Star Step Performance Coatings

Position Overview:We are seeking a strategic, hands-on Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to partner with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders in driving financial performance, operational excellence, and value creation across a diversified performance coatings platform.The ideal candidate will be an experienced finance executive with a proven track record supporting lower-middle-market manufacturing and specialty chemical businesses, particularly within coatings, industrial products, engineered materials, or related sectors. This individual will serve as a key advisor to the CEO and Board, providing financial leadership while helping execute the company's growth strategy, improve EBITDA, optimize working capital, and prepare the business for future strategic transactions. Key Responsibilities:• Serve as the principal financial advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and private equity ownership group. • Develop and execute financial strategies that support revenue growth, EBITDA expansion, and enterprise value creation. • Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range business planning processes. • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting packages for investors and lenders. • Partner with plant leadership and operations teams to improve manufacturing profitability. • Analyze product line profitability, gross margin performance, inventory management, capacity utilization, and raw material purchasing strategies. • Build and refine pricing strategies to improve contribution margins. • Support acquisition evaluation, financial due diligence, and integration planning. • Improve financial reporting accuracy, internal controls, and financial governance. • Lead cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and working capital optimization. Qualifications:• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field. • 15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience. • Prior CFO, Division CFO, VP Finance, or Fractional CFO experience. • Experience within industrial manufacturing, specialty chemicals, coatings, building products, or engineered materials. • Experience in private equity-backed organizations. • Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting and operations finance. • Experience managing businesses with $50M-$250M annual revenue.Preferred Qualifications:• CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential. • Direct experience in architectural coatings, OEM coatings, powder coatings, chemicals, or specialty materials. • Experience leading acquisitions, integrations, and recapitalization events. • Multi-site manufacturing experience.Critical Success Factors:• Strategic financial leadership balanced with operational pragmatism. • Strong executive presence with credibility among investors, lenders, and operating teams. • Ability to rapidly assess business performance and identify value creation opportunities. • Deep understanding of manufacturing economics and EBITDA improvement strategies. • Exceptional communication and board presentation skills.Initial Priorities (First 180 Days):• Evaluate financial reporting, forecasting, and KPI infrastructure. • Develop a comprehensive value creation roadmap. • Improve forecasting accuracy and cash flow visibility. • Review pricing, margin management, and profitability analytics. • Assess manufacturing costs, inventory levels, and working capital efficiency. • Establish investor-grade board reporting processes. • Identify EBITDA enhancement and cost optimization opportunities. • Support strategic growth initiatives, acquisitions, and integration planning.