David R. Grace, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Peabody-based Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., is stepping down effective Jan. 1, 2013 for health reasons.

The company said a national executive recruiting firm is conducting a search for his successor. Grace will remain in his current role until a new CFO is named and has also agreed to devote as much time as necessary to ensure a seamless transition, according to the company.

Grace has led Beacon’s financial organization and oversees information technology and investor relations. He joined the company as an accountant in 1987, when Beacon operated three branches, and served in positions of increasing responsibility until he was named CFO in 1997. He was most recently promoted to executive vice president on Jan.1, 2011.

Paul Isabella, the company’s president and CEO, said in a statement: “Throughout his 25-plus years of service to Beacon, Dave has been a key part of the company’s tremendous growth and success, including the completion of our 2004 IPO, a secondary offering in 2005, and many debt financings and acquisitions.”