Chief Operating Officer

• Reporting to the CEO, National B2B Wholesale: Group includes 2 divisions ~ building materials, heavy duty vehicle AC
• This executive role requires a commercial COO who has a passion for growth
• A strategist who can move the business forward, whilst safeguarding with appropriate risk, compliance, & governance frameworks
• Responsible for shared services
• Working closely with all operational areas of the business to develop into the COO role

Client Details

Founded in 2005, our client is a successful privately held business supplying building materials and heavy-duty air conditioning to customers throughout SA, WA, and NT. Their impressive growth is a testament to their values-driven approach, including fast delivery times, large stock holdings and exceptional sourcing skills.

Description 

The Chief Operating Officer will be a qualified CFO & will be a key part play in shaping the financial strategy and operations of the organisation. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will oversee all financial management, analysing M&A opportunities, strategy, identifying systems improvements and technology improvements. The COO's strategic insights and financial analysis will shape decisions, aligned with achieving with growth objectives and enhancing operational efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote continuous improvement across shared services, adapt strategies to changing conditions, enhance financial performance, and lead a high-performing finance team based on trust and development of people.
• Align financial initiatives with business strategies, integrate diverse data for strategic insights, and innovate financial strategies to drive growth and profitability.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, providing strategic insights and recommendations.

• Manage statutory and management accounting for accuracy and compliance, oversee forecasting, budgeting for financial planning, and lead M&A activities for strategic growth opportunities.
• Implement rigorous risk management practices to mitigate financial risks and protect assets, ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal controls, and establish robust governance frameworks for effective financial management.
• Drive innovation in financial processes and systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, employ creative problem-solving to tackle financial challenges and bolster business transformation efforts, and exhibit resilience in overseeing financial change initiatives organisation wide.
• Engage stakeholders at all levels to understand their needs, communicate financial strategies and results transparently to build trust, and negotiate consensus and support for financial initiatives.
• Listen actively, collaborate with stakeholders, communicate financial & operational information clearly, and communicate consistently to achieve company goals.

Profile

• Proven experience as a CFO or finance-oriented COO, B2B wholesale distribution experience.

• Demonstrated expertise across shared services functions, including financial management, enhancing performance and operational efficiency.
• Excellent analytical abilities and strategic thinking capability.

• Effective communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions.

• Ability to build relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Ideally CA or CPA qualified or Finance related degree