Operations Consultant

My Client are a specialist operations consulting firm that works exclusively with private equity-backed businesses. Their work is execution-led. Consultants are embedded directly inside portfolio companies to deliver measurable improvements in EBITDA, cash flow and operational performance. Think shop floor redesign, throughput improvement, cost reduction and post-acquisition integration - not slide decks.

The Role: This is a contractor role aimed at building a flexible, deployable bench of operations-focused consultants based in the UK who can mobilise quickly - typically within two weeks - onto client projects in the United States. You will be embedded on-site with portfolio company teams, working directly with operators, supervisors and senior management to drive implementation. Projects range from two or three weeks through to three months. All travel, accommodation and subsistence are fully covered.

What You'll Be Working On:

• Operational due diligence assessments ahead of PE acquisitions
• Post-close value creation and rapid EBITDA improvement
• Throughput improvement and capacity debottlenecking
• Cost reduction, shift structure optimisation and overhead elimination
• Working capital and inventory rationalisation
• Business consolidation and site integration for roll-up platforms
• Embedding KPI tracking, daily controls and performance routines

Who They're Looking For:

The ideal candidate has two to four years of hands-on operational consulting experience, though strong Manager-level candidates will also be considered. Background from execution-focused consultancies - the kind where you are physically on the shop floor rather than in a conference room is strongly preferred.

Essential Experience

• Track record of delivering measurable operational improvement on-site in industrial environments - factories, warehouses, production facilities
• Experience owning and leading workstreams end-to-end, not just supporting analysis
• Ability to diagnose complex operational problems and translate them into clear, actionable plans
• Strong with data - Excel, operational KPIs, production metrics
• Comfortable working directly with shop floor teams and senior stakeholders alike

The Ideal Mindset:

• You want to see your work implemented and measured, not filed away
• You are comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• You have a high-ownership mentality - if something isn't working, you fix it
• You enjoy working in industrial settings and aren't precious about getting stuck in
• You're interested in private equity and want to build exposure to that world

This Won't Work If:

• You are not willing to travel Monday to Friday on a full-time basis
• Your consulting experience is purely strategy with no on-the-ground implementation
• Industry only experience - without Consulting
• You have not worked directly in operational environments

If you come from a hands-on operational consultancy and are open to US travel, we'd like to hear from you - even if you're not actively looking. Initial conversations are entirely confidential. Please apply here, on 07808 782801, or benjamin@tarkatalent.co.uk