Operating Partner, Testing, Inspection and Certification
United States, Hybrid (Remote and In Person), Contract
Testing, Inspection and Certification
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 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, and we bring in industry advisors with deep domain experience to support deal sourcing, due diligence, and sponsor engagement.
The Role
Operating Partners are senior operators who work alongside the Fireclay deal team on the transactions where their domain expertise decides the outcome. This is a per engagement consulting role, not full-time employment. Engagements typically run three to twelve months on a deal specific basis. We are selective about who we bring in, and we are currently engaging operators across the following subsectors:
- Certification bodies and management systems certification
- Environmental and analytical laboratories
- Food safety, pharmaceutical and life sciences testing
- Construction materials testing, geotechnical and infrastructure
- Nondestructive testing and industrial asset integrity
- Industrial hygiene, fire safety and building compliance
- Calibration, metrology and product testing
What You Will Do
- Provide market intelligence on bolt on targets, competitive landscape, and valuation context within your subsector
- Facilitate introductions to founders, family owners, and senior executives in your existing network
- Review confidential information memoranda and management presentations for sector specific operating fit and risk
- Assess the durability of a target's accreditation scope, technical staffing, and regulatory position as part of diligence
- Distinguish between recurring accredited work that renews and project work that ends when the capital cycle turns, and pressure test a target's revenue quality accordingly
- Participate in PE sponsor and strategic acquirer pitches when your subsector and operating background are relevant
- Provide operational due diligence input on target companies
- Advise the Fireclay team on positioning and messaging for sponsor outreach and sourcing campaigns
What We Are Looking For
- Laboratory Director, General Manager, VP of Operations, Division President, COO, or CEO at a testing, inspection or certification business, or Head of Corporate Development at a sector consolidator
- Fifteen years or more in the sector across multiple accredited locations, service lines, or end markets
- Working command of the accreditation environment, including ISO 17025, 17020 or 17065, and the state and federal programs that govern your subsector
- Direct experience with the operating dynamics that drive value in this sector, including utilization, turnaround time, scope expansion, multi site integration, and technical staff retention
- Familiarity with the ownership structures common to independent firms in this market, including ESOPs and small business and disadvantaged business certifications, and how each affects a transaction
- Existing network of relationships with founders, family owners, senior executives, and PE professionals across your subsector
- Comfort representing Fireclay professionally to PE sponsors, strategic acquirers, and target company management
- Discretion when handling nonpublic information and competitive intelligence
- Willingness to work on a flexible per engagement basis without fixed hours or commitments
Compensation
- 1099 independent contractor structure
- Per deal success fees on closed engagements where you contribute meaningfully
- Optional retainer for active sourcing assignments
- Equity participation available on select strategic engagements
- No fixed hours or minimum time commitment
Location
Remote. US or Canada based. Travel is minimal and deal specific.
How to Apply
Resume or LinkedIn URL
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.