New Opportunity: Chief Financial Officer with Skutt Ceramic Products
Chief Financial Officer
About Us
In 1953 father/son team, Ralph and Neil Skutt, manufactured the industry’s first multi-sided hobby kiln in Olympia, Washington under the name “Skutt & Sons”.
The introduction of this new lightweight design revolutionized not just the ceramic kiln business but the whole ceramic industry by bringing ceramics to the home.
A lot has changed over the last 70+ years. Kiln companies have come and gone, new clay bodies and glazes are constantly being developed that demand greater firing precision, and automatic controllers are quickly replacing the once cutting edge KilnSitter.
Throughout the years we at Skutt have worked hard to meet the changing needs of our customers, but one thing that has remained constant is our fierce dedication to manufacturing quality products and providing outstanding customer service.
We realize that every object placed in a Skutt kiln has value. It could be a child’s horse that looks more like a dog or a master potters $20,000 commissioned sculpture. Both of these artists are counting on our kiln to do its job and we don’t want to let them down.
Position Summary
Reporting directly to the CEO and with direct lines to ownership and the Board of Directors, this net new CFO position is responsible for directing and overseeing the financial activities of the company, directing the preparation of financial reports and summaries, and creating forecasts on future growth by performing the following duties:
Essential Duties
- Responsible for all company financial activities (accounting, banking, taxes, budgets, forecasting, etc.).
- Manages IT systems and outside IT service providers to achieve business needs.
- Leads company interfacing with general counsel and outside legal firms.
- Supports the CEO at all Board of Directors meetings.
- Develops direct reports, and the entire management team, in financial acumen and training.
- Works with the executive team to define and model Skutt’s culture and brand.
Additional Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the Executive Leadership team in establishing company vision, goals and strategy.
- Works with the CEO and other executives to coordinate planning and establish priorities for the budgeting and planning process.
- Studies long-range economic trends and projects their impact on future growth in sales and market share.
- Directs the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, shareholder reports, tax returns, and governmental agency reports.
- Compares sales and profit projections to actual figures and budgeted expenses to actual expenses; makes or oversees any necessary adjustments to future projections and budgets.
- Reviews planning process and suggests improvements to current methods.
- Analyzes operations through budgeting and cost accounting activities to effectively manage business activities.
- Identifies opportunities for expansion into new product areas.
- Develops and maintains banking business relationships.
- Works with and supports tax accountants to inform and report financial activities (i.e. taxes).
- Oversees sales and use tax activities.
- Manages IT support partners in maintaining robust computing systems, including phones and websites.
- Manages ERP system operation and updates.
- Calculates and communicates capital budget, spending and analysis to the BOD.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with appropriate legal partners and general counsel.
- Establishes pricing guidelines and final product prices in conjunction with marketing and sales leaders.
- Negotiates best available team member benefits and insurance packages.
- Overseas investment of funds and works with investment bankers to raise additional capital required for expansion.
- Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
- Directly supervises employees in the Accounting department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities following the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related field is required. Master’s degree is preferred.
- 10 years related experience in senior level accounting or finance position.
- Previous experience in manufacturing and distribution companies is preferred.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong team leader and organizational skills with the added ability to take initiative.
- Highly organized, accurate, detail and multi-task oriented.
180one is a retained search firm engaged by Skutt Ceramic Products to conduct this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Rochelle Fleischer at
rochelle@180one.com / 503.699.0184
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