Objective of the Role

An associate is actively involved in the M&A Food & Agri (“F&A”) team. An associate supports during the origination process - such as synthesizing information, preparing pitch books and being part of client meetings and pitches - as well as during the execution process of M&A F&A transactions, by taking a leading role in preparing marketing materials, valuations and supporting transaction processes.

Main Responsibilities & Accountabilities

1. Originating deals¹²

•  Synthesizes information for M&A clients (including its markets, products and competitors) and transactions
• Takes lead in preparation of pitching materials
• Part of client pitches and client meetings
• Analyzing customer’s needs to develop pro-active solutions (together with senior team members)
• Supports senior bankers in the creation of new M&A ideas leading to pitches

2. Executing deals¹²

•  Contributes to the execution of transactions on pre-defined parts
• Writes information memoranda, valuation reports and management presentations
• Takes lead in valuation work and all analytical aspects of M&A execution and analysis
• Coordinates due diligence processes
• Responsible for preparation of IM’s for sell side projects
• Maintains contact with external parties during the execution process
• Safeguards the quality standards of execution

3. Line management

•  Provides on-the-job training and reviews interns/trainees/analysts
• Plays a significant role in recruiting efforts

¹ Mandated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), since an associate can be client facing:

 Making a careful consideration between results and risks with a focus on maintaining and increasing customer confidence and guaranteeing the customer's interest.

² Mandated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), since an associate has a managerial function:

 Being a role model and fulfilling an exemplary role when it concerns promoting core values and basic principles of Klantbelang Centraal (focus on customers' interests). Risk awareness and risk management: ensuring a meticulous process of risk identification and risk assessment that can occur within the area of responsibility and determining how to respond to this (risk response). Ensuring the creation of a culture and an environment to properly function as a unit; honesty and ethical standards and values in the management and treatment of employees; following the HR cycle and creating a feedback and learning culture.

Education

 Bachelor’s degree at University (Master’s degree in Europe)

Required experiences & knowledge

• Minimum of 4 years of M&A experience at an investment bank or M&A boutique
• Relevant experience in the execution of buy and sell mandates, preferable in the consumer space
• Excellent modeling skills
• Good command of both English and Mandarin (listen, read and write)
• Thorough M&A, corporate finance and investment banking knowledge