Chief Financial Officer

WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS • Turner, OR

30d

About The Position

Join the Legacy- Willamette Valley Vineyards seeks a Chief Financial Officer.

Are you a strategic, financial leader with a passion for the wine industry and a commitment to team and company success?

Willamette Valley Vineyards is in search of an accomplished Chief Financial Officer to help shape the next chapter of our growth in the heart of Oregon wine country and beyond. This is a rare opportunity to join a team that is home to the number one tasting room in Oregon at one of the most respected wineries in the country. Our ideal candidate is an optimistic, visionary and collaborative leader to help guide the financial strategy behind all organizational departments, spanning across our vineyard, production, direct to consumer and hospitality operations, as well as our wholesale and distribution channels.

As CFO, you will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board, guiding the company’s financial strategy, overseeing compliance with SEC regulations, while ensuring excellence across all accounting and finance functions. Your leadership will strengthen financial systems and controls while mentoring a high performing team that supports a dynamic publicly traded company and business model built on estate grown wines, wine owner and club membership, immersive hospitality, and premium brand positioning.

This role requires both strategic perspective and operational expertise within the wine, culinary, and beverage sector. You will oversee financial planning across vineyard development, winery operations, inventory and barrel management, and capital investments while optimizing performance across direct to consumer, wine club and ownership, tasting room, and national distribution.

As a key steward of the company’s long term success, you will guide investments that expand vineyard assets, elevate guest experiences, strengthen consumer loyalty, and reinforce the brand’s leadership in a globally recognized wine region.
This is more than financial leadership, it is an opportunity to shape the future of an iconic winery and hospitality organization while honoring the founders Jim and Jan Bernau's legacy and dream of growing and making world-class wines while serving as stewards of the land, our employee families and communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or similar.
• Be an effective communicator at all levels in the organization, and especially have the ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, and visually strong narratives for our diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in a senior financial management role As a trusted advisor to senior leadership, the need to provide financial insights that drive strategic decisions, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term growth.
• Must have highly developed organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task, work independently and as part of a team. Be able to establish rapport across the organization, to help all leaders with decision-making and collaboration.
• Be able to build team dynamics and synergy across departments. Building partnerships between finance and other departments (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Operations).
• Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills, including the ability to lead teams and delegate tasks with effective follow-up.

Nice To Haves

• MBA and CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a financial strategy in line with company goals.
• Direct the annual budget process by working with department heads to establish financial targets.
• Complete audits, ensure financial compliance and meet legal reporting obligations.
• Investigate growth opportunities and take the lead in negotiations for mergers and acquisitions.
• Communicate financial performance and present reports to stakeholders, board directors and other members of the executive team.
• Manage and mentor the finance and accounting teams through strong leadership.
• Oversee monthly closing of all financials including balance sheet, income statement and cash flow.
• Review and improve internal controls over financial reporting to alleviate material weakness and improve processes.
• Ensure integrity of financial reports with the SEC including 10-Q and 10-K.
• Act as steward of physical assets including cash, inventory, property, plant and equipment. Ensure proper tracking and reporting of assets.
• Act as Company liaison on all audits and reviews by the Company’s independent audit firm, and as management liaison with the Audit Committee.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial reports for management reporting.
• Oversee all physical inventories, review and improve inventory costing process including workflow diagrams and documentation.
• Work closely with department managers on monthly financial reviews, internal controls and budget preparation making suggestions for business improvement.
• Ensure the Company maintains an acceptable cybersecurity posture and that policies and training are adequate to meet current standards and are PCI compliant.
• Coordinate with independent tax preparers for all income tax returns and income tax provision adjustments and serve as point of contact for all tax agencies.
• Ensure timely filing of all compliance related reports to regulatory and taxing agencies
• Review and improve cash handling and reconciliation process ensuring timely reconciliation of bank balances to general ledgers.
• Coordinate the development of the annual Company budget in collaboration with other managers.
• Ensure fixed asset spending is within approved budgets and follow Company policies.
• Oversee Company’s insurance program including determining requirements, competing and contracting with insurance brokers. Negotiate and obtain insurance coverage appropriate to the Company’s needs.
• Complete audits of internal controls and procedures and report on failures.
• Develop, maintain and report on trends in key performance metrics.
• Work directly with financial institutions regarding debt, merchant services, merchant card processing, and ensure compliance with financial covenants.
• Oversee the Company’s contracting function and ensure contracts adequately protect the Company’s interests.
• Supports Company’s effort to create a more sustainable and “green” environment to improve the company’s positive impact on the environment.
• Identify opportunities and challenges of individuals on the team,
• Ensures efficient levels of accounting support at critical times.
• Provide mentorship of staff and be responsible for developing talent and leadership within the Company.

Benefits

• Competitive health, dental, vision benefits, in addition to paid vacation and access to EAP
• An inclusive work environment committed to diversity
• Generous team member discounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive