Director – Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Gloucester / Hybrid working, UK

About Optimas:

Optimas is a multinational distributor of integrated supply chain solutions, and engineering support focused on delivering fasteners, components, industrial and safety supplies to our diverse customers around the world. Our local, on-the-ground teams understand the nuances of every community we serve. This allows us to adapt with our customers and partners as needs evolve, leveraging our footprint to remain at your side while providing a highly personalised level of service and support no matter where you find yourself around the globe.

To learn more, please visit our website http://www.optimasinternational.com/

Job Purpose:

The Director of Mergers & Acquisitions will lead Optimas’ global inorganic growth agenda, identifying and executing acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships that accelerate growth, expand capabilities, and strengthen market position.

The role is accountable for the full transaction lifecycle from strategy development and target identification through execution, integration, and value realisation. Working closely with the CEO, CFO, Board and senior functional leaders, the post-holder will ensure disciplined capital deployment and sustainable long-term value creation across the Group.

Role of Department:

The Corporate Development function is responsible for supporting the Group’s strategic growth agenda through mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic partnerships, market analysis and portfolio optimisation. The function works cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Commercial, HR, IT and Legal teams to evaluate opportunities and execute strategic initiatives that enhance shareholder value.

• Geographic scope: Across the Optimas International Footprint in the UK, Europe and Asia
• International Travel: Frequent
• Stakeholders: Board, CEO, CFO, SLT, external advisors, sellers, investors, legal/tax partners
• Financial scope: Acquisition pipeline, valuation models, synergy tracking and transaction budgets
• Leadership scope: Matrix leadership of cross-functional deal and integration teams

Key Result Areas:

1. M&A Strategy & Pipeline Development

Develop and continuously refine the Group M&A strategy aligned to corporate growth objectives.

Build and maintain a robust, rolling acquisition pipeline across target markets.

Lead market mapping, competitor analysis, and target screening.

Deliver proactive market intelligence to Executive Leadership.

Partner with Senior Leadership to define investment criteria and strategic priorities.

2. Deal Execution (End-to-End Ownership)

Lead full transaction lifecycle including target approach, financial modelling, due diligence, risk assessment, and negotiation.

Ensure transactions are completed on time and within approved parameters

Deliver rigorous investment cases with clear risk/reward assessment

Coordinate external advisors (investment banks, legal, tax, consultants).

Present investment cases to Executive Committee and Board.

Lead SPA negotiations and transaction closing.

3. Integration & Value Realisation

Oversee post-merger integration planning from diligence stage onwards.

Ensure Day 1 readiness and 90/180/360-day integration planning

Track synergy delivery against approved business cases

Establish clear synergy targets (cost, revenue, operational, procurement).

Partner with functional leaders to ensure structured integration governance.

Monitor synergy delivery and ROI performance.

Support cultural integration and organisational alignment

Lead divestiture execution where required.

4. Financial & Risk Governance

Ensure disciplined capital allocation aligned with Group financial strategy.

Develop investment models, scenario analysis, and sensitivity testing.

Identify and manage transaction risks across international jurisdictions.

Maintain strong compliance and governance standards.

5. Stakeholder Management

Act as senior advisor to CEO, CFO, Board and SLT on inorganic growth.

Engage with key stakeholders as required.

Build strong relationships with target company executives.

Operate effectively across multi-country environments.

“The role holder will operate flexibly across strategic initiatives consistent with the scope and seniority of the position.”.

Additional Key Duties:

• Support enterprise strategic planning activities
• Contribute to Board presentations and investor materials where required
• Ensure high standards of governance, confidentiality and ethical conduct
• Coach and influence senior stakeholders across the organisation
• Develop strong external market networks
• Support integration-related change management initiatives

Success Measures:

• Development of qualified acquisition pipeline aligned to strategic priorities
• Successful completion of acquisitions within approved investment criteria
• Achievement of synergy and ROI targets
• Effective post-merger integration delivery
• Strong governance and risk management across transactions
• Positive stakeholder feedback from Board and Executive leadership

Knowledge, Training, Experience & Skills required:

Experience

• Demonstrable strategic experience in M&A, corporate development, investment banking, or private equity.
• Proven track record of leading cross-border transactions.
• Experience in logistics, manufacturing, supply chain, or industrial sectors preferred.
• Demonstrated post-merger integration leadership.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced financial modelling and valuation capability.
• Strong understanding of transaction structuring.
• Experience with multi-jurisdictional regulatory environments.
• Commercial acumen with operational awareness.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic thinker with strong business judgment.
• High credibility with Board-level stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and manage complexity.
• Resilient, discreet, and politically astute.

Lead the transactions that shape our future. As our M&A Director, you'll identify strategic opportunities, execute complex deals, and work alongside executive leadership to accelerate growth across our international business.

Optimas OE Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Optimas OE Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.