M&A Integration Director
Job Title: M&A Integration Director SC
Reports to: VP M&A Integration
Function / Sub-Function: M&A
Location: UK (100VE)
Background:
Senior role within the newly formed M&A integration function which has been established to ensure maximisation of deal value through deal integration/separation in SC and related activities.
Main purpose of job:
Maximise value delivered from M&A activities by establishing a framework for successful integration/separation of Supply Chain and other operations, based on transaction size and level of complexity of required activities for integration.
Build processes to ensure delivery of integration objectives through cross-functional alignment in M&A execution.
Lead SC workstream on transactions.
Key accountabilities:
Due Diligence
Ensure a robust framework is defined and agreed with other functions defining how activities that are interdependent with Supply Chain will be assessed, particularly:
Finance – accelerate data availability through standardisation of templates promoting understanding of integration savings, inventory/WC implications, asset values, COGS – COGP
HR - people, training, knowledge transfer, recruitment
IT & Back Office – factory IT, planning systems, company codes
Develop methodology for Safety and Quality diligence including understanding cultural mindset of target
Develop methodology for diligence around planning strategies including service, working capital management and focus on business waste reduction
Standardise templates for VDR input and questions for bidding/bidder processes
Value Creation
Champion value creation thinking at every step of the transaction process through educating staff on key value creation/preservation levers in deals – focused on (but not limited to) supply chain (this to cover all stages of life-cycle: origination – execution)
Develop a methodology for ensuring a consistent approach to value creation to maximise value to the business from M&A, including:
Acquisitions / integrations
A process for diligence synergies / upsides and identifying and quantifying integration risks.
Ensure all NRI (once-off) costs are quantified and understood pre-deal and key stakeholders are bought-in (and incentivised) to deliver synergies / integrations to plan.
Robust financial synergy tracking tools put in place
Carve-outs
Ensure identified divestment opportunities undergo an internal process to consider “external value” of the asset – prior to engaging external support and prior to engaging prospective buyers. E.g. spare capacity, HOSI/recharges that will be removed, UL commitments that could be un-wound etc.
Ensure all value creation / upsides opportunities are robustly evidenced in the dataroom such that prospective buyers attribute value to them.
Create a “value creation stage gate” as part of the M&A governance process to ensure the above value is realised on every transaction.
Define a standard framework of activities requiring external support and negotiate rate cards for external services – ensuring buy-in from the Procurement organisation
Program Management
Co-own and sign-off synergy assumptions & upsides from value creation with the business and ensure programs and resources are in place on Day One to secure delivery against SMART targets
Ensure safety, quality and service-related gaps are understood and appropriate resources are secured to manage risks in the short term whilst investments/plans for full risk mitigation are installed in the mid to long term
Establish relevant governance framework to ensure timely delivery of SC deliverables
Implement course-correcting action plans if/when delivery is at risk
Directly lead SC activities in transactions where appropriate
Experience and qualifications required:
Minimum 10-15 years of experience including exposure to manufacturing / supply chain / operational roles
Of which 5-10 years M&A integration/separation experience would be a distinct advantage
Strong financial/analytical skills
Strong program management
Strong commercial/negotiating skills
Experience of dealing with external consultancies
Key interfaces
The role will require senior stakeholder management across business functions and transactional workstreams.
Unilever
