CRH's Americas Materials, a division of CRH, is the leading vertically integrated supplier of aggregates, cement, asphalt, ready mixed concrete and paving and construction services in North America. Our operations span North America with 24,100 employees at close to 1,300 locations in 44 US States and 6 Canadian provinces.
Summary
CRH Americas Materials is looking to hire a dynamic executive into its leadership team as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for its Northeast Division to help drive the continued growth of the company. The CFO provides commercial, operational and financial leadership and support to the organization and plays a key role in the strategic direction of the business. S/he leads the finance, accounting, and IT functions for the division. This role oversees financial planning & analysis, budgeting and forecasting, internal controls and compliance, and allocation of capital. The CFO also plays a key role in M&A and works closely with the development team given the highly acquisitive culture of CRH. The Northeast division had revenues of approximately $1.7B in 2019 with EBITDA of ~$370M. The role will oversee 5 direct reports and 1 indirect report. The CFO reports directly to the Division President of the Americas Materials Northeast division and indirectly to the CFO of Americas Materials.
Candidate Profile
Candidates will likely come from complex, multi-national listed companies of commensurate scale when compared to CRH plc. Exposure to a multi-site, highly distributed industrial manufacturing environment and/or the building products sector would be advantageous but not required. Candidates must bring a strong financial bias combined with a track record of handling a broader remit. First and foremost, we are seeking a commercial business partner to the President, AMAT Northeast division, who can support on strategy, drive the performance of the business and bring a strong mind-set around cash and cost. Candidates must bring strong financial acumen, be able to deliver assurance to the division’s President and AMAT CFO around the accuracy and reliability of divisional performance and profitability.
The successful candidate may also bring M&A credentials, with a track record of successfully managing the completion of transactions including due diligence, negotiation of sale and purchase agreements and post deal integrations. Additionally, public company experience is required, with candidates having ideally spent a period at the corporate headquarters of a listed company, thus bringing a strong understanding of the governance and requirements that listed companies are bound by. A strong working knowledge of SOX compliance is preferred. Above all else, the CFO AMAT Northeast division should be a well-rounded leader who can make a company-wide impact, able to spot the opportunities and the issues, make recommendations and drive change in collaboration with other leadership team members.
Candidates will have managed P&Ls within complex businesses and will have worked within a high-performing finance function of scale and be able to bring the necessary leadership skills to further develop CRH’s AMAT Northeast division. S/he shall lead by example and take on a hands-on approach wherever required. S/he will bring a positive and upbeat approach that builds morale, as well as an ability to attract, retain and develop top talent.
Cultural fit will be essential. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an adaptability and flexibility of style and an ability to work in a high energy, low ego environment. S/he must be able to succeed in a collaborative, dynamic, fast-moving company where there is a need to take a hands-on and detailed approach to move the business forward, while simultaneously having the smarts to take a higher-level strategy view of the business, spotting potential areas of opportunity for sustainable growth/value creation. The CFO needs to be a team player with a positive and up-beat approach that fosters enthusiasm and commitment from peers and team members.
Specific & Functional Responsibilities
Finance
IT
Commercial Finance Business Partnering/ Performance Management
Work in partnership with the President, CRH AMAT Northeast division to define and develop the division’s strategy while owning and effectively managing the P&L.
Act as strategic business partner to business leaders on key finance decisions, providing insight, independent perspective, support and oversight on all aspects of business.
Act as a key linchpin between AMAT Corporate Finance and the CRH AMAT Northeast division, bringing corporate management into the division and working closely with the business unit leaders/CFOs to drive performance.
Understand the company’s business model for generating value and translate the operational metrics into key performance indicators. Deliver successful business performance driving top and bottom line improvements.
Identify and recommend commercial and operational initiatives to improve the business.
Support the business in commercial activities that extend beyond the CFO’s traditional remit in order to provide operational support. The CFO CRH AMAT Northeast division will engage in business development activities, liaise with customers, contribute to commercial negotiations and add commercial financial acumen across the business.
Business Strategy and Planning
Contribute to the strategic direction of the overall business through the creation and delivery of an effective business plan. Play a key role as a member of the CRH AMAT Northeast Division Management Team, challenging peers constructively.
Review the business case for any major investment decisions and strategic initiatives in light of AMAT and Group strategy and estimated return on investment. Assess and fully understand the financial requirements of these plans and communicate them clearly to senior management.
Play a key role in the execution of any investment projects, including review and negotiation of contracts.
Understand the market, competitor landscape, trends and macro-economic backdrop.
Financial Planning and Analysis
Develop and deliver a 3–5-year financial plan so that it supports the initiatives of the CRH AMAT Northeast division and serves as a playbook for the growth of the business. Present it effectively to senior management.
Manage the budgeting process. Deliver accurate forecasting, spotting trends and issues early.
Produce excellent management information with clear and transparent KPIs. Use management information and financial analysis to make commercial recommendations and deliver better visibility and insight.
Financial Accounting Reporting, Controls and Governance
Oversee all aspects of accounting operations including establishment and enforcement of accounting policies and procedures in accordance with SOX, GAAP and IFRS requirements, ensuring the integrity of the company’s financial data and financial reporting.
Ensure a cash and working capital focus across the business, educating employees on the importance of cash focus, driving down inventory and debtor days whilst also maintaining strong creditor and debtor relationships.
Continuously upgrade and improve financial reporting and control processes.
Optimize the cost base of the business and effectively control any capital expenditure.
Coordinate corporate taxation compliance and planning, minimizing exposures and identify potential opportunities.
Oversee responsibility of all legal and compliance issues.
Relationships with Internal & External Stakeholders
Develop and cultivate strong relationships with all stakeholders including business unit leaders, operational leaders and auditors, as appropriate.
M&A
Play a critical role in supporting the Strategy and Development Director in driving an M&A strategy for the division.
Support in the completion of transactions including due diligence, negotiation of sale and purchase agreements and management of external advisors.
Support in the planning and execution of post-merger integration including delivery of cost synergies, systems integration and headcount rationalisation.
Development of the Finance Organization
Build the finance organization required for CRH AMAT Northeast division, ensuring all individuals can fulfil their roles.
Develop a finance function which is business enabling and forward looking. Drive consistency and best practice across the finance organisation.
Promote and enable key talent management activities including development and coaching of finance talent, succession pipeline management, recruitment etc.
Control and optimize the cost of the CRH AMAT Northeast division’s finance function.
Play a key leadership role as a member of the CRH AMAT Finance Leadership Team, identifying common goals and working as a collective to share best practices across AMAT and the Group.
Risk Management
Identify the risks associated with the division’s operations.
Ensure that the CRH AMAT Northeast division team is fully appraised of current performance, trends, deviations, threats and opportunities.
Oversight of Other Operational Functions
Oversee the Business Intelligence, IT and Risk Management teams. Work with business unit leaders to restructure where required and drive the setting and achievement of objectives in line with the strategic plan. Have oversight of the creation of a structure and function with clear KPIs and direct the team towards the achievement of its goals.
The new CFO will need to become grounded in the CRH AMAT Northeast division quickly. S/he will need to develop their internal reputation as a decisive, passionate, inspirational, hands on leader who is a true business partner to the division’s President, trusted by the AMAT CFO and who can demonstrate strategic and commercial capabilities.
Skills and Leadership Characteristics
Candidates should bring the following skills and experience:
Sector Experience
Candidates will come from complex, multi-national listed companies of commensurate scale when compared to CRH plc. Exposure to a multi-site, highly distributed industrial manufacturing environment and/or the building products sector would be advantageous but is by no means essential.
M&A Experience
Desired but not required is a proven track record of M&A transactions. A deep understanding of the mechanics of the M&A process including valuation, due diligence as well as post-deal integrations.
Public Company Experience
Public company experience is required. Ideally candidates will have spent a period at the group centre of a listed company and will thus bring a strong understanding of the governance and requirements that listed companies are bound by. A strong working knowledge of SOX compliance is preferred.
Future Potential
Candidates will bring the required gravitas, pedigree and credibility along with the necessary experience and leadership skills to further develop within the finance function at CRH.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated competencies in the following areas:
Proven Results as a Financial Leader
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate broad based functional competence with a proven track record of results in public companies. CRH is looking for a highly intelligent self-starter, an individual with a strong set of organizational values, and someone who readily assumes responsibility for driving strong financial and operational performance. The individual will have implemented financial or cost-containment programs, and improved financial system/control environments. The ideal candidate has been an outstanding performer in a dynamic environment where s/he had a strategic and analytical operations- focused approach to finance.
Strategic Orientation
The successful candidate will be creative and capable of thinking broadly about business- not just finance. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to work with the leadership team to help CRH’s business and financial strategy. S/he can demonstrate the ability to partner with and provide thought-leadership to senior management and other leadership, providing them with insightful, value–added advice, drawing on the information and analysis of the team. This involves active management in real-time, not just reporting the performance after the fact, questioning broad strategic plans and results, partnering on developing improvements and enhancements and challenging assumptions.
Collaboration and Influencing
Key to success in supporting CRH’s drive for results will be the ability to work effectively with different constituencies. S/he will need to communicate to external parties clear, accurate and timely information relevant to CRH’s strategic decisions. Internally, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate that s/he can influence a firm’s decision-making process as a result of his/her functional expertise, but also from demonstrating leadership and initiative. This will require the selected candidate to work collaboratively with the ideas of others, while influencing decisions.
Team Leadership
The ideal candidate will build deep organizational strength to impact the future growth and profitability of the business. S/he should be focused on coaching and mentoring and consistently bring in best-in-class performers. A key focus of the role will be building organizational capability throughout the financial function. The candidate will possess the ability to effectively motivate others to achieve goals and objectives.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's/University Degree
Additional Education Preferred
Master's/Graduate Degree
Preferred field of study
Accounting/Finance
Work Experience
At least 5 or more years of multi-national, large listed company experience
What CRH Americas Offers You
A culture that values opportunity for growth, development and internal promotion
Highly competitive base pay
Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
Group retirement savings program
Health and wellness programs
About CRH Americas
CRH Americas has a long and proud heritage as one of North America’s largest corporations. We are a proud reflection of the hundreds of family businesses, local and regional companies and mid to large sized enterprises that together form the CRH Americas family. CRH Americas operates with a decentralized, diversified structure, letting you work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large enterprise.
CRH Americas is a great place to grow! If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today! Please complete your online application and profile which will be sent directly to the appropriate Hiring Manager. Thank you for your interest in the CRH Americas family!
CRH's Americas Materials is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
EOE/Vet/Disability--If you want to know more, please click on this link.
