Chief Financial Officer, Durham, North Carolina

posted: 4th March 2026

CFO Recruit has been engaged to identify a mid-market CFO for our  client. We are seeking a finance leader with experience in mid-large cap private equity-backed businesses within the distribution sector.

This hands-on position requires a CFO with a solid accounting foundation and proven leadership capabilities to oversee teams across Accounting, Finance, Legal and IT.  The successful candidate will champion data-driven decision making, partner with executive leadership to enhance business performance, and deliver comprehensive analysis and reporting to PE stakeholders. Through exceptional stakeholder management skills, the CFO will build confidence across the organization and maintain ongoing financial stability.

The CFO will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the company’s financial strategy in alignment with growth objectives and private equity investor expectations.
• Provide strategic guidance on business opportunities, operational improvements, and financial performance to support data-driven decision making across the organization.
• Oversee all financial operations ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
• Lead and manage the accounting, finance/treasury, IT, and legal functions, ensuring alignment and integration across all these critical areas.
• Direct the accounting function to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely close processes across multi-state operations.
• Oversee treasury operations including cash management, banking relationships, investment strategies, and capital structure optimization.
• Provide strategic direction for IT systems and technology infrastructure to support financial operations, reporting, and business scalability.
• Guide the legal function on matters related to contracts, compliance, corporate governance, and risk management.
• Lead sophisticated financial modeling to evaluate business scenarios, investment opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage relationships with lenders and investors, ensuring compliance with all loan covenants and lender requirements.
• Present financial performance and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors, private equity investors, and executive leadership team.
• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to translate financial insights into actionable business strategies.
• Oversee cash flow management, capital allocation, and working capital optimization across the business.
• Ensure financial practices comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Maintain strong internal controls and governance to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.

Key Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field required; MBA, CPA, or CMA strongly preferred.
• Proven experience as a CFO or senior financial executive with a strong accounting background in a distribution, logistics, or consumer goods business.
• Strong track record of operating at a strategic level with demonstrated ability to influence business decisions through financial insights.
• Executive presence and gravitas to command confidence with private equity investors, lenders, and board members.
• Expertise in financial modeling, scenario analysis, and translating complex financial data into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder management experience including banking relationships, institutional investors or private equity firms.
• Experience leading finance teams and building high-performance organizations.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in ERP systems and financial planning tools.