<p>We are looking for an experienced finance leader to guide accounting and financial strategy for an agriculture-focused organization in Salinas, California. This onsite role will work closely with senior leadership to strengthen financial performance, support operational decision-making, and provide oversight across budgeting, reporting, costing, and compliance. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, sound business judgment, and a track record of success in complex manufacturing, food, produce, or agricultural environments.</p><p><br></p><p>Responsibilities:</p><p>• Serve as a strategic advisor to division leadership, translating financial results into recommendations that support growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.</p><p>• Direct the yearly planning cycle, including budget development, forecast updates, and longer-range financial outlooks for the business.</p><p>• Build financial models and scenario analyses that help leaders evaluate business conditions, risks, and investment opportunities.</p><p>• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned with company standards.</p><p>• Lead accounting close activities and maintain strong internal controls, policy compliance, and reliable financial processes across the division.</p><p>• Manage product costing and inventory valuation, with close attention to raw materials, packaging, labor, freight, and other core cost drivers.</p><p>• Track key financial and operational metrics, identify performance trends, and communicate actionable insights to leadership teams.</p><p>• Monitor capital spending, assess return expectations, and help improve cash flow and working capital management.</p><p>• Lead, coach, and develop finance and accounting staff while fostering accountability and high performance across multiple entities or business units.</p><p>Posted by Staffing Director Scott G. Moore (Apply here and connect on LinkedIn)</p>
We are looking for an experienced interim Chief Financial Officer to provide hands-on financial leadership for a Long-term Contract position based in San Jose, California. This role is best suited for a finance executive who brings deep planning and analysis expertise along with the accounting knowledge needed to guide reporting, close activities, and public-company expectations. The ideal candidate can step in quickly, partner effectively with established leaders, and communicate confidently with both local stakeholders and the parent company team in India.<br><br>Responsibilities:<br>• Lead budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and financial modeling activities to support business decisions and performance visibility.<br>• Oversee cash flow analysis and capital management to help maintain financial stability and support operational priorities.<br>• Direct monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc financial analysis, translating complex data into clear recommendations for executives and board-level audiences.<br>• Provide leadership to the accounting function, ensuring accurate financial reporting and appropriate oversight of controllership activities.<br>• Support an efficient five-day month-end close process and coordinate preparation for audits and recurring board reporting requirements.<br>• Develop executive-ready presentations and reporting materials using advanced Excel and PowerPoint capabilities.<br>• Work closely with established functional leaders to align finance support with business objectives and drive timely decision-making.<br>• Engage effectively with the India-based parent company team, including participation in early-morning or late-evening meetings when needed.<br>• Use modern AI-enabled tools and business systems to improve analysis, reporting quality, and overall finance efficiency.
• Key Skills:<br>o Strong analytical skills; not just a task-doer but able to review and analyze<br>o Experience supervising or managing at least 1-2 people<br>o Ability to coach and review work of specialists<br>o High attention to detail due to large weekly payment volumes (over $60M/week to ~600 growers)<br>o Solid accounting foundation, especially in reconciliations and balance sheet management<br>o Strong Excel skills; familiarity with Oracle and Driscoll’s GGS settlement engine<br>o Comfortable with high-volume, deadline-driven environment<br>o Fast learner, self-starter, and adaptable personality<br>• Education: Accounting degree required; CPA not required; experience more important than credentials<br>• Industry Experience: Open to candidates without agriculture background; manufacturing/inventory accounting experience is acceptable<br>Scope of Work & Responsibilities<br>• Grower Accounting:<br>o Oversee weekly grower payments, review and validate specialist work<br>o Ensure accuracy in packaging deductions and share percentages<br>o Coach and support specialists and senior accountant<br>• Cost Accounting:<br>o Support project-based work (e.g., process documentation, workflow improvements)<br>o Analyze reports and data, partner with finance for value-add analytics<br>o Review work of senior cost accountants, help push projects and process improvements<br>• Split: Estimated 50% grower support, 50% cost accounting/project support