Associate - Manufacturing

McKinsey & Company; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 172,800 - 211,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous learning

Voice that matters

Global community

World-class benefits

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is seeking an Associate in the United States to join a client service team and own a workstream that tackles the toughest client challenges. You will collaborate with influential organizations, from Fortune 500 giants to innovative startups, delivering solutions that drive immediate impact and lasting change.

You will uncover true challenges behind a client's strategy, combine research, data, and interviews, and create actionable plans that equip clients to sustain

Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent work experience; advanced graduate degree preferred.
• 6+ years in a high-performance manufacturing environment with leadership in performance improvement & change management.
• Strong interest in coaching or mentoring clients.
• Excellent organizational capabilities; can initiate and complete tasks independently.
• Data-driven decision making based on facts and logic.
• Ability to create product-focused materials/outputs (PowerPoint decks, Excel models).
• Exceptional time management in a largely autonomous role.
• Willingness to travel up to 80%.
• Strong English communication, verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Join a client service team and own a workstream to solve tough client challenges.
• Deliver solutions that address immediate problems and drive long-term change.
• Collaborate with clients and McKinsey colleagues using research, data, interviews, and brainstorming to generate insights.
• Help clients refine strategies and implement transformations.
• Uphold McKinsey values and earn client trust through ethical, effective results.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Data-driven decision making

Time management

Education

MBA/PhD or equivalent

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Locations

• Atlanta
• Austin
• Boston
• Chicago
• Connecticut - Darien
• Dallas
• Denver
• Detroit
• Houston
• Miami
• Minneapolis

Overview

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

As an Associate, you will join a client service team and take ownership of a workstream to solve some of the toughest challenges our clients face.

Your clients won't be just any clients—they'll be some of the most influential organizations around, from Fortune 500 giants to innovative startups. We will expect you to go the extra mile, delivering solutions that solve immediate problems and drive long‑term change. We'll rely on your judgment and integrity to ensure our recommendations are effective and long‑lasting.

You will take on a role that goes beyond advising. You'll be at the heart of the action—helping to uncover the true challenges behind a client's strategy and creating actionable plans that drive real change. Working alongside clients and other McKinsey colleagues, you'll combine research, analyzing data, interviews, and brainstorming to generate fresh insights and breakthrough solutions. Your commitment to our values will be crucial in earning our clients' trust and delivering results that matter.

As you collaborate directly with clients, you'll help them solve problems, refine strategies, and implement transformations. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to continue innovating and improving after we've left, you'll ensure the impact of our work endures. In doing so, you'll uphold McKinsey's commitment to making a meaningful difference in the industries and communities we serve.

YOUR GROWTH

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 QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• An advanced graduate degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, etc.) or equivalent work experience; requirements may vary by country or practice
• 6+ years of hands‑on experience in a high‑performance manufacturing environment, specifically demonstrating leadership skills in performance improvement & change management
• Strong interest and passion for coaching or mentoring clients
• Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to initiate tasks independently and see them through to completion
• Proficient in rational decision making based on data, facts, and logical reasoning
• Ability to create product‑focused materials/outputs, which may include PowerPoint decks, Excel models, articles, or other written deliverables
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
• Willingness to travel up to 80%; ability to travel to and work in varying environments that may be challenging and/or not accessible (e.g., factories, hospitals, mines)
• Ability to work or attend meetings outside of traditional business hours or take on projects with limited or no notice at times
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English, with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels

Additional Requirements

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Industries

• Aerospace & Defense
• Automotive & Assembly

Capabilities

• Operations

Equal Opportunity and Salary

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Salary Range: $192,000 – $192,000 USD gross per year. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest salary for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors such as your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS

McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.