PER

About our client

Our client is a French food group which is backed by a major Private Equity fund and embarking on a new growth journey. Operating multiple factories, their products are sold via retail where it holds a leading market position, but it also has a growing presence in specialised distribution and export channels. Their objective is to become the pan-European leader in their field, leveraging a strong industrial base, a multi-channel approach, and a focus on both organic and acquisitive growth, with new subsidiaries being created throughout the continent.

The agenda targets mid-sized bolt-on acquisitions as well as transformative transactions across Europe with the end-goal of consolidating a fragmented market and further developing its portfolio and industrial capabilities. The company has secured a committed acquisition facility to finance its growth ambitions and is now looking for someone to lead its M&A activity from the firm’s headquarter in Paris.

What the job involves

• Identify and screen acquisition targets aligned with the Group strategy (sector segmentation, priority geographies, size criteria)
• Lead and expand the M&A network: investment banks, funds, accounting firms, and industry executives
• Perform preliminary financial analyses (valuation, accretion/dilution, financing capacity) to support internal decision-making
• Prepare investment memoranda and presentations for the Executive Committee and the shareholders
• Manage the entire transaction process, from LOI through to negotiating and signing SPA
• Monitor the delivery of synergies and post-closing business plan objectives

Who we are looking for

• First experience in investment banking, transaction services, or corporate M&A
• Strong financial acumen, including balance sheet analysis, familiarity with LBO debt structures, financial modelling, and a solid understanding of end-to-end M&A processes
• Exposure to the food sector (manufacturing, food distribution, or food-tech) would be a strong advantage
• Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French is beneficial. Any additional European language would be considered an asset