Our client is an international non-profit organisation that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour. 

Based in New York, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, they work with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers.

The role:

The Vice President, Sustainable Markets will be responsible for increasing the market share of the company’s certified and verified products and services. They will manage the integration of the different market facing teams (Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Tourism market teams) across the organisation and lead the newly created unit.

They will set the strategies and oversee implementation of stakeholder outreach and management of relationships with companies buying they company’s certified goods.

This work will involve ongoing review of services offered to companies and potential development of new value offerings. 

This position will lead a global team of professionals responsible for cultivating and engaging new businesses as well as nurturing and managing relationships with existing businesses to facilitate the sourcing of increasing amounts of certified or verified products.

Skills: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, economics or related discipline
• 15 years of senior management experience in business/market development, international sales or supply chain management, eco labeling and/or campaign development and outreach, global account management in consumer goods, retail or travel
• Strong commercial skills, multiple product knowledge across varied lines of business; demonstrated success in high-value, business-to-business, solution selling
• Written and verbal proficiency in Spanish, French or other relevant foreign language preferred
• Solid understanding of social and environmental certification systems preferred and knowledge of the latest trends related to corporate social responsibility and sustainability; extensive knowledge of local business culture and markets
• Strong leadership skills; executive maturity and experience to manage and broker complex internal and external business discussions; experienced at managing diverse and distant teams in a matrix reporting environment
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally at a minimum of 30% of the time

Knowledge of and commitment to environmental issues and sustainability practices 

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. We will get back to you in 2-4 weeks with the status of your application.

NS643

LOCATION: Bloomingdale, IL

OUR CLIENT: Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone Americas’ corporate family (BSA) traces its roots to the establishment of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in August 1900. It was then that 31-year-old Harvey S. Firestone (1868-1938) started tire production with 12 employees in Akron, Ohio. On the other side of the globe in 1931, Shojiro Ishibashi (1885-1976) created Bridgestone Tire Company Ltd. (later renamed Bridgestone Corporation). He fashioned the company name by reversing the English translation of his own: “Ishibashi,” which literally means “stone bridge” in Japanese.

Bridgestone Corporation purchased Firestone in 1988 for $2.6 billion, transforming the companies’ combined operations into the world’s largest tire and rubber company. The operations in the Americas were renamed Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (BFS) and became the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone. As part of its integration with Bridgestone’s existing U.S. operations, Bridgestone/Firestone moved its headquarters from Akron to Nashville in 1992.

In an effort to enhance its core business units and to address its customers’ needs and wants, the company today does business in the Americas under a holding company structure in which Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSA) owns several operating units and subsidiaries, which includes the consumer and commercial tire businesses(including 2200 retail stores and thousands of independent dealers; building and industrial products; natural rubber; industrial fibers and textiles; the world’s largest tire retreading business; etc. Bridgestone Americas employs about 55,000 people in more than 15 countries around the globe.

• Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, the tire operating arm of Bridgestone Americas, includes the company’s Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. These businesses include tire manufacturing and wholesale and original equipment sales operations across a broad line of products, including consumer, commercial truck and bus, agricultural, and off road tires. Product development and research related to these businesses are also conducted here, and the company sells tires for passenger, light truck, truck, bus, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and kart applications through a variety of different outlets, including independent dealers, discount retailers, warehouse clubs and company-owned stores In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
• Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO), consists of a family of more than 2,200 company-owned vehicle service and tire locations across the United States, including Firestone Complete Auto Care™, Tires Plus™, ExpertTire™ and Wheel Works™ store locations.
• The company has international tire manufacturing and sales subsidiaries located in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Venezuela, with additional sales representation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Firestone Building Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is a leader in the commercial roofing business in the United States with revenues of nearly $1.4 billion. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, but with manufacturing facilities throughout the country, Firestone Building Products produces single-ply and asphalt-based roofing membranes, metal roofing panels, polyiso insulation and a full line of roofing accessories.
• Firestone Industrial Products, also a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is the world’s leading manufacturer of air springs for light, medium, and heavy-duty industrial applications. It has revenues of nearly $300 million, and facilities in the United States, Costa Rica, Brazil, Poland, China and a joint venture facility in India.
• Firestone Fibers and Textile Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has three manufacturing facilities that produce resins, nylon and a host of other fibers that are used in tires, nautical and automotive applications.
• Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC, parent of Firestone Liberia, traces its origins back to 1926 when The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company first established a natural rubber production facility in Liberia, West Africa. The company operates a 118,000-acre rubber growing and processing facility and employs more than 6,500 employees who harvest and process natural rubber and latex. After processing, the natural rubber is shipped to the United States and is used in the manufacture of tires. In 2008, this business began production of environmentally friendly Hevea wood, recovered from end-of-lifecycle rubber trees, for use in furniture, flooring, and other value-added applications
• Today, Bridgestone Americas consists of an international family of enterprises with more than 50 production facilities and more than 50,000 employees throughout the Americas. The parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, employs over 120,000 people.

POSITION SCOPE:

The Finance Manager Retail Operations plays a critical role in providing strategic decision support, financial guidance, and value added analysis for Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO). The position will report to the business CFO and work extensively with the retail senior leadership team, field operations, and HQ Finance team in support of the 2,200 company owned retail stores.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The key responsibilities include:

• Providing performance metric and value-added analysis for the Retail Operations business at a Zone/District/Store level.
• Identifying profitability opportunities, analyzing P&L trends within the business, and making recommendations for improved efficiencies and performance.
• Expanding financial disciplines, best practices and standards across the organization.
• Partnering with corporate and field teams to perform strategic operating and product/promotional financial reviews.
• Leading best in class analytics and building KPI reporting dashboards to focus performance improvements.
• Interacting extensively with the Retail Operations leadership team and becoming a ‘trusted advisor’ to the business.
• Liaising with the HQ Finance team.
• Mentoring and leading a team of Analysts.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 8-10 years of overall finance and accounting experience
• Extensive experience performing operational/field level analysis within a large global retail organization
• Advanced financial modeling and Excel skills
• Previous Retail industry experience is required

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function across all levels.
• Strong leader, manager, mentor and staff motivator
• Strategic thinker and a desire to add-value and drive results
• Must be team oriented and adaptable to business demands
• Demonstrated problem solving ability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA or MBA preferred

LD781

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

OUR CLIENT: Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone Americas’ corporate family (BSA) traces its roots to the establishment of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in August 1900. It was then that 31-year-old Harvey S. Firestone (1868-1938) started tire production with 12 employees in Akron, Ohio. On the other side of the globe in 1931, Shojiro Ishibashi (1885-1976) created Bridgestone Tire Company Ltd. (later renamed Bridgestone Corporation). He fashioned the company name by reversing the English translation of his own: “Ishibashi,” which literally means “stone bridge” in Japanese.

Bridgestone Corporation purchased Firestone in 1988 for $2.6 billion, transforming the companies’ combined operations into the world’s largest tire and rubber company. The operations in the Americas were renamed Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (BFS) and became the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone. As part of its integration with Bridgestone’s existing U.S. operations, Bridgestone/Firestone moved its headquarters from Akron to Nashville in 1992.

In an effort to enhance its core business units and to address its customers’ needs and wants, the company today does business in the Americas under a holding company structure in which Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSA) owns several operating units and subsidiaries, which includes the consumer and commercial tire businesses(including 2200 retail stores and thousands of independent dealers; building and industrial products; natural rubber; industrial fibers and textiles; the world’s largest tire retreading business; etc. Bridgestone Americas employs about 55,000 people in more than 15 countries around the globe.

• Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, the tire operating arm of Bridgestone Americas, includes the company’s Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. These businesses include tire manufacturing and wholesale and original equipment sales operations across a broad line of products, including consumer, commercial truck and bus, agricultural, and off road tires. Product development and research related to these businesses are also conducted here, and the company sells tires for passenger, light truck, truck, bus, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and kart applications through a variety of different outlets, including independent dealers, discount retailers, warehouse clubs and company-owned stores In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
• Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO), consists of a family of more than 2,200 company-owned vehicle service and tire locations across the United States, including Firestone Complete Auto Care™, Tires Plus™, ExpertTire™ and Wheel Works™ store locations. Firestone Complete Fleet Care™ operations are also part of BSRO. Bridgestone Americas also owns about over 200 commercial tire and service outlets.
• The company has international tire manufacturing and sales subsidiaries located in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Venezuela, with additional sales representation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Company also has a manufacturing facility and sales subsidiary in Canada.
• Firestone Building Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is a leader in the commercial roofing business in the United States with revenues of nearly $1.4 billion. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, but with manufacturing facilities throughout the country, Firestone Building Products produces single-ply and asphalt-based roofing membranes, metal roofing panels, polyiso insulation and a full line of roofing accessories. It operations are also international.
• Firestone Industrial Products, also a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is the world’s leading manufacturer of air springs for light, medium, and heavy-duty industrial applications. It has revenues of nearly $300 million, and facilities in the United States, Costa Rica, Brazil, Poland, China and a joint venture facility in India.
• Firestone Fibers and Textile Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has three manufacturing facilities that produce resins, nylon and a host of other fibers that are used in tires, nautical and automotive applications.
• Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC, parent of Firestone Liberia, traces its origins back to 1926 when The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company first established a natural rubber production facility in Liberia, West Africa. The company operates a 118,000-acre rubber growing and processing facility and employs more than 6,500 employees who harvest and process natural rubber and latex. After processing, the natural rubber is shipped to the United States and is used in the manufacture of tires. The latex is sold to third party North American manufacturers. In 2008, this business began production of environmentally friendly Hevea wood, recovered from end-of-lifecycle rubber trees, for use in furniture, flooring, and other value-added applications
• Today, Bridgestone Americas consists of an international family of enterprises with more than 50 production facilities and more than 50,000 employees throughout the Americas. The parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, employs over 120,000 people.

POSITION SCOPE:

The Director Financial Planning & Analysis will be directly responsible for all strategic planning, annual budgets, monthly forecast updates, executive reporting results variance analysis, and other business decision support analysis for Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO). The position will report to the business CFO and work extensively with the retail senior leadership team and HQ Finance team in support of the 2,200 company owned retail stores.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The key responsibilities of the Director Financial Planning & Analysis will include:

• Managing all budgeting, planning, and forecasting for the Retail Operations at a consolidated and functional level (including Stores, Operations, IT, Marketing, Real Estate).
• Overseeing the month-end close process, ensuring accurate and timely results.
• Reporting and variance analysis of monthly and quarterly results, strategic scenario planning, profitability and other business analysis.
• Reviewing processes and procedures and making recommendations for improved reporting and budgeting processes.
• Interacting extensively with the Retail Operations leadership team in development of key assumptions for budgets and forecasts and understanding performance metrics and business drivers.
• Leading best in class analytics and building KPI reporting dashboards to focus performance improvements.
• Partnering with leadership teams to provide strong analytic decision support and strategic recommendations across entire organization.
• Liaising with the HQ Finance team.
• Mentoring and leading a team of Analysts.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 8-10 years of overall budgeting, planning and financial analysis experience within a global, complex environment
• Advanced financial modeling and Excel skills
• Previous industry experience in a multi-unit retail organization is strongly preferred

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS:

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to liaise effectively across all levels
• Strong leader, manager, mentor and staff motivator
• Strategic thinker and a desire to add-value and drive results
• Must be team oriented
• Adaptable to business demands with demonstrated problem solving ability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA or MBA preferred

MX785

LOCATION: Nashville, TN

OUR CLIENT: Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone Americas’ corporate family (BSA) traces its roots to the establishment of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in August 1900. It was then that 31-year-old Harvey S. Firestone (1868-1938) started tire production with 12 employees in Akron, Ohio. On the other side of the globe in 1931, Shojiro Ishibashi (1885-1976) created Bridgestone Tire Company Ltd. (later renamed Bridgestone Corporation). He fashioned the company name by reversing the English translation of his own: “Ishibashi,” which literally means “stone bridge” in Japanese.

Bridgestone Corporation purchased Firestone in 1988 for $2.6 billion, transforming the companies’ combined operations into the world’s largest tire and rubber company. The operations in the Americas were renamed Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (BFS) and became the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone. As part of its integration with Bridgestone’s existing U.S. operations, Bridgestone/Firestone moved its headquarters from Akron to Nashville in 1992.

In an effort to enhance its core business units and to address its customers’ needs and wants, the company today does business in the Americas under a holding company structure in which Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSA) owns several operating units and subsidiaries, which includes the consumer and commercial tire businesses(including 2200 retail stores and thousands of independent dealers; building and industrial products; natural rubber; industrial fibers and textiles; the world’s largest tire retreading business; etc. Bridgestone Americas employs about 55,000 people in more than 15 countries around the globe.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, the tire operating arm of Bridgestone Americas, includes the company’s Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. These businesses include tire manufacturing and wholesale and original equipment sales operations across a broad line of products, including consumer, commercial truck and bus, agricultural, and off road tires. Product development and research related to these businesses are also conducted here, and the company sells tires for passenger, light truck, truck, bus, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and kart applications through a variety of different outlets, including independent dealers, discount retailers, warehouse clubs and company-owned stores In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO), consists of a family of more than 2,200 company-owned vehicle service and tire locations across the United States, including Firestone Complete Auto Care™, Tires Plus™, ExpertTire™ and Wheel Works™ store locations.

The company has international tire manufacturing and sales subsidiaries located in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Venezuela, with additional sales representation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Firestone Building Products, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is a leader in the commercial roofing business in the United States with revenues of nearly $1.4 billion. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, but with manufacturing facilities throughout the country, Firestone Building Products produces single-ply and asphalt-based roofing membranes, metal roofing panels, polyiso insulation and a full line of roofing accessories.

Firestone Industrial Products, also a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, is the world’s leading manufacturer of air springs for light, medium, and heavy-duty industrial applications. It has revenues of nearly $300 million, and facilities in the United States, Costa Rica, Brazil, Poland, China and a joint venture facility in India.

Firestone Fibers and Textile Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has three manufacturing facilities that produce resins, nylon and a host of other fibers that are used in tires, nautical and automotive applications.

Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC, parent of Firestone Liberia, traces its origins back to 1926 when The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company first established a natural rubber production facility in Liberia, West Africa. The company operates a 118,000-acre rubber growing and processing facility and employs more than 6,500 employees who harvest and process natural rubber and latex. After processing, the natural rubber is shipped to the United States and is used in the manufacture of tires. In 2008, this business began production of environmentally friendly Hevea wood, recovered from end-of-lifecycle rubber trees, for use in furniture, flooring, and other value-added applications

Today, Bridgestone Americas consists of an international family of enterprises with more than 50 production facilities and more than 50,000 employees throughout the Americas. The parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, employs over 120,000 people.

POSITION SCOPE:

Bridgestone Americas is in need of a Controller to work with the Consumer Tire Division of the corporation. The Consumer Tire Division includes the OEM and Replacement tire sales channels, an extensive network of Retail Stores, as well as a private label credit card company, CFNA. Working with the Corporate BATO Controller and the Division President, this role will oversee and lead the financial functions of this significant enterprise. This role is a perfect fit for someone looking for career advancement in a dynamic multi-national organization.

The ideal candidate for this role will be an experienced financial executive, with a solid track record for leading others, and a penchant for innovation and growth. In addition to traditional roles of ensuring fiscal control, due diligence, and regulatory compliance, the primary focus of this position will be to partner with the Division President and BATO Controller to develop and implement business strategies that secure the Consumer Division’s position as a market leader. We are seeking a well-balanced leader who is comfortable in strategic discussions at the executive level that involve the full scope of the organization. As such, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism. The incumbent must be a skilled mentor and capable of developing finance division teammates for future growth with the Company. He/she will report directly to the Corporate Controller, with a strong dotted line to the Division President. This position has three direct reports: Controller, Replacement/OE, Controller, Retail and Controller, CFNA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The key responsibilities for the Controller include:
• Serves as a strategic business partner to the president of the Consumer Tire Division.
• Collaboratively evaluate opportunities for business growth as well as cost control.
• Perform Due Diligence / risk & opportunity evaluations.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of financial policies, accounting principles, practices, procedures and controls for the maintenance of fiscal records and preparation of financial reports as required.
• Leads the financial functions, maintains fiscal records, establishes and maintains budgetary controls and procedures, financial infrastructure, and prepares financial reports for the organization in compliance with the company’s reporting requirements and operating procedures.
• Ensures financial results from operations are reported timely, accurately and in compliance with US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
• Drives process and system improvements around financial reporting and internal controls.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 15 years of professional work experience
• Over 5 years of experience leading a team of finance and accounting professionals
• Experience in financial reporting, analysis, month end closing and budgeting, forecasting and strategic financial planning
• Experience in a global company with operations in North and South America is a plus
• Knowledge of and experience with SAP is a plus
• Proficiency with MS Office applications

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS:

• Ability to mentor and build strong teams while effecting a positive culture change
• Proven leadership and organizational skills
• Good listener who can glean the value from various ideas
• Ability to manage others effectively while still keeping one foot in the analytical world
• Maintains and implements an innovative approach to solving problems
• Interested in growing with a world leader in their market
• Willing to consider relocation upon successful accomplishment in this role
• Strong convictions and very good emotional intelligence
• Ability to be adaptable and manage competing responsibilities and deadlines in a timely and efficient manner as an individual contributor and through your team
• Strong interpersonal skills (written and verbal) and able to manage conflict, adversity and negotiate resolution
• Candor and good ability to speak directly, even when posing a dissenting view
• Sense of urgency and a bias for action
• Very strong analytical & evaluation skills
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility quickly, honest & straightforward in approach
• Commitment to a team based environment and employee empowerment
• Proven ability to maintain integrity in a fast paced and challenging environment
• Ability to analyze and process high volumes of information; manage priorities

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Individuals new to Futurestep must register at our web site: www.futurestep.com

PE311