Investment Analyst - Grand Rapids

Blackford Capital is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based private equity investment firm that acquires, manages and builds value in lower middle market manufacturing, distribution and consumer product companies. Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital has established a history of value creation for our investors and management teams.

The purpose of the job is to ensure Blackford Capital has a steady flow a qualified deals that support their growth and strategic plan expectations. The position will engage across all functions of the firm and will have exposure to the entire deal process from origination and due diligence through deal structuring and closing. This role is a balance between financial analysis, business strategy, and sharp execution.

• Responsible to maintain a continuous stream of deals through sourcing initiatives, ensure the Deal team has the right set of criteria for sourcing tasks, develop sourcing plan with VP and PC team members, run the sourcing initiatives with the support of the VP, ensure weekly targeted outreach is achieved and fully documented, and provide regular updates on the same to the VP / MD.
• Ensure deals presented to the IC are only as per shared criteria, provide financial evaluation of investment opportunities, ensure IC material is created in accordance with the required information and is as accurate as possible, work with the VP / IC members to develop a standard analysis flow process, ensure the same is followed and highlight deviations as applicable, follow up on questions / requests after each IC meeting, maintain documentation of decisions and requests by IC members.
• Responsible to lead the preparation of the Financial Model and CIM with the support of the VP, while completing the Financial Model and CIM checklist, work with internal / external team members to ensure timely completion of material for review, with minimal errors. Work with the VP / MD to have productive management calls and follow ups, as well as accurate IOIs / LOIs, and to create and follow a standard document storage process.
  
  Ensure all team members are trained on the same, judiciously follow the deal process, right from sending initial DD list, own and manage specific third-party work streams based on discussions with the VP, and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, as well as provide regular updates.
• Ensure all follow ups from lenders and LPs are answered in a quick and precise manner, maintain updates on financing processes (mainly debt side), work with the VP to lead lender discussions, and conduct and provide ad‑hoc analysis as required.
• Responsible to manage certain closing processes based on discussion with the VP, work with the VP to create and follow a standard document storage process and train everyone involved, get inputs from team members in an efficient manner, and maintain post‑close follow up items and files on SharePoint.
• Ensure all closing documents are secured and stored in our repository, work with the management teams to manage post‑closing initiatives and work as the liaison between the management team and BFC, work with the management teams to conduct weekly progress meetings, board meetings and other activities for value creation.
• Responsible to oversee the intern program with other Deal team members, including onboarding, mentorship, project allocation, and performance evaluation, as well as share industry insights, best practices, and technical knowledge with interns to enhance their learning experience.

Bachelor’s Degree, MBA preferred

3 - 5 years’ experience in Private Equity, investment banking or M&A, exposure to manufacturing industry preferred

• Highly analytical; extensive financial modeling skills and experience in Excel
• Previous successful transaction experience on either the buy or sell side
• Knowledge of business growth strategy and the risk/return characteristics of private equity investment opportunities
• Previous M&A transaction experience on either the buy or sell side
• Extremely organized
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Clear, concise writing skills
• Self‑directed, self‑motivated,…