Associate Consultant- Graduate Program

Proxima; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Travel opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Proxima in Chicago, IL is hiring an Associate Consultant to support delivery across client engagements and help build strong consulting and procurement foundations with real client outcomes.

You will join a structured onboarding journey, participate in Proxima's case study program, and practice presentation and storytelling skills in a supportive learning environment.

Work is in a hybrid, global model with opportunities to travel and collaborate across teams to drive tangible value for clients.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Analytical, creative thinker with problem-solving ability
• Collaborative team player with attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Support delivery across client engagements
• Analyze data to inform decisions
• Engage and collaborate with team
• Work in a global, flexible hybrid model

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The opportunity

As an Associate Consultant at Proxima, you will be part of teams delivering high-impact commercial, sourcing, and supplier initiatives. You will support the development of insights, contribute to solution design, and play an active role in shaping outcomes, not just recommendations.

This is an experienced early-career role designed to build strong consulting and procurement foundations while contributing meaningfully to real client outcomes. This is not a passive learning role. At Proxima, we are practitioner-consultants. You will build experience quickly, take responsibility early, and work alongside clients to deliver real, measurable change.

How We'll Prepare You for Success

• You will take part in a structured onboarding journey that combines networking, instructor-led training, and self-paced online learning. Designed to build both consulting and procurement foundations, the program provides the knowledge, tools, and support needed to accelerate your development from day one
• You will put theory into practice through Proxima's case study program, a core component of onboarding that bridges the gap between theory and real client delivery. Working through realistic business challenges, you'll develop critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical, and storytelling skills in a supportive learning environment
• You'll also have regular opportunities to challenge yourself through presentation exercises, helping you build confidence, strengthen your communication skills, and refine your delivery. Through continuous practice, feedback, and coaching, you'll develop the executive presence needed to effectively engage stakeholders and deliver impactful recommendations

What you’ll do:

Support delivery across client engagements

• Develop core consulting and procurement skills, including problem-solving, storytelling and stakeholder communication
• Learn and use Proxima tools, IP, and methodologies to support client-ready outputs

Analyze data to inform decisions

• Build structured analyses and fact bases that translate data into clear insights
• Support benefits tracking and progress against delivery milestones

Engage and collaborate with a team

• Collaborate with team members to support working sessions, and day-to-day delivery
• Communicate findings clearly and professionally with team members

Work in a global, flexible model

• Operate in a hybrid environment, balancing client, home, and office-based work.
• Travel as required to support client delivery and team collaboration

Your Experience:

• An excellent verbal and written communicator
• Critical, creative thinker, intellectually curious with a desire to solve problems
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and organized
• A collaborative thinker who enjoys working as part of a team
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ideally a Bachelor's degree from a credible university such as Supply Chain/Procurement, Engineering, Science, Business, or Economics; however, we remain open to applicants from all disciplines
• Legally authorized to work in the US

Why Join Proxima

A bold, collaborative culture

Our culture is one of our greatest strengths. We are inclusive, supportive, and ambitious, with a flat structure that encourages collaboration and early responsibility. You will join a friendly, open, and high-performing team.

A responsible business

We are committed to being a responsible business, with a strong focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and social responsibility. Our people are at the heart of our success, and we invest in their growth and development.

Growth, learning, and opportunity

You will benefit from continuous training and development, clear career progression, and exposure to a wide range of clients and industries. As a fast-expanding global company, Proxima offers meaningful opportunities to shape both your career and the future of the firm.

What we offer

• Continuous training and development
• Clear career progression
• Competitive compensation and generous PTO
• Flexible hybrid working
• Exposure to a wide variety of clients and industries
• Global opportunities and great office locations
• A strong, people-centered company culture

Who thrives here

You are:

• Curious, commercially minded, and eager to learn.
• Comfortable working with data and structured problem-solving.
• Confident engaging with stakeholders and contributing to team delivery.
• Motivated by real outcomes and hands-on impact.
• Excited to grow with a fast-expanding global consultancy.

Time to be bold.

Join Proxima and help leading organizations make smarter commercial decisions, strengthen supplier relationships, and unlock lasting value, while building a career supported by exceptional people.