Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.

Core & Main is seeking a strategic M&A professional to lead the execution of acquisitions and strategic transactions in a high-volume, high-velocity, execution-driven environment. This individual will serve as a “deal quarterback,” leading the full lifecycle of acquisitions from initial engagement through closing and into post-close support. The role is centered on execution, relationship management, and deal leadership. This individual will work in partnership with corporate development, executive leadership, field leadership, finance, and other functional teams to drive efficient, high-quality deal execution and support the company’s broader growth strategy. The role will also contribute to strategic planning and key growth initiatives to help prioritize actions needed to promote organizational growth and transformation.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the acquisition process from initial engagement through closing and into post-close support, including thesis development, strategic analysis, financial modeling, valuation, deal structuring, seller relationship management, due diligence, negotiation support, and closing execution.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with sellers, advisors, and other external stakeholders, including providing steady guidance during high-stress or time-sensitive periods.

• Lead cross-functional deal teams, including executive leadership, finance, legal, real estate, and 3rd-party advisors, to align priorities and advance transactions effectively with accountability for timeline, process, and deliverables.

• Develop and mentor junior corporate development team (will have 1-2 direct reports).

• Perform company and market research to help focus on target company prioritization and investment thesis fit.

• Manage multiple transactions at once, maintaining urgency while exercising sound judgment.

• Anticipate issues early, solve problems pragmatically, and keep deals on track without surprises

• Drive high-quality diligence processes with strong attention to detail, ensuring clean execution, proactive risk identification, and no surprises for leadership or stakeholders.

• Support negotiation strategy and problem solving by helping parties find common ground and by advancing practical solutions when issues arise.

• Contribute to strategic planning efforts and evaluate acquisition strategies and growth opportunities in support of Core & Main’s strategic priorities.

• Develop executive-level summaries, board materials, reports, and presentations related to active deals, pipeline updates, strategic initiatives, and other corporate development priorities for senior leadership and key stakeholders.

• Lead or collaborate on special projects and select organic growth initiatives in partnership with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of experience in Corporate Development, M&A, Private Equity, Investment Banking, or a related field with significant transaction execution responsibility.

• Demonstrated experience leading acquisitions from post-sourcing through close, with multiple completed transactions under direct leadership preferred.

• Strong ability to manage complex deal processes, coordinate cross-functional stakeholders, and navigate ambiguity in high-stakes situations.

• Executive presence and communication skills with the ability to build trust quickly across field operations, functional teams, senior leadership, sellers, and advisors.

• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and a relationship-driven approach with the ability to support sellers through sensitive and stressful periods.

• Strong business acumen and command of transaction details, including the ability to quickly recall and synthesize key deal metrics and issues.

• Thorough understanding of Industrial Distribution and/or Waterworks market dynamics, competitive landscape, industry trends, and growth drivers preferred.

• Willingness to travel 20-40%.

• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems).

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, management, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in related areas of responsibility, including meaningful exposure to acquisition execution, diligence, valuation, and stakeholder management.

• CPA/CFA a plus

Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence.  Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.

None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

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