1333 Interim Crisis CFO – Automotive – Czech Republic
About Our Client:
Our client is part of an international automotive manufacturing group with headquarters in Germany and a significant operational footprint in the Czech Republic. The business operates in a demanding plant environment where finance is expected to support not only reporting and compliance, but also day-to-day operational stability, management decision-making, and performance control. The site in scope is a mid-sized production operation with around 600 employees and annual revenues of roughly EUR 50 million to EUR 70 million.
The current requirement has arisen in a period of operational and financial pressure. The broader business focus is to stabilise first, then build from a stronger base. At local level, the finance function is under strain and needs experienced leadership to restore order, reinforce discipline, and give the plant management team better visibility and support.
The issues include cash flow pressure, inventory challenges, on-going audit, unreconciled balances, and a finance team that needs stronger guidance and more structure.
This is not a quiet maintenance role. It is a visible finance stabilisation mandate in the Czech Republic within an automotive manufacturing setting, suited to someone who is comfortable stepping into a live situation, taking ownership quickly, and helping a business regain control.
Project Description:
This mandate requires someone who can go well beyond routine finance supervision. The business needs a senior hands-on leader who understands what a pressured plant finance environment looks like and knows how to bring it back under control without losing time on theory. The core requirements are clear:
- Interim CFO or Crisis CFO mindset
- Strong automotive or industrial finance background
- Deep accounting and controlling capability
- Cash flow and inventory stabilisation experience
- Track record in backlog, clean-up, and control recovery
- Ability to lead a small team through pressure and uncertainty
- Confidence in a Czech operation within a German-headquartered group
- Credibility with both plant management and group stakeholders
Interim Manager Required Skills:
You are a senior hands-on finance leader, most likely a Finance Manager, Head of Finance, Plant Finance Lead, Interim CFO, or Crisis CFO with a proven record in automotive or industrial businesses where the finance function needed stabilising, not simply maintaining. You are used to stepping into imperfect environments, finding the real pressure points quickly, and taking practical decisions that improve control, discipline, and visibility.
This role will suit someone who combines technical finance depth with operational instinct. You need to be comfortable close to the plant, close to the team, and close to the real issues. The assignment calls for judgement, calmness, and resilience rather than polished corporate presentation.
- Strong finance leadership track record in automotive, manufacturing, or industrial operations.
- Excellent accounting and controlling skills, with the ability to challenge numbers and improve reliability fast.
- Experience in finance recovery, crisis stabilisation, audit backlog, or broken-process environments.
- Able to support plant leadership while also driving hands-on corrective action.
- Pragmatic, composed, direct, and credible under pressure.
- Comfortable working in a cross-border structure with local accountability and international reporting lines.
- Fluent Czech and strong English are a must.
Key Requirements:
Crisis management experience, Hands-on approach, Automotive Sector experience
Type of Assignment:
Interim
Scope of Interim Assignment:
Crisis Management, Operational Stabilization
Functional Area of the Interim Manager:
Finance
Location:
Czech Republic
Duration:
24 months
Start Date:
Why work with us?
CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.
What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.
With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.
As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.
