Director – Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Gloucester, UK | Hybrid Working | International Travel

Lead the transactions that shape our future.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Optimas, a private equity-backed international business, at an exciting stage of growth. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you'll lead our global inorganic growth strategy, identifying, evaluating and executing strategic acquisitions that strengthen our market position, expand our capabilities and create long-term value.

Working closely with the CEO, CFO, Board and Executive Leadership Team, you'll influence the future direction of our international business, leading complex cross-border transactions from opportunity through to integration and value realisation.

If you're a commercially astute M&A leader who thrives on strategic challenge and delivering transformational growth, we'd love to hear from you.

About Optimas International

Optimas International is a multinational distributor of integrated supply chain solutions and engineering support, delivering fasteners, components, industrial and safety supplies to customers around the world.

Operating across the UK, Europe and Asia, we combine global scale with local expertise to deliver innovative supply chain solutions and exceptional customer service.

Backed by private equity investment, Optimas has ambitious growth plans, with mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships playing a central role in accelerating our expansion and creating long-term shareholder value.

What you'll be doing

As Director of M&A, you'll lead the Group's corporate development agenda, taking ownership of the full transaction lifecycle from strategy through to integration.

You'll:

• Develop and execute Optimas' global M&A strategy in line with corporate growth objectives.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities across international markets.
• Lead market mapping, competitor analysis and target identification.
• Own end-to-end transaction delivery, including valuation, financial modelling, due diligence, negotiation and completion.
• Present investment recommendations and business cases to the Executive Team and Board.
• Lead post-acquisition integration planning to maximise value creation and deliver strategic objectives.
• Monitor synergy delivery, ROI and business performance following acquisitions.
• Manage external advisers, including investment banks, legal counsel, tax advisers and consultants.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the CFO, CEO and Board on corporate development opportunities and investment decisions.
• Support broader strategic planning and portfolio optimisation initiatives.

What we're looking for

You'll be an accomplished M&A professional with the commercial acumen, financial expertise and leadership capability to influence at the highest level.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience in M&A, Transaction Services, Corporate Finance, Deal Advisory, Investment Banking or Corporate Development.
• A proven track record of leading complex domestic and cross-border acquisitions.
• Experience delivering successful post-merger integration programmes.
• Advanced financial modelling, valuation and commercial analysis skills.
• Strong knowledge of transaction structuring and multi-jurisdictional deal execution.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Credibility and confidence working with Boards, investors and senior executives.
• Experience within manufacturing, industrial, engineering, distribution or supply chain sectors would be advantageous.

Why join Optimas International?

This is more than an M&A role; it's an opportunity to shape the future of a growing private equity-backed international organisation.

Reporting directly to the CFO, you'll have a genuine seat at the table, working alongside the Executive Leadership Team to deliver transformational acquisitions and strategic initiatives that drive long-term growth. You'll join a collaborative, ambitious organisation where your expertise will directly influence the future direction and success of the business.

We respectfully request that agencies do not submit unsolicited CVs.