Healthy Growth: Financial Stewardship for Sustainable Gardening Products

Client Overview

Our client is a $30M revenue private equity-backed company that manufactures premium gardening products. Founded in 1996 in Portland, Maine, with the simple idea that a healthy planet needs healthy soil to sustain life, the company has grown to offer some of the most unique and effective organic gardening products available. For more than 20 years, they have produced exceptional, organically approved compost-based soils, enriching mulches, soil supplements, and liquid fertilizers. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, they have become a trusted name in the gardening and agricultural chemicals sector.

The Challenge/Mandate

Our client engaged us to identify an Interim CFO to provide financial leadership while they conducted a search for a permanent hire. The interim executive needed a strong accounting background and the ability to be hands-on with daily operations, including closing the books and managing a small finance team. This individual would oversee a team of three (FP&A Analyst and AR/AP) and help stabilize and improve financial processes during a critical transition period. The opportunity required manufacturing industry experience, comfort in working in a private equity-backed environment, and readiness to travel to the Northeast during the initial onboarding period. For the right candidate, this role could convert to a permanent position.

Search Strategy

We focused on identifying a seasoned financial executive with prior experience as a CFO or Controller in PE-backed companies. Key requirements included a strong technical accounting foundation, a history of hands-on leadership within manufacturing businesses, and the ability to quickly assess and improve financial operations. Candidates needed a proven track record of success in driving operational excellence and implementing best practices in cost accounting, reporting, and FP&A within complex organizations

The Placement

We placed a senior executive with extensive experience as a CFO and COO across multiple industries. Known for growing revenues, optimizing costs, and improving operational performance, he has successfully diagnosed and solved strategic challenges in manufacturing, distribution, financial, and service operations. His expertise includes integrating and improving business processes, developing financial talent, and implementing systems that enhance organizational efficiency. With over three decades of experience, he brought a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of private equity environments.

The Outcome

As Interim CFO, he immediately stabilized the finance function by implementing a more streamlined, efficient, and accurate monthly reporting package. This initiative reduced reporting time by up to a week, increased accuracy, and ensured alignment with the general ledger. He identified significant discrepancies in existing financial models versus audited financial statements and corrected long-standing errors in the handling of intercompany eliminations. To strengthen the team’s capabilities, he provided hands-on training in cost accounting practices, enabling the finance staff to analyze production costs, inventory, sales cost of goods sold (COGS), and absorption accounting variances more effectively. He also introduced a cash flow forecasting process, uncovering potential liquidity risks and enabling proactive management of working capital. Additionally, he worked closely with the private equity sponsors to support tuck-in acquisition opportunities, provided FP&A insights to drive strategic decisions, and enhanced communication of financial performance to senior leadership and the board. His efforts not only ensured operational continuity but positioned the company for sustainable growth and a seamless transition to a permanent CFO.