Lazar Vujaklija
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
United States
Toptal member since January 10, 2023
Lazar is an expert at post-merger value creation and has spearheaded projects in the mining, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Lazar has hired and managed engineering and commercial teams, dramatically increasing sales, and brought in new clients. His work with one client resulted in the acquisition of five new factories increasing revenue by three times. Lazar is a GP of an emerging PE fund and works with management teams to improve their operations and support buyouts.
Career Highlights
Case Studies
Consolidation of Machining Sector in France
Advice for a Medical Client
Expertise
- Business Development
- M&A Strategy
- M&A Value Creation
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Operational Efficiency Improvement
- Post-merger Integration
- Strategy
- Value Creation
Work Experience
General Partner
Western Balkans Private Equity Fund
- Oversaw relationships with major development finance institutions, such as the IFC, DFC, and private sector investors, including HNWIs and family offices. Worked on their due diligence and negotiated terms and commitments.
- Hired and trained a team of analysts to support the fund pre-launch and to create a pipeline of targets.
- Defined the fund strategy, including ticket size, geography, sector focus, and target maturity.
- Spearheaded the fundraising process, from creating the pitch deck to defining the fund strategy and terms. Collaborated directly with investors, both private and institutional.
Manager
BDO Serbia
- Brought in new clients for the advisory department, and spearheaded projects in the mining, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors.
- Hired and trained several analysts, developed teams, and managed cross-departmental projects.
- Facilitated the sale of a family-run business, reaching 20% greater valuation than expected by managing a competitive process.
- Developed the 5-year strategy of a tech client, which was accepted and implemented by their board.
- Advised clients on fundraising and M&A processes in various sectors, from healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and mining. Supported the entire process from preparation of investment presentation to transaction closing.
Manager Consultant
Tecla Consulting
- Oversaw a project in Europe that resulted in a 20% increase in efficiency, increased management competence, and significantly decreased waste.
- Trained the client's management in Lean and TPM methodologies to create in-house experts.
- Consulted a manufacturing group in structuring a management buyout.
Strategy Manager
DJ Meca By White Technologies
- Hired and managed engineering and commercial teams that drove a 50% increase in export sales.
- Assisted with the acquisition of several companies in Europe.
- Built a B2B customer base in Germany which benefited the entire group.
- Served as the management and ownership liaison in factories in several European locations, working hands-on with the management teams and shop floor workers.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs
John Cabot University - Rome, Italy
Skills
Finance
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fundraising, M&A (Buy-side), Value Creation, Financial Modeling, Credit/Debt, Fund Analysis, Fund Structure, Deal Analysis, Revenue & Expense Projections, Market Research, Forecasting, Investment Memoranda, Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Cash Flow Modeling, M&A (Sell-side), Pricing Strategy, Private Equity, Due Diligence, Debt Raises, Debt, Valuation, Data Analysis, Fund Management, Accounting, Taxation
Industry Expertise
Food & Beverage, Corporate Structure, Hospitality, Sales & Marketing, Real Estate Development, Professional Services, Energy, Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Venture Capital
Output Software
Microsoft Excel
Geographic Expertise
United States
Other
M&A Strategy, Growth, Strategy, Growth Strategy, Growth Strategy Consultants, Business Strategy, Sales, Client Relationship Management, Marketing, Change Management, Investments, Family Office, Deal Sourcing, Investment Banking, Pitch Decks, COO, Business Operations, Deal Closure, Investor Presentations, Pitch Deck Consultant, Pitch Presentations, Equity, Business Planning, Investor Relations, Communication, Control & Cost Analysis, Financial Analysis, Fractional CFO, Executive Presentations, Coaching, Executive Coaching, Training, Manufacturing, Operational Efficiency Improvement, Lean, Business Development, Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvement, Process Mapping, Process Flows, Surveys, Cosmetics, Corporate, Culture, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Business Plan Consulting, Financing, Business Models, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Due Diligence Consultant, Go-to-market Plans, Go-to-market Strategy, Market Entry, New Business Development, B2B Lead Generation, Lead Generation, Consulting, Digital Transformation, Storytelling, Financials, Business Services, Market Segmentation, Energy Management, Internet of Things (IoT), Management Consulting, Restaurant Operations, Exit Strategy, Waterfall Modeling, Post-merger Integration, M&A Value Creation, Modeling, Sales Strategy, Sales Commission Structure, Cost Cutting (Cost-out), Fundraising Strategy, M&A Pipeline Management, Family Office Management, Data Science, Startups
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