CFO Compensation in the Consumer Sector

Today’s Consumer CFOs are expected to lead beyond the traditional finance function. They are now key players in supply chain strategy, pricing, digital transformation, and articulating the company’s financial story to investors and boards. With this expanded scope, ensuring competitive CFO compensation is essential for mitigating flight risk and ensuring the business continuity needed for maximum value creation.  

JM Search’s State of CFO Compensation in the Consumer Industry report provides the sector-specific, base salary and bonus compensation benchmarks you need to know, drawing on data from more than 100 Consumer CFOs. 

The study highlights several key findings: 

• Base salaries: Most Consumer CFOs (75%) earn between $250K and $399K, with a minority falling below or exceeding that range. 

• Incentive structure: Performance-based bonuses are a major component of total compensation. Nearly two-thirds of Consumer CFOs have target bonuses ranging from 40% to 60% of their base salary. 

• Sector variations: Base pay differs slightly across Consumer Services, Consumer Products, and Food & Beverage, but the majority still earn between $250K and $399K. 

• Bonus alignment: Target bonuses are largely consistent across industries and even within the Consumer sector this trend holds true. 

To unlock further Consumer-specific CFO insights, download the full report here.   

As the CFO role within the Consumer sector continues to expand into many operational aspects of the business, compensation must keep pace with growing expectations. Companies seeking CFOs who can lead beyond the balance sheet, shaping strategy and growth outside the finance function, can leverage the data to assess their position relative to peers, and adjust compensation proactively. In today’s environment, where CFO impact is mission-critical, competitive compensation has become an essential element of unlocking value creation.