Vice President Finance (Head of Function)

Korn Ferry is pleased to partner with our client - an established highly regarded privately held designer and marketer of licensed sports, and corporate apparel in the search for a Vice President / Head of Finance. They are a leading lifestyle apparel company, representing professional sports leagues and hundreds of colleges and universities across North America. With a strong product offerings, loyal customer base, and a long-standing reputation for quality, the company continues to expand its market presence and drive sustainable growth. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the VP / Head of Finance will serve as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to the executive leadership team. This executive will have broad responsibility across all aspects of finance and accounting, providing leadership in financial planning, forecasting, reporting, cash flow management, profitability improvement, risk management, and corporate governance. Beyond traditional finance leadership, the VP / Head of Finance will play a critical role in shaping business strategy, driving operational performance, and identifying opportunities to accelerate growth and improve profitability. The successful candidate will bring a combination of financial rigor, commercial acumen, and leadership capability, helping guide the organization through its next phase of evolution. This is an exceptional opportunity for a forward-thinking finance leader seeking a highly visible role with direct CEO exposure and significant influence across the company. LOCATION: Greater Phoenix Area, AZ (on-site / open for relocation) KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Executive Leadership & Business Partnership Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Executive Team, providing financial insights and recommendations that support business growth and long-term value creation. Partner cross-functionally with leaders across operations, sales, supply chain, merchandising, and technology to drive performance and achieve key business objectives. Help shape enterprise strategy through data-driven analysis, financial modeling, and business planning initiatives. Support strategic investments, capital allocation decisions, and growth opportunities. Financial Strategy & Performance Management Lead the company's budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and financial analysis processes. Develop meaningful financial reporting and KPIs that enable improved decision-making and operational accountability. Analyze financial performance and business trends, identifying opportunities to enhance profitability, efficiency, and working capital performance. Prepare and present financial results, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership. Accounting & Financial Operations Oversee all aspects of accounting, finance, treasury, tax, credit, banking, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions. Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements. Direct the preparation of financial statements, tax filings, and reporting requirements. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen processes, controls, and reporting capabilities. Cash Flow, Profitability & Operational Excellence Provide leadership in cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and working capital optimization. Partner with operations leadership to improve margins, inventory performance, cost management, and overall business profitability. Leverage financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that support sustainable growth. Drive accountability for financial performance throughout the organization. Maintain strong financial controls, compliance processes, and governance standards across the organization. Oversee external audit activities, tax compliance, insurance programs, and relationships with banking partners. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Evaluate and mitigate financial and operational risks while safeguarding company assets. Talent & Organizational Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounting, Finance, and Credit teams. Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and talent development. Strengthen organizational capabilities through succession planning, coaching, and employee development initiatives. Act as a visible and engaged leader across the organization. KEY REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline required; MBA or advanced degree preferred. 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance leadership experience, including significant experience in senior finance leadership roles. Experience within manufacturing, consumer products, apparel, retail, wholesale distribution, food and beverage, industrial, or similarly complex operating environments. Deep understanding of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, treasury, tax, and audit requirements. Demonstrated success leading budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, and strategic business planning processes. Strong understanding of cost accounting, inventory management, bill of materials (BOMs), supply chain operations, and distribution environments. Experience working with ERP platforms; Microsoft Dynamics 365 experience preferred. Proven ability to influence executive leaders through financial insights, storytelling, and strategic recommendations. Track record of translating complex financial information into actionable business decisions that drive growth and profitability. Demonstrated success building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams. Strategic, commercially minded, and hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced and evolving business environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Korn Ferry