Mergers and Acquisitions Specialist

I am partnering with a growing global food manufacturing organization that is expanding its presence across North America through strategic acquisitions. As part of this growth, the company is looking to add an M&A Integration Specialist to support both the transaction process and the successful integration of newly acquired businesses.This role sits within the Americas M&A and Transformation team and works closely with senior leadership across finance, operations, procurement, R&D, and commercial teams. The position provides exposure to the entire M&A lifecycle, from deal evaluation and financial analysis through post-acquisition integration and operational improvement.Unlike traditional finance-only roles, this position requires someone who enjoys spending time in manufacturing environments, working directly with operating teams to help drive integration, efficiency, and long-term value creation.Key ResponsibilitiesM&A Transaction SupportAssist in the end-to-end execution of acquisitions within the food ingredients and food manufacturing sectorsConduct financial modeling, valuation analysis, and business case developmentSupport due diligence efforts across financial, operational, and commercial areasIdentify and assess potential risks during the transaction processCoordinate with external advisors, including investment banks, legal advisors, tax specialists, and transaction service providersPrepare investment materials, financial presentations, and internal documentation for leadership reviewSupport the negotiation process and documentation during deal executionTypical deal activity includes approximately two acquisitions per year.Post-Merger Integration & Value CreationAssist in planning and executing integration initiatives for newly acquired businessesWork alongside operational leadership to support manufacturing performance improvements, procurement efficiencies, pricing strategy, and margin enhancementAnalyze operational and financial performance to identify value creation opportunitiesTrack integration milestones and report progress to leadershipParticipate in short- to mid-term onsite assignments at acquired manufacturing facilitiesStrategic & Operational ProjectsConduct strategic and operational performance analysis across the businessSupport cost optimization initiatives and procurement synergiesAssist with manufacturing footprint and capacity planning analysisContribute to the implementation of best practices across multiple production facilitiesExperienceApproximately 3 years of experience in one of the following areas:Investment Banking (M&A)Transaction ServicesPrivate EquityCorporate DevelopmentExperience working on completed M&A transactionsExposure to manufacturing, food production, or industrial businesses is strongly preferredExperience supporting post-merger integration or operational improvement initiatives is highly valuedSkills & MindsetStrong financial modeling and analytical capabilitiesUnderstanding of manufacturing operations and cost structuresAdvanced proficiency in Excel and strong PowerPoint presentation skillsHands-on, practical, and solution-oriented approachComfortable working with both executive leadership and plant-level teamsHighly curious, adaptable, and eager to learnWillingness to travel approximately 30%, including visits to manufacturing facilitiesAdditional InformationLocation: Oak Brook, IllinoisTravel: Approximately 30% travel across North AmericaOpportunity to work directly on strategic acquisitions within a rapidly growing global food manufacturing organization