Market leader in grid-edge measurement and control technology (PE backed)
Our client
Our client is a successful market leader in the field of measurement, control and regulation technology for applications in the field of electrical energy infrastructure. The company operates internationally through a worldwide partner network and recently entered a growth partnership with a leading private equity investor. As part of this development, we are looking for an experienced, entrepreneurially minded CFO (m/f/d).
Your tasks
Financial Strategy & CEO Partnership
- Serve as a true co-pilot to the CEO: challenge assumptions, validate strategic decisions, and embed financial discipline in all operating choices
- Build and lead a best-in-class FP&A function (budgeting, rolling forecasting, scenario planning), sustaining the company’s track record of outperforming budget
- Implement a best-in-class steering and incentive scheme incl. KPI management, establishing the financial framework required for a PE exit at target multiples
- Develop and own the equity story, underpinned by rigorous monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to investors, auditors, banks, and the advisory board
- Manage bank relationships and a levered balance sheet, and oversee risk management and corporate housekeeping
Value Creation & Commercial Finance
- Accelerate the historical topline growth of >10% p.a. while further expanding EBITDA margins from the current level of >20% through the professionalization of commercial functions and enhanced operational efficiency
- Support the internationalization agenda: build-out of direct salesforce in priority markets
- Lead the financial workstream for new market entries, including business case development, investment planning, and performance tracking
- Cost and Working Capital Optimization, particularly Inventory Management
- Managing potential Add-On acquisitions with a focus on integration and implementing a defined value creation plan
IT, Data & Digital, Legal & Compliance, and HR
- IT & Digital: Direct oversight of the IT function incl. ERP ownership and system infrastructure; lead the planned IT infrastructure investment (CRM, ERP professionalization) and the broader digital transformation agenda, including automation of finance processes and data-driven business models beyond finance
- Data Analytics: Build a data analytics strategy and ensure high data quality as the foundation for data-driven company steering
- Legal & Compliance: Responsibility for all legal matters including contract management, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and coordination with external counsel
- HR & People: Leadership of the HR function, including talent acquisition, people development, compensation & benefits design, and organisational development
Your qualification
- 5+ years of progressive finance leadership, with meaningful CFO experience in a PE-backed company (preferably industrial or technology sector) and a demonstrated track record professionalizing a finance function in a comparable environment
- Previous experience in an SME environment, with a genuinely hands-on approach and a proven track record of value creation and change management, incl. measurable results
- Proactive approach to the CFO role, with the ability and willingness to develop ideas that drive shareholder value without prompting from the CEO or the private equity investor
- Previous experience leading or overseeing IT, Legal, and/or HR functions – either as direct line manager or as part of a broad CFO mandate in an SME context – is beneficial
- Strong technical foundation in accounting, treasury, tax, and liquidity management, complementing the strategic FP&A remit
- Track record of digital transformation within finance and broader corporate functions (incl. Business Intelligence / Data Analytics), with an affinity for AI-supported applications
- Experience with sophisticated pricing mechanisms and models (incl. SaaS pricing) beneficial – pricing is one of the clearest early opportunities to add value in this role
- Previous M&A experience beneficial, particularly distributor acquisitions and cross-border transactions
- Good understanding of value creation and the drivers of private equity exit valuations (e.g. always considering financial impact on margins, multiples and ROE)
- Excellent in go-to-market models of industrial product businesses, including the economics of direct versus indirect sales, distributor economics, and internationalization levers
- Good understanding of business models with own manufacturing
- Highly analytical, forward-looking, and commercially minded, with strong strategic vision
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a driven, high-energy personality
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and people management skills, incl. the gravitas and credibility to earn buy-in across the executive team, staff, and PE investors
- Pragmatic and grounded, pairing rigour with hands-on delivery, value-based integrity, and a constructive approach to change
- Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain talent, building an outstanding team
- Willingness to relocate to the company’s HQ in a major city in Bavaria and/or spend at least 3 days / week on site
- Fluent German and English language skills
To apply for this job email your details to j.schilling@talentspy.de
Partner
Jakob Schilling has more than twelve years of experience in executive search, focusing on the placement of C-level and senior finance functions. Before joining TALENTspy, he held senior positions at an internationally leading executive search firm in the private equity space, where he most recently headed the German business. Throughout his career at international executive search boutiques and specialised recruitment consultancies, Jakob has built a strong network of private equity investors, portfolio companies, and senior executives. His focus lies in filling CFO, CEO, and other executive positions in transformation, growth, and buy-and-build situations. Jakob studied Business Administration at DHBW Mosbach and speaks German and English.