Operating Partner, Industrial Distribution

Fireclay Partners•Kansas City, MO

1d•Remote

About The Position

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

Requirements

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.
A bachelor's degree and a strong record of professional achievement.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience with acquisitions, ownership transitions, diligence, or integration is strongly preferred.
Exceptional industry access and commercial results may also be relevant.
An MBA or relevant advanced degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

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.