Our client is a mid-market private equity investor with a strong track record of value creation across the industrials and manufacturing sectors. With a portfolio spanning Australia, Current Zealand and South East Asia, the firm partners closely with management teams to drive operational transformation, margin improvement and sustainable growth. As the portfolio continues to expand, they are seeking an experienced Operating Partner to take ownership of value creation across the platform.
The Role
As Operating Partner, you will work hand-in-hand with the investment team, portfolio company CEOs and management teams to design and deliver value creation plans across a portfolio of industrials and manufacturing businesses. This is a hands‐on, high‐impact role for someone who thrives close to the operations of a business, not just the boardroom.
You will be based in Melbourne, with regular travel across the ANZ and SEA portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design and execution of 100-day plans and multi‐year value creation strategies across portfolio companies in industrials and manufacturing
Partner directly with portfolio company CEOs and leadership teams to drive operational improvement, including manufacturing efficiency, supply chain optimisation, procurement, pricing and commercial excellence
Support the investment team through the diligence process, providing an operational lens on new investment opportunities and identifying value creation levers pre‐deal
Sit on the board or operating committee of select portfolio companies, providing hands‐on operational guidance and challenge
Build and embed performance management frameworks (KPIs, dashboards, operating cadences) across the portfolio
Identify and lead cross‐portfolio initiatives, including procurement synergies, shared services and best‐practice sharing between businesses




Support management team upgrades where required, including recruitment of key operating executives
Travel regularly across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia to work directly with portfolio company teams on the ground
Report on portfolio performance and value creation progress to the investment committee
The Candidate
Significant operating experience within industrials and/or manufacturing businesses, ideally including a senior operational leadership role (COO, MD, VP Operations or similar) within a private equity‐backed or high‐growth environment
Prior experience as an Operating Partner, or in industrial/manufacturing operations consulting (e.g. lean, Six Sigma, operational due diligence) with a track record of hands‐on delivery, will also be considered
A track record of driving measurable operational and financial improvement in a business — margin expansion, productivity gains, working capital improvement or supply chain transformation
Comfortable operating across multiple businesses and geographies simultaneously, with strong prioritisation and stakeholder management skills
Experience across ANZ and/or South East Asian manufacturing markets highly regarded
Credible, hands‐on operator who can build trust quickly with founders and management teams, while also being comfortable challenging and holding teams accountable
Strong commercial and financial acumen; comfortable engaging with investment teams on deal economics and value creation modelling
Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the region
The opportunity to shape value creation strategy across a growing portfolio, with real influence and autonomy
Direct exposure to the investment process and partnership with a high‐calibre deal team
A senior, high‐visibility role within a collegiate, entrepreneurial firm
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📌 Operating Partner - Industrials & Manufacturing (Mid-Market Pe) (Melbourne)
🏢 Madison Hunt
📍 Melbourne