Framing The Search Assignment
Position: Chief Financial Officer
Client: A 5th-generation family-owned food manufacturer in California
The Challenge
A family-owned and operated food manufacturer in California required a Chief Financial Officer to build the long-term growth strategy as it plans to double in size in the next 5 years.
The CFO search required identifying a candidate who could bridge the gap between maintaining the financial stability of a well-established, family-owned company and building the infrastructure necessary for future growth. The ideal candidate needed to drive a strategic financial vision while implementing modern systems, such as Power BI and ERP upgrades, for improved forecasting and reporting.
Beyond technical expertise, the CFO had to bring strong leadership capabilities to build out and mentor a finance team, provide decision support to the CEO and Board, and ensure transparency across all financial operations. This role demanded someone capable of managing both day-to-day financial operations and longer-term planning, while collaborating cross-functionally with sales and marketing to align financial strategy with business development efforts.
The right candidate needed to respect the company’s heritage while preparing it for expansion, investment opportunities, and potential M&A activity.
The Solution
3P Partners placed a senior finance executive with over two decades of experience leading global CPG and vertically integrated agribusinesses. He stood out for his ability to transform commercial finance functions, build high-performing teams, and drive customer-level profitability through systems automation and strategic planning.
He built new margin reporting capabilities using Power BI, led initiatives to realign FP&A structures, and partnered with executive teams to enable cross-functional decision-making and growth investments. His collaborative leadership style and passion for values-driven businesses made him a strong cultural fit for a family-owned company undergoing significant transformation and expansion.
The 3P Difference
We are the industry-leading food and agribusiness executive search firm. We approach experienced candidates who are not actively looking for a new position to give you access to a broader, more qualified talent pool. Our reputation relies on our ability to deliver high-quality service and timely results.
The Results
The client was extremely pleased with our collaborative hiring process and ability to identify a candidate who not only had extensive industry experience but was a great cultural fit. 3P Partners also placed their Chief People Officer and Chief Revenue Officer, as well as several other key leadership positions within this business.