Casa Nela is a New York hospitality company that operates three popular Greenwich Village restaurants: Bobo, Rosemary’s and Claudette. 

Description of Position

The Casa Nela Director of Finance will be responsible to ownership for ensuring the integrity of financial data and working with operational managers to maximize each restaurant’s financial performance by providing accurate and appropriate management and financial accounting reports on a timely basis. The Finance Director will be responsible for building a team and creating a financial structure for the organization. 

More specifically, the Director of Finance will oversee:

ACCOUNTING

Core Accounting Functions

• Ensure all AP, AR and Payroll tasks are handled accurately and in a timely matter
• Reconcile all accounts (Operating, investments and credit card accounts)
• Manage month end inventory adjustments and labor accruals
• Verify accuracy of monthly financials, review all necessary accounting entries
•  Prepare comparison reports
• Oversee and manage bonus program
• Represent company at audits (e.g. Sales tax, Worker’s Comp)
• Ensure all taxes due are paid on a timely basis

Financial Performance

•  Prepare and review monthly financials w/GMs & Ownership
• Prepare investor financials
• Oversee the preparation of Management Accounting reports and ensure the accuracy of source data and reporting
• Food cost (incl. variance reports) (weekly)
• Beverage cost (w)
• Labor cost (w)
• Cost BOH Schedules (w)

Record keeping

• Ensuring all legally required documentation is maintained (e.g. payroll records, tax records, etc…)

FINANCE

Financial planning

• Annual Budgeting
• Cash flow planning (particularly during construction periods)
• Financial analysis of new restaurant ventures
• Assist in securing funds for expansion (e.g. debt financing) 
• Assist operational managers in improving financial performance
• Train new managers on operational practices having a financial impact (e.g. petty cash accounting, tips sheets, payroll, coding invoices, DSR, etc…) 
• Coach and develop the Operations team to generate improvement in profitability through raising financial awareness and competencies
• Monitor pricing variations on food and beverage purchases
• Present weekly COGS and Labor reports, discuss implications w/Owner, GMs and Exec Chefs/CDCs
• Analyze sales trends (dayparts, menu categories, PPAs, etc..) and present recommendations
• Analyze actual versus budget, highlighting and strategizing solutions for areas of oppportunity
• Help ensure better purchasing beyond prime cost items (Utilities, credit cards, worker’s comp, insurance, etc…  

BUSINESS AFFAIRS

Ensuring “administrative” legal matters are handled in a timely manner:

• Establishing and maintaining business licenses (incl. liquor licenses)
• Maintaining current investor paperwork and communication
• Interface w/ HR regarding benefits 

SYSTEMS/ IT

Assist in setting up new Restaurants and monitoring function and integrity of existing systems

• Setup of Accounting/Micros links
• Setup of Avero
• Training of managers on financial best practices and standard operating procedures

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Assisting in the generation, analysis and execution of new business opportunities

• Assisting with deal structure
• Leading negotiations with landlords, developers and capital partners
• Developing financial models, marketing materials
• Developing sources of capital
• Developing and managing pre-opening budgets

Why work with Casa nela?

• Opportunity to be the lead finance function for a growing organization with clear upward trajectory. As the company grows this will turn into a VP Finance/CFO role. 
• Working with an even-keeled ownership that has a reputation of empowering and supporting their employees. No ego / tempered culture, a refreshing change in the industry. 
• Join a growing restaurant organization that has a track record of success within a niche. 
• Exciting group of dynamic professionals make it a fun place to work. 
• Competitive pay and benefits with the complete support of a well tenured team.

Reporting Structure

The Director of Finance will report to Carlos Suarez, Owner.

ABOUT the talent

Casa Nela has attracted top talent across the board, most of whom have been promoted into roles as soon as they were ready for them. This speaks to the type of talent they hire and the support system for career growth/learning.. 

qualifications

•  4 year accounting/finance degree from an accredited university; MBA preferred
• Accounting experience in restaurants or hotels highly preferred
• Adept at planning, organizing and controlling complex processes as well as analyzing financial information and formulating conclusions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of POS system (Micros), Compeat/other accounting/enterprise software and Avero
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities and projects
• Ability to produce a high volume of work in a timely manner, which is accurate, complete, and of high quality.
• Passion for the concept, cuisine and success of the brand in the given market.
• The ideal candidate will be decisive and persuasive but not be an “ego” driven individual. The person will need to lead by example and be “hands on”  with the ability to see the big picture.
• The successful candidate will be a natural leader whose strengths and style complement the existing team. S/he will be a respected employee of the highest integrity and a leader who can positively affect the culture, external image, and inspire performance.

Interested in learning more or know the right person? Email mandeep@hhcsearch.com

about the founder

Carlos Suarez is the Founder of Casa Nela, a hospitality company that operates the New York restaurants Bobo, Rosemary's and Claudette. Born in London to an English mother and Cuban father, Carlos grew up surrounded by a passion for food at home. However, it was his arrival at British boarding school at age nine that forged a life defining relationship with food. Thrown into a world of stodgy English cooking and unfamiliar accents, suddenly home cooked meals amidst the love and familiarity of the kitchen table took on exponentially new meaning.

The son of an entrepreneur, Carlos always intended to follow in his father's footsteps, prompting his decision to attend the Wharton School as an undergraduate. However, after nine years of English schooling, Carlos again found himself the outsider. At his father's suggestion he sought out South Philly's Italian market and began hosting dinner parties; ultimately realizing the power of food to bring people together. 

While Carlos initially embarked on a career in finance, it wasn't long before he decided to pursue his true passion. Starting as a reservationist at Blue Fin at the W Hotel Times Square, Carlos subsequently worked his way into the management ranks of BRGuest, learning alongside the many talented GM's and Chefs of the group's diverse New York holdings.

After several years of training, Carlos set out on his own, opening the West Village restaurant, Bobo, in 2007, followed by Rosemary's and its rooftop farm in 2012, and the Provencal hit Claudette in 2014. While each of the restaurants is distinctly unique, they all express Carlos' passion for food and the comfort of home.

In 2014 Carlos created the management company Casa Nela to operate his restaurants and to develop new hospitality, hotel and agricultural businesses. While actively developing new businesses, including Rosemary's Tokyo, Carlos is focused on positioning Casa Nela as a premier employer in the industry, providing training, career development and ownership opportunities for his growing team.

instant interview

If you are excited about the position and know that you are right for the role, the easiest way to get to the top of the list is to submit a video interview. By clicking on the link below, you will be taken to a series of questions that will take less than 15 minutes to complete. It is a great way to stand out beyond your resume!

Up to $500 for referrals!

If you are not interested in this particular role but have people in your network that could be a good fit, we would love to help them. For any person we place at any of our clients that you refer to us, we send you a check for $500.

Each person is limited to only 3 referrals maximum so please only refer your best and help continue to build the best culinary network.