REASON FOR THE SEARCH
Auxo Investment Partners was seeking a Spanish-speaking CFO with expertise in manufacturing, tax reporting, cost accounting, and business case writing. Additionally, the firm needed someone with exit experience to navigate growth and provide strategic leadership.
THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM
Auxo Investment Partners is a private equity firm based in the United States, focused on investing in industrial growth companies. They target lower to mid-market businesses with annual revenues ranging from $20 million to $120 million. Specializing in founder- and family-owned businesses, Auxo focuses on sectors such as industrial manufacturing and business services. Their strategy involves partnering with management teams and providing operational expertise to maximize growth potential.
THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY
GSA Golden State Assembly Manufacturing Company is an industrial manufacturing company valued between $50 million to $100 million. The company employs around 200 to 250 staff and is known for its innovative manufacturing solutions. GSA specializes in design, engineering, and wire harness manufacturing, catering to a broad spectrum of order sizes. In addition to traditional manufacturing, the company offers value-added services like kitting, electromechanical assemblies, and outsourced quality control. GSA also has in-house machine shop and PCB assembly capabilities, which help reduce time-to-market and ensure superior product quality.
THE REQUIREMENTS
The ideal CFO candidate needed to meet these criteria:
- CFO experience (preferred)
- Exit experience (required)
- Expertise in process management
- Financial reporting experience
- Tax reporting experience
- Business case writing experience
- A general management mindset
- PE-backed experience (preferred)
- Strong problem-solving skills
WHY RAW SELECTION
Auxo Investment Partners initially worked with another recruiter, but the results were unsatisfactory, as the recruiter struggled to find suitable candidates. Raw Selection, however, excelled in communication, gathering feedback between both candidate and client. This ensured the process moved forward smoothly, ultimately resulting in a successful placement.
THE PROCESS
Raw Selection’s Managing Partner, Alex Rawlings, collaborated with Max Keenoy, the hiring manager at Auxo Investment Partners, to build a comprehensive profile of the company’s needs. Using Raw Selection’s extensive 15-step process, over 381 candidates were identified. After a rigorous evaluation, the shortlist was reduced to two top candidates. Within three days, the selected candidates were interviewed for culture fit, and Maarten Oostendorp emerged as the ideal candidate. He was then hired for the role.
RESULTS
Raw Selection successfully placed Maarten Oostendorp as the CFO for GSA Golden State Assembly Manufacturing Company. Maarten had extensive experience in the manufacturing sector and a strong background with Private Equity-backed companies, including a successful exit with his previous employer, Graham Partners.
THOUGHTS ON THE SEARCH
Auxo Investment Partners had initially worked with a different search firm, but the firm failed to produce any viable candidates. With their business growing rapidly, GSA Golden State Assembly needed a CFO who had a proven track record of success in Private Equity-backed environments. Raw Selection identified two excellent candidates, one of whom, Maarten, had completed a successful exit with his previous company, making him an ideal fit for the role.
Alex Rawlings, Managing Partner at Raw Selection
GET IN TOUCH
Raw Selection prides itself on its meticulous approach to talent research, ensuring the right candidate is found for every role. With a 100% success rate for retained clients and 96% of placed candidates still in their roles after 12 months, we’re committed to delivering top talent.
If you are looking for exceptional talent for your manufacturing portfolio company, contact Alex Rawlings today at alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.
