Group Chief Financial Officer

Privatal is a Pan-European specialist headhunting firm placing interim and permanent talent across CFO/finance, value creation & strategy, and transformation into private equity-backed portfolio companies and funds. Unlike generalist firms, each Privatal consultant combines deep private equity expertise with a dedicated functional focus—enabling exceptional speed and quality in delivery.

The Opportunity

Privatal is currently retained by a private equity fund in the search for their new Group CFO in the manufacturing sector, where we are seeking a CFO/MD to partner closely with the CEO in driving a full-scale transformation of the business up to private equity standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of the finance function from a traditional privately owned setup to private equity standards.
• Build and professionalise finance capabilities across reporting, controlling, treasury, and performance management
• Establish robust financial reporting, KPI frameworks, and decision-support systems across a multi-site European footprint
• Drive working capital optimisation, cash flow management, and banking relationships
• Act as a key strategic partner to the CEO and investor
• Lead and integrate M&A activities, including post-merger integration and synergy realisation across a multi-side organisation.
• Implement scalable systems, processes, and governance structures to support growth ambitions
• Develop a high-performing finance team across all locations

Ideal CFO Profile

• Proven Group CFO with end-to-end finance leadership with strong transformation experience, ideally transitioning businesses from family ownership to private equity environments
• Solid track record in building finance functions and driving operational and financial excellence
• Experience in industrial and/or manufacturing environments, ideally in a multi-site organisation with a European/international footprint
• Strong exposure to M&A, including integration and value creation
• Prior experience working with private equity investors, ideally as Group CFO
• Hands-on, pragmatic leader with the ability to operate both strategically and operationally
• Strong communication skills and credibility with stakeholders across all levels
• Fluent in German and English
• Strong cultural fit with the German Mittelstand environment

Only successful candidates will be contacted based on the investor's set of requirements.