Chief Financial Officer

Vessey & Company, a Holtville, California based agricultural vegetable production business, is seeking a strategic financial leader to guide the company’s fiscal health and long-term sustainability. In the role of Chief Financial Officer, you will oversee accounting, finance, treasury, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and reporting across farming, packing, and distribution operations, working closely with the CEO and board to drive growth and prudent risk management.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and implement the company's strategic growth initiatives.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations regarding operational investments, acquisitions, capital projects, and expansion opportunities.
• Develop long-range financial plans aligned with business objectives.
• Evaluate new business opportunities, market conditions, and profitability drivers.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to ownership, investors, lenders, and board members.
• Lead the evaluation, implementation, and governance of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation, and data analytics solutions across the organization.
• Develop and maintain company-wide AI policies, procedures, and governance standards to ensure responsible, secure, and effective use of AI technologies.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI and automation to improve efficiency in finance, accounting, crop planning, labor management, supply chain operations, forecasting, reporting, and administrative functions.
• Partner with operational leaders to implement data-driven decision-making tools that enhance productivity, profitability, and resource utilization.
• Establish controls to ensure compliance with data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements related to AI and digital technologies.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation by evaluating new technologies that reduce costs, improve reporting accuracy, and increase operational efficiencies.
• Utilize predictive analytics and AI-enabled forecasting tools to improve budgeting, cash flow management, crop profitability analysis, inventory management, and strategic planning.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives that support scalable growth and strengthen the company's competitive position within the agricultural industry.
• Oversee all accounting and finance functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, tax, treasury, and financial reporting. Experience with Famous Accounting software helpful.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Develop and maintain financial models, cash flow projections, and profitability analyses.
• Monitor key financial and operating performance indicators.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts.
• Work closely with farm operations, production, harvesting, packing, transportation, and sales teams to develop accurate financial plans.
• Analyze actual performance against budget and forecast assumptions.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies.
• Analyze crop profitability by commodity, field, ranch, customer, and growing season.
• Monitor direct and indirect production costs, including labor, water, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, equipment, and transportation.
• Support operational decisions through financial and data-driven analysis.
• Develop systems to track key agricultural performance metrics and margins.
• Evaluate capital expenditures related to land improvements, equipment, irrigation systems, cooling facilities, and packing operations.
• Manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital requirements.
• Oversee relationships with banks, agricultural lenders, equipment financing providers, and other financial institutions.
• Negotiate and manage operating lines of credit and financing arrangements.
• Optimize capital structure and financing strategies to support growth.
• Oversee enterprise risk management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations.
• Manage agricultural insurance programs, including crop, property, liability, workers' compensation, and other risk management programs.
• Coordinate audits and tax compliance activities.
• Monitor evolving agricultural, labor, environmental, and water-related regulations impacting the business.
• Lead and mentor accounting, finance, payroll, and administrative personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational partnership.
• Establish performance goals and development plans for finance employees.
• Build scalable finance and accounting processes to support company growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior finance leadership role (Controller, VP Finance, CFO, or equivalent).
• Experience in agriculture, fresh produce, agribusiness, food processing, manufacturing, or a related industry.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Experience managing banking relationships, debt financing, and cash flow planning.
• Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with ERP, accounting, and business intelligence systems.

Technologies

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Machine Learning
• Automation
• Data Analytics
• Famous Accounting software
• ERP systems
• Business Intelligence systems

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Location

Imperial Valley, California (onsite with regular visits to farming, harvesting, packing, and distribution operations).

Salary

USD 100,000 - 200,000 per year

Work Location

In person

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Direct Reports: Controller; Grower Accounting; Payroll Manager; Accounts Payable/Receivable Staff; Administrative Finance Personnel

Success Measures (First 12 Months)

• Improve cash flow forecasting accuracy and working capital management.
• Strengthen financial controls and reporting processes.
• Develop comprehensive crop and customer profitability reporting.
• Support operational efficiency initiatives across farming and packing operations.
• Maintain strong lender and banking relationships.
• Deliver timely, accurate financial information that enables executive decision-making and sustainable growth.
• Develop and implement AI governance policies and procedures that support responsible adoption of artificial intelligence technologies across the organization.
• Identify and deploy AI and automation solutions that improve financial reporting efficiency, forecasting accuracy, operational visibility, and overall business performance.
• Establish key performance metrics to measure the ROI and operational impact of technology and AI initiatives.