Experienced Consultant - Product Development

McKinsey & Company; Düsseldorf; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is seeking a high-potential professional to join its Operations Practice in Europe, focusing on product development and lean R&D initiatives. You will collaborate with clients to design and implement development processes while advancing your leadership skills.

The role emphasizes problem solving, cross-country mobility, and clear communication in English and the local office language, with world-class mentorship and structured growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and exceptional academics required.
• Broad experience in product development (e.g., product optimization/value analysis, leading R&D projects, technical supplier management).
• Proven record of leadership in a work setting and/or through extracurricular activities.
• Mobility and enthusiasm for taking on European assignments during the work week.
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing, in English and local office language.

Responsibilities

• You will identify issues, form hypotheses, design analyses, and synthesize conclusions into recommendations for clients.
• You will design new product development processes based on lean R&D principles and work with clients to implement changes.
• You will receive mentorship and training from colleagues and senior leaders while based in one of our European offices.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Mobility across Europe

Problem-solving ability

Education

Master’s degree

Exceptional academics

Job description

Who You'll Work With

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World-class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

Your Impact

You will play an active role in problem solving for clients including identifying issues, forming hypotheses, designing, and conducting analyses, and synthesizing conclusions into recommendations. Additionally, you will design new product development processes based on the principles of lean R&D and you’ll work jointly with clients on putting those recommended changes into practice. You will also gain new skills and build on the strengths you bring to the firm. You will receive exceptional training, frequent coaching, and mentoring from colleagues and senior leaders on your teams. You will be based in one of our European offices as part of our Operations Practice. The Operations Practice assists our clients in solving complex operational challenges. Blending strategic thinking with hands‑on practicality, our teams of consultants and experts work to develop and implement operational strategies that solve our clients’ most critical problems. McKinsey’s Product Development service line is committed to helping clients develop products that fit market needs, produce attractive margins, provide platforms for add‑on offerings, and enhance the reputation of brands for future business growth. Our work in product development includes developing, defining, and implementing strategies that help clients make lasting improvements to their innovation and business performance.

Your Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree and exceptional academics required
• Broad experience in product development (e.g., product optimization/value analysis, leading R&D projects, technical supplier management)
• Proven record of leadership in a work setting and/or through extracurricular activities
• Mobility and enthusiasm for taking on European assignments during the work week
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing, in English and local office language