Position Overview:
As a Manager for Growth Projects, you will play a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives within our distribution business. Your responsibilities will span various areas, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) diligence and integration, greenfield development of new facilities, and enhancing the capabilities of our distribution network. You will play a pivotal role in orchestrating cross-functional teams, ensuring synergy, and driving successful implementations that maximize value for the organization.
In this role, you’ll lead M&A diligence efforts, assessing potential acquisition targets, evaluating their financial health, operational efficiency, and cultural fit. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration post-acquisition, identifying synergies, managing risks, and optimizing processes. Your ability to navigate complex negotiations and align business objectives will be critical to our growth strategy.
Also, as part of our expansion plans, you’ll oversee the establishment of new distribution facilities from the ground up. This involves site selection, design, permitting, and construction management. Additionally, you’ll drive projects aimed at enhancing our distribution network’s efficiency, scalability, and technological capabilities. Your project management expertise will be essential in delivering successful outcomes and positioning our business for sustained growth.
Company Overview
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Wilsonart is a world leading manufacturer and distributor of engineered surfaces with approximately $1.4b in annual revenue and a global workforce of more than 4,500. Wilsonart surfaces are used in the office, education, healthcare, residential, hospitality and retail markets. Wilsonart, operating under the Wilsonart®, Resopal®, Polyrey®, Arborite®, Laminart®, Bushboard™, Mermaid™, Shore®, Ralph Wilson®, KML®, NewLeaf®, Wetwall®, Durcon® and Technistone® brands, manufactures and distributes High Pressure Laminate, Quartz, Solid Surface, Coordinated TFL and Edgebanding and other engineered surface options. Wilsonart does business in more than 100 countries with manufacturing operations in North America, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Czech Republic.
Positioned for Future Growth
An extensive global manufacturing footprint, state-of-the-art process technologies, and scalable Global distribution capabilities provide a meaningful competitive advantage with excellent brand recognition and a reputation for product innovation and superior service which allow for strong and stable margin performance and robust cash flow conversion. We have a strong company culture and an extremely talented employee base as well as a dedicated and invested core Executive Leadership Team.
Our History
For more than 60 years, Wilsonart has honored our founders' promise to provide our customers with industry-leading products and service. In November 2012, Wilsonart became a new, independent company when Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ("CD&R") and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) completed a transaction for the sale of ITW's Decorative Surfaces business unit. CD&R acquired a majority stake in the new freestanding business and ITW retained an ongoing ownership stake.
Founded in 1978, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private equity firm with an investment strategy predicated on producing financial returns through building stronger, more profitable businesses. The Firm’s partners and advisors include a combination of skilled investment decision-makers and seasoned corporate leaders from major global enterprises. Since inception, CD&R has managed the investment of more than $18 billion in 56 businesses with an aggregate transaction value of approximately $90 billion. The Firm has offices in New York and London. For more information, please visit http://www.cdr-inc.com/.
Our Mission and Values
Wilsonart is driven by a mission to create surfaces people love, with service you can count on, delivered by people who care. Wilsonart is driven by providing beautiful, hard-working, on-trend and high performing engineered surfaces for whatever you need to cover. For decades, our companies worldwide have given designers and builders the right tools for the job, no matter how specialized. Today, we bring you a portfolio of solutions, both decorative and functional, that spans retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, office, and institutional applications.
Service You Can Count On.
Wilsonart is dedicated to getting our customers what they want, when and how they want it. From a North American fleet of trucks, to strategically located distribution centers around the world, we can service the globe with our expanding range of products and services.
People Who Care.
Over 4,500 people strong, Wilsonart is made up of dedicated people who care about doing the right thing, every day. Whether it’s making a flawless sheet of high-pressure laminate, volunteering at a community house raising or sourcing sustainable materials, Wilsonart people care deeply about what they do, who they do it for, and how they do it.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Planning and Strategy:
- Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, and strategies for successful M&A integrations.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to define project objectives, scope, and deliverables.
- Conduct thorough risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to address potential challenges.
Cross-functional Coordination:
- Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between various departments, including finance, legal, HR, IT, and operations.
- Coordinate with external advisors, consultants, and legal teams to ensure alignment with integration goals and regulatory compliance.
Integration Execution:
- Lead the execution of integration plans, overseeing all aspects of the process from due diligence to post-merger integration.
- Monitor project progress, identify roadblocks, and implement corrective actions to keep projects on track.
- Manage resources effectively to optimize project outcomes within budgetary constraints.
Change Management:
- Develop and implement change management strategies to minimize disruption and maximize employee engagement during the integration process.
- Identify potential cultural differences between merging entities and develop strategies to foster a cohesive organizational culture.
Stakeholder Management:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status, milestones, and key decisions.
- Proactively address stakeholder concerns and manage expectations throughout the integration process.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of integration plans, processes, and outcomes.
- Prepare regular progress reports and presentations for senior leadership, highlighting achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Strong understanding of M&A principles, including due diligence, integration planning, and synergy realization.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Exceptional problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to managing risks and uncertainties.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities, with a track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams in dynamic environments.
- Proficiency in project management tools and software.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree Required in Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be accepted. MBA or PMP Certification is preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
- Proven experience of 5+ years in project management, with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, or other complex organizational changes.
-
Experience in the building materials industry is a plus.
LOCATION: Qualified candidates can sit in any major city that is within a commutable distance to a major airport.
WORKING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sitting in the same location of standing/walking; required to stoop, climb, or lift light material (10-20lbs) or equipment.
ENVIRONMENT:
Located in an indoor area with frequent exposure to mild physical discomfort from dust, fumes, temperature extremes, loud noises, and bright lights. Examples: mail clerks, material handlers and food service workers
