VP of Finance (901646)

Aquent is partnering with a rapidly expanding, innovative consumer brand that is redefining its market segment. This dynamic company, known for its premium offerings and strong direct-to-consumer presence, is at a pivotal growth stage, expanding into new retail channels and scaling its operations significantly. They are seeking a visionary finance leader to shape their future and drive sustainable, profitable growth.

We are searching for a transformative finance leader to join this journey. This isn't just a role; it's an opportunity to be the architect of a robust financial infrastructure, directly influencing strategic decisions and ensuring the business is poised for exponential growth and future success. You will be the most senior leader after the founders, bringing critical financial discipline and operational insight to every facet of the organization. This high-impact position is for an operator who thrives in ambiguity, moves fast, and can build credibility across operations, growth, and retail partnerships, making a tangible difference from day one.

**Your Impact & Responsibilities**

This leadership role is a true "build and lead" opportunity, moving the finance function from transactional accounting to a decision-driving powerhouse. You will fix what's broken, build what's missing, and prepare the business for future diligence.

* **Build a Professional Finance Function:**

* Transition from third-party bookkeeping to a professional in-house finance organization.

* Establish a disciplined financial close, consistent reporting cadence, and clear definitions.

* Develop a hiring plan, starting with a Controller, and strategically scale the team over time.

* Implement appropriate finance systems and an efficient operating rhythm, avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.

* Present a comprehensive finance build plan, including organizational structure, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) direction, timeline, and budget within your first 90 days.

* **Drive Omnichannel Profitability:**

* Create decision-ready views of profitability by product, channel, and retail partner.

* Ensure wholesale profit and loss statements accurately reflect real cost-to-serve, including logistics, third-party logistics, allowances, chargebacks, and returns.

* Clarify and make actionable the trade-offs between direct-to-consumer and retail channels.

* Identify and spearhead margin improvement opportunities, continuously optimizing business efficiency.

* Produce a clean, actionable view of true margin (by product, channel, and retail partner) within your first 90 days.

* **Optimize Cash, Working Capital, and Inventory:**

* Build and manage a rolling 13-week cash forecast and comprehensive liquidity plan.

* Improve the cash conversion cycle and instill strong working capital discipline.

* Collaborate closely with planning leadership to prevent inventory overbuying, enhance forecasting accuracy, and manage obsolescence risk.

* Bring rigor to purchase commitments, purchase order (PO) cadence, and critical inventory risk decisions.

* Stand up a credible 13-week cash forecast and working capital plan within your first 90 days.

* **Strategic Business Partner:**

* Partner with growth leadership to establish acquisition spend guardrails and ensure return on investment tied to contribution margin.

* Provide practical guardrails that enable growth, offering smart solutions rather than simply saying "no."

* Support retail account strategy with robust deal modeling and negotiation assistance.

* Serve as the executive-level finance voice across all functions - clear, persuasive, and commercially minded.

* Deliver a weekly executive cadence providing cash and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) visibility, driving critical decisions within your first 90 days.

* **Ensure Diligence-Ready Operations:**

* Build mergers and acquisitions (M&A)-grade financials and supporting schedules.

* Ensure the balance sheet, reporting, and metrics are consistent and defensible.

* Coordinate external tax and audit support, and ensure data room readiness.

* Bring "adult supervision" to financial presentation without slowing down company progress.

* Diagnose the current state of accounting structure, reporting gaps, wholesale economics, inventory/accounting accuracy, and cash flow dynamics within your first 90 days.

**Qualifications**

This role demands a finance leader who is both commercial and operational, capable of moving quickly in a founder-led environment while imposing essential discipline.

**Must-Have Qualifications:**

* Senior finance leadership experience with a proven track record of building or repairing finance operations.

* Omnichannel consumer experience is required, including direct-to-consumer e-commerce alongside retail and wholesale channels.

* Deep expertise in inventory-heavy environments, including landed cost, working capital management, forecasting, and purchase order cadence.

* Proven ownership of cash forecasting and liquidity management, with strong preference for 13-week cash forecasting experience.

* Exceptional communication skills and executive presence, capable of influencing, negotiating, and driving alignment across the organization.

* Demonstrated experience with mergers and acquisitions (M&A) / diligence / transaction processes, understanding what withstands scrutiny.

* Strong preference for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation experience; you will lead selection and implementation within 6-8 months.

* Comfortable with modern business intelligence (BI) and reporting tools, capable of building Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards that leaders actively utilize.

**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**

* Driven, hungry, and outcome-oriented, consistently delivering results.

* A creative problem solver who overcomes roadblocks and finds innovative solutions.

* An outstanding communicator who can effectively negotiate with vendors and partners.

* Able to operate effectively with a founder who possesses a high risk tolerance, bringing discipline and insight without hindering progress.

* Capable of constructively challenging decisions when necessary, fostering trust and momentum.

**Why This Opportunity is Unique**

* **Build, Not Maintain:** Own and scale the finance function for a fast-growing, premium consumer products business - strategy, systems, and outcomes are yours to shape.

* **Real Influence:** Work directly with executive leadership and play a critical role in shaping growth, profitability, and capital decisions.

* **Smart Complexity:** Navigate omnichannel economics, inventory at scale, and margin-driven growth in a hands-on, operator-focused finance role.

* **Lean Team, Real Upside:** Enjoy a high-trust, low-bureaucracy environment with visible impact and significant potential for growth.

* **Strong Rewards:** Benefit from a competitive salary, performance-based bonus, comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, 401(k), life insurance, flexible remote-first work, company-provided equipment, and thoughtful perks that support well-being.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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