Description We are searching for a highly skilled Small Business Consultant to partner with a growing business on a project-basis. The company operates as an importer/distributor with minimal manufacturing, serving retailers and ecommerce outlets. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of business process analysis and operational expertise, financial acumen, and strategic thinking to evaluate, establish, and optimize core business processes while maintaining a holistic view of interdepartmental coherence. This role will serve as a trusted advisor to the business owners, helping them align operational processes with their strategic objectives and improve profitability across all functions. Candidates with a proven track record of streamlining processes, enhancing sales and product profitability, and implementing business improvements are encouraged to apply. Role and Responsibilities: Strategic Evaluation and Recommendations: + Conduct a thorough evaluation of the current business state, identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. + Collaborate with ownership to understand their objectives and vision for the business. + Provide guidance informed by previous experience: “This is what I did over here,” offering actionable insights tailored to the company’s unique needs. Business Process Development: + Formalize and streamline existing processes across all departments (operations, sales, inventory, and accounting). + In collaboration with executives, Develop a clear roadmap to transition from the current state to the desired future state, ensuring alignment with goals. + Design and Document core business processes or redesign/optimize existing ones. Product Management and Profitability Analysis: + Perform sales profitability analysis to determine which products generate the highest margins or returns. + Organize the existing product portfolio and identify opportunities for growth by emphasizing profitable or high-potential items. Inventory Management and Forecasting: + Analyze current inventory processes and implement best practices to enhance forecasting accuracy and improve inventory turnover. + Advise on systems or approaches to ensure inventory meets demand without overstocking or tying up cash flow unnecessarily. Interdepartmental Alignment: + Promote cohesion among departments by establishing shared goals, clear communication channels, and efficient workflows. + Develop cross-functional processes that bring operations, sales, and accounting functions into alignment. Software Utilization: + Leverage tools like Excel and QuickBooks to build dashboards, improve financial visibility, and streamline data management. + Recommend additional software solutions (if needed) to support growth and scalability. Requirements + Proven business analysis and operations experience, particularly with distribution, import/export, or retail. + Strong financial acumen: ability to analyze sales data, profitability metrics, and overall business finances. + Experience working with businesses operating on digital retail platforms such as Amazon and partnering with large retailers like Home Goods. + Deep knowledge of inventory management and forecasting for an import/distribution business model. + Proficiency in Excel and QuickBooks; familiarity with creating reports and tracking KPIs. + Prior experience in identifying, documenting, and mapping optimized business processes. + Excellent communication skills and an ability to build trust and rapport with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) .