Case Study: Financial Planning & Analysis Career Transitions Delivers Highly Skilled FP&A Talent for $2+ Billion Manufacturer Ultimately, we secured two candidates. These were found through hard work: networking via old-fashioned referrals, and cold-calling passive individuals introducing a new opportunity. Position: Financial Planning & Analysis Directors Client: $2+ Billion multi-national designer and manufacturer of capital equipment used in the production of poultry, eggs, and grain. Issue: Our Client had no dedicated resource providing pro-forma modelling on M&A targets, and no centralized function to assist with budgeting, forecasting, and planning for 13 separate sites, across 4 divisions. Assessment: The CEO needed a resource capable of forming a department, while among other responsibilities, gather market intelligence and provide statistical analysis to be used for pricing strategy, and major capital investments. They must also complement each division’s accounting group to include gross and operating margins, and efficiency of asset utilization. Given the remote location of the corporate office, this would be a tricky search. Solution: Researching larger publicly traded companies, Career Transitions identified those which had a dedicated resource in an FP&A role. After a deep dive of these finance departments, we determined the exact targets for this role. Ultimately, we secured two candidates. These were found through hard work: networking via old-fashioned referrals, and cold-calling passive individuals introducing a new opportunity. The first candidate, who was seeking a Ph.D. in Finance, had a long history of FP&A with Whirlpool Corporation. With a chance to lead a newly formed department, the second candidate, from a large Midwest medical device and orthopedic manufacturer, found this opportunity extremely appealing. The depth and breadth of experience in manufacturing finance, coupled with strong pedigrees, including CFA designations, made them excellent fits. Both individuals, reporting directly to the CEO, assisted with substantial international growth over the coming years. This expanded our Client’s global footprint via M&A work in Europe (France, Germany, Holland) and completed the analysis needed to begin brick-n-mortar operations in Asia. Today, our client is in the top 3 manufacturers that produce pork products for the southeast Asian markets. Related Case Studies