Private Equity Associate

Arable Capital Partners is a private investment firm led by a team of agriculture and investing professionals. We invest in food and agriculture companies throughout the value chain with a focus on midstream or vertically integrated businesses. Since inception, Arable has made 14 investments across six platform companies. Currently our five portfolio companies range from approximately $50 million to over $1.5 billion in revenue. We are excited to grow into one of the preeminent food and agriculture focused investment funds in the U.S. and we are looking for motivated individuals to join our team.

We are seeking an Associate to work closely with our portfolio companies and evaluate new investment opportunities for their risks and possible returns, driven by detailed financial analysis and industry research. The professional stepping into this position would work closely with our investment team to manage our portfolio companies and create, build and analyze financial models for potential new platform opportunities. The ideal candidate would also be responsible for the creation of internal investment summaries, in addition to managing key parts of the due-diligence process. Candidates with backgrounds in management consulting or operating roles within food and agriculture businesses, along with investment banking are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities

Associates play a critical role supporting both new investment opportunity evaluations and active portfolio company management. The Associate will spend meaningful time with portfolio company management teams, applying operational expertise to drive strategic initiatives and improve business performance. Key Associate tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Participate in and contribute to all aspects of deal processes with responsibility for primary quantitative and qualitative analysis of acquisition targets
• Analyze new investment opportunities. This includes using research tools to build views on company positioning, valuation, and industry dynamics
• Build financial models for acquisitions and update quarterly portfolio company valuation and return models
• Support due diligence analyses, manipulating data obtained from target companies in support of drafting investment committee materials
• Support portfolio company work, including strategic planning support, operational performance improvement initiatives, and hands-on management team engagement — applying this expertise to drive value creation across the portfolio

Qualifications

Successful Associates at Arable will be self-starters, with strong analytical skills, a curiosity to learn, and a passion for food and agriculture companies. Prior experience in management consulting or an operating role within a food and agriculture business is highly valued, as the role requires candidates who can operate effectively at the portfolio company level. These skills should be complemented with strong communication skills and the presence to engage effectively with portfolio company management teams, investment bankers, and other deal sources. Detailed requirements are:

• 2-3 years M&A experience with a consulting firm, investment bank, private equity transaction advisory services via accounting or operating company within food and agriculture (preferred but not required)
• Effective management and prioritization of multiple projects
• Direct experience working within an operating business — particularly in a strategy, finance, or operations function — with exposure to management reporting, and business transformation initiatives
• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Strong quantitative & analytical skills
• Financial modeling expertise and able to build complex, multi-case, bottoms up three-statement operating models as well as DCF and LBO financial models
• Strong presentation / PowerPoint skills, using data to persuasively illustrate narratives
• Creative research skills with an entrepreneurial can-do attitude
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to develop rapport with executives and lead internal and external discussions
• Superior attention to detail and thoroughness
• Desire to work hard and produce excellent work product
• Low-ego, high character individual who is interested in food and agriculture

If interested in this position, please send your resume to [email protected].  

Arable Capital Partners is an equal opportunity employer.