Principal - Industrials / Manufacturing

Position Title: Private Equity Principal - Manufacturing / IndustrialsLocation: Manhattan, NYFirm Overview:Join a middle-market private equity firm focused on control buyout investments with a strong emphasis on the industrials and manufacturing sectors. We provide strategic capital and hands-on operational expertise to unlock value in complex situations, including carve-outs, underperforming assets, and operationally intensive businesses.Our firm partners closely with management teams to drive growth, modernize operations, and deliver sustainable performance improvements across industrial subsectors such as engineered products, niche manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services.Position Summary:The Principal will play a senior leadership role in the origination, execution, and active management of investments, with a primary focus on industrial and manufacturing businesses. This individual will be expected to take end-to-end ownership of deal processes, contribute meaningfully to investment committee discussions, and lead value creation initiatives across the portfolio.The role requires a combination of deep private equity execution experience and strong operational acumen, particularly within manufacturing environments (e.g., lean initiatives, supply chain optimization, plant efficiency). The Principal will work closely with firm leadership and portfolio company executives to drive transformational outcomes and maximize investment returns.Key Responsibilities:Deal Origination & Execution:Proactively source and develop proprietary and intermediated investment opportunities within the industrials and manufacturing sectors.Lead all aspects of deal execution, including valuation, financial modeling, structuring, and negotiation.Drive investment theses grounded in sector expertise, including market dynamics, operational levers, and competitive positioning.Oversee comprehensive due diligence efforts, with particular emphasis on operational diligence (manufacturing processes, cost structures, supply chain, and capex requirements).Operational Value Creation:Lead the design and execution of value creation plans for portfolio companies, with a focus on manufacturing excellence and operational efficiency.Partner with management teams to implement initiatives such as lean manufacturing, pricing optimization, procurement savings, footprint rationalization, and working capital improvement.Support leadership teams in scaling operations, professionalizing processes, and executing strategic growth initiatives, including add-on acquisitions.Monitor performance against KPIs and adjust strategies to ensure achievement of investment objectives.Portfolio Management and Exits:Serve as a key point of contact for portfolio company leadership, providing strategic guidance and oversight at the board or observer level.Drive exit planning and execution, including positioning assets for sale, managing advisor relationships, and leading buyer interactions.Ensure disciplined capital allocation and risk management across the portfolio.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.8–12+ years of experience in private equity, with meaningful exposure to industrials and/or manufacturing investments.Demonstrated track record of leading transactions and driving operational improvements within portfolio companies.Strong understanding of manufacturing environments, including cost structures, production processes, and operational KPIs.Experience with complex situations such as carve-outs, turnarounds, or operationally intensive businesses is highly preferred.Proven leadership ability with experience mentoring junior team members and influencing senior stakeholders.Entrepreneurial, hands-on mindset with a high degree of accountability and ownership.Location:This role is based in Manhattan, NY. On-site presence is required four days a week, Monday through Thursday.Compensation:Competitive base salary, performance-based bonus, carried interest/equity participation, and a comprehensive benefits package.