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WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Finance
LOCATION: Burlington, VT
REPORTS TO: Executive Vice President of Finance & Administration
DATE/REVISION DATE: November 24, 2008

OVERVIEW
The VP of Finance directs all the financial activities of the business. This position will work hand in hand with the EVP of Finance & Administration on major financial issues and company wide strategies. The VP of Finance is an active member of the company's leadership group and is responsible for the development and implementation of short and long-term strategic planning with that group. To support all of these responsibilities the person in this position must have excellent communication skills and a proactive approach. The VP of Finance is responsible for all budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting as well as the development of financial processes and systems for Finance Department’s future business needs. This position is also responsible for the management of professional relationships with our Insurance, Banking, Investments, Auditors and Tax Planning partners.

This position requires unwavering commitment to embrace the company’s culture by promoting a developmental organization through the alignment of personal behaviors with the company’s managing principles and core values in the on-going pursuit of the company’s global imperatives.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES
General Finance

• Develop and maintain an appropriate Finance organizational structure that supports the current needs and anticipates future strategic needs of the business
• Manage credit risk and receivables
• Establish departmental goals, objectives, accounting principles, practices & procedures
• Ensure that monthly financial statements and management packages are prepared accurately within defined time frames
• Manage the company’s annual independent audit
• Manage Cash Flow
• As a member of the senior leadership group, partner with the business in the ongoing development and upgrading of the business strategic plan and annual operating plan

Equity

• Participation in capital raising/offerings and related projections/planning
• Manage the Company’s annual stock valuation process (Common and Special Preferred Series)
• Shareholder Relations:
  • Publish Quarterly & Annual reports
  • Manage Annual Shareholders Meeting
  • Maintain all shareholder records to include stock issuance & transfers

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Manage Budgeting & Forecasting Process and develop appropriate systems and tools
• Develop ad hoc business models and manage the development of business plans, in support of the new business development efforts in the company
• Conduct financial analysis, develop reports, metrics and analysis to extract meaningful and strategically important information from financial data including:
  • product line P&L’s
  • profitability by channel and customer
  • economics of potential acquisitions
  • economics of new product initiatives w/leadership team
  • economics of new distribution channels w/sales
  • reporting including key weekly financial information
  • determine economics of various promotional and pricing structures
  • audit manufacturing and distribution charges vs. contract price

Systems
Develop and maintain systems and processes for future business growth needs including:

• ERP system – Microsoft Navision
• Data Warehouse – Finance Universe
• Budgeting/Forecasting system - Hyperion
• Asset Management
• Stock Tracking/Ledgers

Professional Relationships
Manage Insurance, Banking, Investments, Auditors, Legal affairs, Tax Planning & Regulatory Compliance, including:

• management of cash & investments, currency exchange and hedging
• evaluation and or selection of professional business partners
• management of ongoing relationships
• evaluation of potential tax credits and beneficial Government programs
• management of intellectual property
• tax liabilities

Other Leadership & Developmental Responsibilities

• Reviews and evaluates departmental staff strengths & capabilities and identifies gaps in skills & abilities and creates development plans to promote building department skill sets and abilities that strengthens overall organizational decision making capability.
• Lead and manage others within the function through the embodiment of the company’s core values and global imperatives while aligning to the managing principles of the organization.
• Commit to personal development and professional growth by actively participating in personal development initiatives and applying developmental thinking within the context of planning and executing work.
• Ensure that financial information is presented regularly and clearly to Seventh Generation staff and participate in the development and ongoing training and increase of overall business and financial literacy for the organization.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Five + years as a VP Finance, or divisional VP Finance or a minimum of 10 years in a leadership role in finance.
• Master’s Degree (M.A.) or equivalent; or four to ten years related experience and/or training.
• CPA preferred but not required
• Must have in depth experience with wholesale or retail packaged goods sold in multiple channels and geographies.
• Proven experience working in a rapidly growing organization.
• Proven experience planning, developing and implementing systems.
• Excellent communication and relationship skills to be able to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external clients and partners.
• Ability to learn, develop and contribute in a way that promotes and leverages the core values and principles of the business in all aspects of the job.
• Proficiency with information technology and standard software programs to effectively utilize Windows and MS Office applications to include: Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint – other packages as required.
• Exceptional organization skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Passion for working in a values based company in alignment with a learning organization.
• Commit to personal development and growth by actively participating in personal development initiatives and applying developmental thinking within the context of planning and executing work.
• Lead and manage others within the function through the embodiment of the company’s core values while aligning to the managing principles of the organization.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment – no special conditions
• Meeting-intensive culture with a high volume of inclusion and activity
• Learning organization – the expectation to grow and develop is essential
• Travel is expected up to 10% of the time

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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This job description should not be interpreted to be a complete list of all the duties and responsibilities performed by the jobholder. To maintain organizational flexibility, management has the discretion to add, drop or change at any time the duties, responsibilities and expectations of this job.

This job description does not constitute an offer of employment, continuous employment or an employment contract.

Qualified applicants should send a current resume and cover letter to staffing@seventhgeneration.com.

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