadership: Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the company’s strategic plan, focusing on long-term growth and value creation.
• Pricing Strategy: Develop and refine pricing strategies to enhance profitability and competitive positioning.
• Financial Management: Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Ensure the company’s financial health and regulatory compliance.
• System Modernization: Lead the modernization of financial systems and processes to support the company’s growth and scalability.
• Multi-Location Operations: Manage financial operations across multiple locations and currencies, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Experience: Proven experience as a CFO within a high-growth, PE-backed company is a must. Experience in the manufacturing and/or distribution side within the automotive industry is a plus.
• Mindset: Builder’s mentality with an ownership mindset. Ability to thrive in a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire high-performance teams. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Skills: Strong strategic vision with hands-on execution capabilities. Expertise in financial planning, analysis, and reporting. Proficiency in modern financial systems and tools.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field. CPA highly preferred.

Why should you apply?

• Growth Opportunity: Join a fast-growing company primed for transformation and poised for its next major inflection point.
• Impact: Play a key role in shaping the future of a high-performing, PE-backed business.
• Leadership Team: Work with a strong leadership team committed to performance and growth.
• Culture: Be part of a culture that values hard work, winning, and enjoying the journey.

Ready to make an impact and shape the future? Don\'t wait; apply in confidence.