THE REASON FOR THE SEARCH

I Love Produce, a Private Equity-backed importer, distributor, marketer, and processor of fresh and processed produce, required a Controller to professionalize and elevate its finance function during a period of significant growth. Following the appointment of a new CFO, the business identified the need for a stronger accounting leader capable of implementing structure, improving financial controls, and supporting an aggressive acquisition strategy. The existing Controller had helped build the business before Private Equity ownership but the finance function had not evolved sufficiently to support a platform business targeting rapid expansion.

THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

Promise Holdings

THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

Founded in 2003, I Love Produce is a leading importer, distributor, marketer, and processor of fresh and processed produce, supplying wholesale distributors, foodservice providers, retailers, and food manufacturers across North America. The company specializes in products including garlic, ginger, and shallots, alongside value-added processed formats for retail and foodservice customers.

Backed by Private Equity since 2023, the business has grown to approximately $100M in revenue and is pursuing an aggressive M&A strategy, with ambitions to reach $300M+ in revenue over the coming years. Operating across the United States, Canada, Peru, and expanding into Mexico, the business is focused on building a scalable finance infrastructure capable of supporting continued acquisitions and organic growth.

THE SEARCH REQUIREMENTS

• CPA qualified.
• 10+ years of accounting and finance leadership experience.
• Experience within $75M+ revenue businesses.
• Strong inventory accounting and supply chain finance experience.
• Food, beverage, produce, distribution, or inventory-driven industry background preferred.
• Private Equity-backed experience preferred.
• NetSuite ERP experience preferred.
• M&A integration experience highly desirable.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• Ability to build SOPs, strengthen financial controls, and improve reporting quality.
• Strategic, commercially minded finance leader capable of partnering with executive leadership.
• International operations exposure preferred.
• Spanish language skills preferred.

CHALLENGES

The business was experiencing rapid growth through acquisitions while operating with an underdeveloped finance infrastructure. Data integrity issues, inconsistent financial controls, and a lack of standardized operating procedures created significant operational challenges. The incoming Controller needed to improve month-end reporting, establish scalable accounting processes, integrate acquired businesses, and mentor a developing finance team, all while supporting an ambitious growth strategy in a fast-paced Private Equity environment.

THOUGHTS ON THE CANDIDATE

"Mary Ward demonstrated an exceptional combination of technical accounting expertise and commercial leadership. Their background within inventory-intensive, multi-site businesses and experience professionalising finance functions made them an excellent fit for I Love Produce's growth journey. They possessed the ability to build structure, improve financial reporting, mentor developing teams, and partner strategically with leadership during an active acquisition phase."

Joseph Warwick, Associate

 

GET IN TOUCH

To secure exceptional finance leadership talent for your portfolio company, please reach out to Alex Rawlings, Founder & Managing Partner at Raw Selection.

Alex.Rawlings@Raw-Selection.com