KRAVE is the original premium meat snack brand, founded in 2010 by Jon Sebastiani who was in search of a better-for-you high-protein snack when training for the NYC Marathon.  Unable to find one commercially available among a meat snacks category that was once dominated by conventional brands, KRAVE was founded to modernize the meat snacks category through culinary-inspired flavor profiles, premium protein sources, elevated claims, and a proprietary cook process that results in a distinctly tender eating experience.

 

Chef’s Cut was similarly an early pioneer within the better-for-you meat snacks category. Founded in 2012 by pro-golfer Dennis Riedel and his Chef looking for a healthy and delicious meat snack to enjoy while out on the golf course.  Riedel and Chef scaled the brand from the country club to every major retail channel, on a mission to deliver a ‘steakhouse quality experience, outside of the steakhouse’ at an approachable price point, with its thicker jerky cuts and traditional flavor profiles.  

 

Through acquisition, KRAVE and Chef’s Cut are now jointly owned and operated.  The combined portfolio represents premium, ultra-premium, and value segments within the meat snacks category – currently the fastest growing segment within total US snacking. KRAVE and Chef’s Cut’s stick and jerky offerings are available in 25,000+ stores nationwide, with key retailers that include Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Costco, Albertsons, Kroger, Meijer and more.

The VP of Finance will be a key strategic partner to the CEO and work closely with the broader leadership team and board of directors to drive impact and meaningful growth of the business. S/he will bring a thoughtful, strategic mindset that focuses on architecting a roadmap for success, with a tight focus on growth and profitability. The VP of Finance will be a strong functional leader while also engaging and contributing to the operational and commercial sides of the business. Operationally, s/he will play an important role in driving optimization and efficiency as it relates to co-manufacture partnerships, inventory planning, packaging, labor and beyond while commercially, will have a deep grasp of go-to-market and customer economics within an omni-channel environment. S/he will report into the CEO and will be responsible for all finance and accounting functions.  This is a remote role, however with preference for s/he to be based in Austin, TX.

Lead all aspects of Finance including Financial Planning & Analysis and day-to-day accounting

This includes financial management of the company across planning, reporting, accounting, cash management, banking, insurance, internal controls, tax and office administration

Partner closely with the CEO and the Sales, Marketing, Operations and Quality teams to drive both commercial success and to make certain the business is operating according to plan on a daily basis

Provide leadership to the finance and accounting team, ensuring the team is properly organized, staffed, developed and motivated

Lead the annual operating plan, 3–5-year business plan and general strategic planning in partnership with the CEO and the private equity sponsor

Incorporate a data-centric approach and cultivate a greater focus on metrics, KPIs and measurement against them

Prepare weekly and monthly internal and external reporting packages, lender reporting, quarterly board meetings, etc.

Manage corporate administration processes and third-party relationships/functions, including bank, insurance, audit, legal and regulatory compliance

Complete timely and acceptable annual audit

Prior banking and/or private equity experience preferred

Branded consumer products experience preferred, particularly in food and beverage

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Marketing or Engineering; MBA preferred

Experience operating as a strong business partner to CEO and management team within a high-growth, omni-channel, consumer goods business

Track record of partnering closely with Ops and Commercial teams, experience working with 3PLs and co-manufacturers preferred

Deep understanding of trade spend management, preferably within food and beverage

Deep understanding of cost accounting (COGS builds and optimization)

Effectively operates at a macro and micro level – strategic capabilities while able to roll up his/her sleeves to dig into the details of the work

Deep analytical capabilities and experience developing strong financial and managerial reporting processes to drive and improve operating performance

Strong bias toward action and ability to execute in a high growth, dynamic environment

Hands-on leader, able to interact effectively up and down and down an organization

Deep collaboration capabilities, with experience managing multiple stakeholders to drive impact

Experience working closely with an active board and PE shareholders