Connect Search, LLC · 1 week ago
Mergers and Acquisitions Associate
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$110K/yr - $130K/yr
2+ years expConnect Search, LLC is a privately held family office focused on acquiring and growing lower-middle-market manufacturing and industrial companies across North America. The M&A Associate will evaluate, execute, and support acquisitions of manufacturing businesses, working closely with senior investment professionals throughout the transaction lifecycle.
ConsultingHuman ResourcesStaffing Agency
Hiring Manager
Stephen Munsie
Responsibilities
Build and maintain detailed financial models (3-statement, cash flow, returns, and scenario analyses)
Analyze target company financials, quality of earnings, working capital, and capital expenditures
Prepare investment memos, valuation analyses, and acquisition recommendations
Support LOI negotiation, due diligence coordination, and transaction execution
Conduct deep-dive analysis of manufacturing subsectors (industrial products, engineered components, specialty manufacturing, value-added distribution)
Assess competitive positioning, customer concentration, supplier dynamics, and margin drivers
Evaluate operational improvement and value-creation opportunities
Coordinate with third-party advisors (accounting, legal, tax, environmental)
Review CIMs, data rooms, and diligence materials
Assist in structuring transactions, financing analyses, and lender interactions
Support integration planning and KPI tracking post-close
Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring for portfolio companies
Work with operating leaders on strategic initiatives and add-on acquisitions
Qualification
Required
2–4 years of experience in investment banking (M&A), private equity, corporate development, or transaction advisory
Strong financial modeling and valuation skills
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or related field
High attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to manage multiple workstreams
Preferred
Experience analyzing manufacturing, industrial, or asset-heavy businesses strongly preferred
Company
Connect Search, LLC
Connect Search, LLC is a boutique staffing firm founded by a group of partners who share the same vision and are all recruiters at heart.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Meade Kelley
Chief Operating Officer
Ben Hirsh
Partner | President, Direct Hire Placement & Connect Financial Consulting
Recent News
Business Journals
2022-03-22
2022-03-21
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