Operating Partner, Industrial Distribution

Operating Partner, Industrial Distribution United States | Remote | Contract Industrial Distribution, Fluid Power and Motion Control About Fireclay Partners Fireclay Partners is a veteran owned middle market M&A and buy side advisory firm based in Kansas City. We serve private equity sponsors, strategic acquirers, and family-owned businesses on platform sourcing, bolt-on acquisitions, and select sell-side mandates. Our model pairs investment banking execution with senior operating expertise. The Role Fireclay Partners is seeking an Operating Partner with established relationships and executive experience in industrial distribution. You will help originate acquisition opportunities, make credible introductions to business owners, and support our deal team across client engagements in the sector. The primary focus is business development and acquisition sourcing. We are looking for someone who knows the owners and decision makers, understands their businesses, and can open a substantive conversation. Your operating experience will also inform target assessment, diligence, and transaction execution where relevant. This is a flexible consulting engagement structured on an independent contractor basis. Relevant subsectors include: • Hydraulic and pneumatic components, fluid power systems, and motion control • Industrial and hydraulic hose, fittings, tubing, connectors, and related services • Pumps, valves, filtration, seals, gaskets, and process instrumentation • Industrial automation, electromechanical products, and engineered distribution • Value-added assembly, repair, field service, and industrial aftermarket support What You Will Do • Identify acquisition targets and develop relationships with founders, family owners, executives, and other decision makers at independent and regional distributors. • Facilitate warm introductions and help establish the trust needed for confidential discussions about ownership transitions, growth partnerships, and acquisitions. • Help define acquisition criteria, map markets, and prioritize targets based on product mix, geography, supplier relationships, and strategic fit. • Contribute market intelligence and qualify opportunities before the deal team invests in a transaction process. • Evaluate manufacturer authorizations, territory coverage, customer concentration, OEM versus aftermarket demand, branch economics, and the durability of service revenue. • Support commercial and operational diligence, including gross margins, supplier rebates, inventory quality, working capital, technical capabilities, and management depth. • Participate in owner meetings, client discussions, and transaction workstreams where your relationships and experience can help advance an engagement. • Advise on integration opportunities, cross-selling, purchasing, branch networks, and retention of key supplier and customer relationships. What We Are Looking For • Experience as a CEO, President, COO, division leader, senior commercial executive, or corporate development leader at an established industrial distributor or closely related business. • Fifteen years or more of relevant sector experience, with meaningful responsibility for a business, P&L, commercial organization, or acquisition program. • An active, credible network of owners and senior decision makers across industrial distribution, especially fluid power, motion control, hose and fittings, and adjacent technical product categories. • A demonstrated ability to turn relationships into substantive commercial opportunities, partnerships, or acquisition discussions. • Direct knowledge of distributor economics, manufacturer channel relationships, value-added services, and the factors that make a business an attractive acquisition. • Experience with acquisitions, ownership transitions, diligence, or integration is strongly preferred. Exceptional industry access and commercial results may also be relevant. • A bachelor's degree and a strong record of professional achievement; an MBA or relevant advanced degree is a plus. • Sound judgment, discretion with confidential information, and the ability to represent Fireclay professionally with business owners, sponsors, and strategic acquirers. • Ability to work independently and follow through on introductions, commitments, and agreed engagement priorities. Compensation 1099 independent contractor structure with performance-based compensation tied to agreed contributions and completed engagements. Specific terms are discussed individually. Engagement scope and time commitments are agreed in advance. Location Remote within the United States, with occasional travel for owner meetings, client discussions, or diligence. Fireclay Partners is based in Kansas City, Missouri. How to Apply Submit your resume or LinkedIn profile through this application, highlighting your executive responsibilities, industrial distribution relationships, and relevant acquisition or business development experience. Fireclay Partners is a veteran owned and operated firm and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.