• Do you love conceptual thinking and helping drive business decision making? Are you an organized and forward-thinking decision maker who can plan and lead a team to goal oriented results?
• Do you have a strategic view but are able to roll-up your sleeves and pitch in to help the team?
• Do you come from a finance/accounting background but understand, and want to learn more, about company operations?

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Join an established, employee-owned company who built its reputation on its family of stone hearth ovens and is a strongly preferred provider in the Foodservice industry.
• Embrace a culture that values integrity, respect, humility, and innovation.
• Be a leader in building relationships at all levels of the company to foster credibility and influence to create change.
• Model the way as a Servant Leader exhibiting both empathy and decisiveness.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Based in Bellingham, Washington outside Seattle, Wood Stone Corporation has been manufacturing stone hearth and specialty commercial cooking equipment for the foodservice industry for over 30 years. Wood Stone has had more than 18,000 installations in over 80 countries worldwide. Their products are relied upon for their technologically advanced ceramics and engineering expertise coupled with high quality construction techniques and attention to detail. Wood Stone also designs, engineers, and manufactures a line of specialty commercial cooking equipment in addition to their traditional oven offerings. Key customers include Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, MOD Pizza, and others. Approximately 35% of their sales are with restaurant chains, and the balance to colleges, hospitality, healthcare, and some residential.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting to the President, the VP Accounting and Finance will be a key member of the Leadership Team.  Your role will be both strategic and execution oriented and, while focused on the accounting and finance functions of the company, you will have visibility to the entire company’s operations. In addition, you will lead the IT, purchasing, and logistics functions.

The VP of Accounting and Finance will:

• Assess and evaluate the financial performance of the organization regarding long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts. Provide insight and recommendations to both short-term and long-term growth plans of organization.
• Create and establish yearly financial objectives that align with the company’s plan for growth and expansion.
• Develop performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company’s strategic direction.
• Participate in pivotal decisions as they relate to strategic initiatives and operational models.
• Develop dynamic financial models that incorporate various business drivers and assumptions.
• Oversee and assist in the preparation and communication of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Oversee weekly cash management and AP Department, approve payables, sign checks, authorize wires and ACHs.
• Oversee month end close and the related reporting. Review and analyze monthly financial results and provide recommendations.
• Supervise Accounts Receivable management and provide guidance relating to the collection process.
• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors. Manage preparation and support of all external audits.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions.
• Lead the accounting & finance team, providing mentorship and guidance to foster a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments to align financial goals and strategies with overall business objectives.
• Manage the IT group’s priorities and large-scale projects.
• Manage and participate in corporate purchasing—identify vendors, negotiate contacts, place purchase orders, etc.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience in accounting/finance in a manufacturing environment
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience leading a team to achieve results with credibility, confidence, and collaboration.
• Experience coaching and developing staff while fostering a positive and cohesive team environment.
• A passion for continuous learning and a strong desire to contribute.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Humility, integrity, stewardship, and respect
• Collaborative and influential
• Self-managed – takes initiative
• A servant leader – genuine and authentic, a positive and congenial leader whose natural style employs persuasion and influence rather than command and control
• A strong listener and exceptional communicator at all levels of the company
• Decisive, responsive, and caring
• Leads by example, an inspiring leader

 THE PAYOFF

• Build on a solid foundation of success and help lead the company into its next phase of growth.
• Receive a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary, ownership in an employee-owned company, and generous benefits.

DIVERSITY/INCLUSION STATEMENT

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating the talent in our communities – and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ability, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national origin. You don’t have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you’re drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to reach out.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This role is an in-office role based in Bellingham, WA