Associate - Manufacturing

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Career mentorship

Global community engagement

Job summary

A leading global consulting firm in Houston is seeking a Senior Associate for their Manufacturing practice. The role involves joining client service teams to tackle complex challenges faced by Fortune 500 companies. Candidates should have over 6 years of experience, an advanced degree, and strong skills in leadership and decision-making. The position offers a competitive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits plan and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in a high-performance manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in creating work-product materials like decks and models.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% in challenging environments.

Responsibilities

• Join a client service team to solve tough client challenges.
• Deliver solutions that drive long-term change.
• Combine research and analysis to generate insights.

Skills

Leadership in performance improvement

Coaching or mentoring clients

Organizational capabilities

Rational decision-making based on data

Time-management skills

Strong communication skills in English

Education

Advanced graduate degree (e.g., MBA, PhD)

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Consulting – Associate – Manufacturing

Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges—the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

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 will include Fortune 500 giants and innovative startups. We expect you to go the extra mile, delivering solutions that solve immediate problems and drive long‑term change. You will play a role that goes beyond advising—helping clients uncover the true challenges behind a strategy and creating actionable plans that drive real change. Working closely with clients and McKinsey colleagues, you will combine research, data analysis, interviews, and brainstorming to generate fresh insights and breakthrough solutions. You will deliver results that matter and uphold our values.

Growth

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You thrive in a high‑performance culture, doing hard things, recovering from setbacks, and applying resilience. In return, we provide resources, mentorship, and development opportunities to help you become a stronger leader.

• Continuous learning: Our apprenticeship culture and structured programs support rapid professional growth.
• A voice that matters: Your ideas influence client outcomes while upholding ethics and integrity.
• Global community: Work with colleagues in 65+ countries and 100+ nationalities.
• World‑class benefits: Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family.

Qualifications and Skills

• An advanced graduate degree (e.g., MBA, PhD) or equivalent work experience; requirements may vary by country or practice.
• 6+ years of hands‑on experience in a high‑performance manufacturing environment, demonstrating leadership in performance improvement & change management.
• Strong interest in coaching or mentoring clients.
• Excellent organizational capabilities, including independent task initiation and completion.
• Proficient in rational decision‑making based on data, facts, and logical reasoning.
• Ability to create work‑product materials (PowerPoint decks, Excel models, articles, or other deliverables).
• Exceptional time‑management skills to meet responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 80 %; able to work in challenging environments (factories, hospitals, mines).
• Availability to work outside traditional business hours or accept projects with limited notice.
• Strong communication skills in English and local office language(s).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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

FOR NON‑U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, visit our Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.

Salary and Benefits

For U.S. applicants, the estimated salary range is $192,000 – $192,000 USD, inclusive of all offices where the job may be performed. This reflects a best estimate of the lowest to highest range for this role. Actual salaries may vary by location, experience, and other factors. Certain roles may be eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and performance. We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accidental and disability insurance, parental leave, family planning benefits, caregiving resources, generous retirement contributions, financial guidance, and paid time off.