CFO

The organisation

Our client Hytrans is an innovative and successful Dutch manufacturing company that develops and produces high-quality mobile pumps and water transport systems. These systems are mainly used in the emergency market.  Over the past decades, these systems have been constantly improved and further developed. As a result, the company delivers its state-of-the-art systems worldwide and is the global market leader. The systems are robust, reliable, quickly deployable and safe. Their containerised systems include all the necessary components to create an emergency mobile water supply network, which can pump a flow rate of up to 50,000 litres per minute. They are designed to be deployed within minutes with minimum manpower, pumping water continuously over several kilometres, even in extreme conditions. Their uses include fighting of large industrial fires, wildfires, floods and providing emergency cooling for nuclear power stations. Climate change is a driver of future demand, and the ability to quickly extinguish fires is also desirable from an environmental perspective.

Hytrans employs around 80 people, with a flexible workforce added at peak times. The emphasis is on (further) development and assembly (C-to-O). Engineering includes both any customer-specific engineering and product development (e.g. due to changing emission requirements).

The company has experienced strong growth in recent years, with turnover quadrupling in 15 years. The end of this growth is still not in sight, however. The pipeline with leads for the next three years is filling up rapidly and there is still great potential in new geographical markets and new applications (e.g. wildfires). Hytrans has a very high conversion rate from proposal to order, but in a world of tenders, the decision-making processes can be drawn out over many months.

In addition, a replacement market will develop in the coming years and there are opportunities in the roll-out of service concepts. Leasing & rental solutions represent a yet untapped opportunity for Hytrans. The Dutch and German markets are served directly from Lemmer. Outside these areas, the company has a network of around 40 distributors. International sales are particularly strong in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The company is owned by a group of reputable German and Swiss families whose shareholder interests are represented by a professional investment firm that is focused on industrial businesses.

The position

The CEO is leading the company on all aspects of business operations and sales. The Management Team needs reinforcement to professionalise the company and accelerate the growth potential. The organisation needs a strong second man/woman for the finance executive position, therefore we are looking for a CFO.

Tasks & responsibilities

As CFO, you are a sparring partner for the CEO, management and other stakeholders of Hytrans. Together with the CEO you form the board of the company, you are the financial conscience of the organization and monitor its financial position, risks and results. You are part of the management team and directly responsible for Finance & Control, Compliance, IT and Facilities. Your direct reports are a business controller, a finance controller, IT and administration.  In this role, you are able to challenge other MT members and the entire organization on topics such as investments, working capital, productivity, efficiency, product and project profitability, purchasing and manufacturing costs. You bring “business case thinking” and profit and cashflow awareness to the operational and commercial teams. You also are closely involved in organisational and process choices and you have above average knowledge and interest in the operational side of the organization. This means the  CFO needs to be hands-on in the shaping of the company with regards to the cost-side (SCM/Production/LEAN) and internal processes. You need to be experienced to use IT technology to do so and thereby create a competitive edge (Industry 4.0).

In your position, you function as a business partner and serve as a source of information on financial performance and processes. You manage the finance team and focus on the further optimization of the business policy, the reports and the support systems. You ensure an effective and efficient system of internal controls, you monitor the planning & control cycle and work on the continuous improvement of financial KPIs (Balanced Scorecard). You have external contacts with shareholders, lending banks, legal support, the auditor, the tax specialist, insurance companies, external consultants and agencies.

As CFO you and your team are responsible for:

• The budget, financial reporting to shareholders and lenders, forecasting, business plan, management information and analysis
• Initiating, coordinating and optimizing the administrative organization and internal controls
• The further professionalization of annual budgets, multi-year business planning, monthly reporting, board presentations and controlling systems (including KPIs/Balanced Scorecard)
• Preparing or having prepared the annual accounts in accordance with Dutch GAAP
• Treasury and liquidity planning
• The further professionalization of ‘risk and control’, including compliance
• Assessing investment proposals and business issues
• Managing the insurance portfolio
• Managing the ICT structure (functional management of 2 employees + external parties)
• Managing other aspects of the facilities.

Candidate profile

The CFO we are looking for has an academic degree in finance or in economics. You have experience with project-based production and assembly of (complex) equipment and systems. You really understand POC accounting, management / cost accounting, you have experience in identifying, analysing and controlling project costs and setting up respective project control systems and processes (KPI/Balanced Scorecard). You follow the purchasing and supply chain processes, and you are closely involved in pricing and margin development. You have experience in negotiating with lenders on corporate (i.e. loans) and operational financing matters (e.g. leasing, working capital financing). You are capable of communicating and make decisions at strategic management level but are all always willing to roll up your sleeves, dive into detail and dig deep to understand and analyse raw data and processes.

You have a proven track record as CFO in a high-growth international environment with SME and project characteristics. You have the brainpower and capacity to shape the organisation and improve processes, creative in problem solving, you have an entrepreneurial drive, you are honest, open and straightforward. You are hands-on, accessible and culturally aware. A good listener and connector, who knows how to inspire and motivate his people and his peers across departments and hierarchical levels. With your personality, knowledge and experience, you can lead people in the desired direction. You have an eye for the continuous improvement of business processes, tech- and digital savvy and working in a broad, versatile position in an innovative SME energizes you.

Competencies that complete your profile are good communication and presentation skills in Dutch and English. You have drive and energy, you are a self-starter, you are decisive and thorough.  You take ownership, you delegate responsibility but you remain informed, easy to engage but also pro-active in engaging others.

The offer

Hytrans offers the successful candidate an enterprising and challenging position of ultimate financial responsibility at an extremely good time in the company’s development to come on board. Growth potential, international presence, a strong brand, a strong product and a company with a good culture.

Interested?

When you apply for this role, please provide an English CV and motivation letter. If you are interested in this position you can apply by using the link below.

For more information please contact the consultant in charge: Gertjan van de Groep of Monique van Dijk, +31 346 – 87 00 20.