Associate - Procurement

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Telemedicine services

Life and accident insurance

Retirement contributions program

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking an Associate focused on Procurement and Product Development in Minneapolis. You will engage with influential clients to tackle operational challenges, optimize procurement processes, and develop best-in-class strategies. The ideal candidate has over 6 years of experience in procurement optimization and holds an advanced degree. This role offers a competitive salary of $192,000 along with comprehensive benefits to enhance well-being.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in procurement process optimization, category management, supplier relationship management and/or strategic sourcing.
• Willingness to travel up to 80%; ability to work in challenging environments.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and local office language(s).

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a workstream to solve operational challenges for clients.
• Uncover challenges behind client supplier and product development strategies.
• Work directly with clients to deliver results.

Skills

Procurement process optimization

Category management

Supplier relationship management

Strategic sourcing

Coaching or mentoring clients

Excellent organizational capabilities

Proficient in rational decision making

Time management

Strong communication skills in English

Education

Advanced graduate degree (e.g., MBA, Masters in Engineering)

Undergraduate degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

YOUR IMPACT

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

You won't be working with just any clients—they're some of the most influential organizations around, from Fortune 500 giants to innovative startups. We will expect you to go the extra mile, guiding clients on how to maximize procurement impact by designing agile processes resulting in impactful supplier relationships. 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 supplier and product development 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 best‑in‑class procurement operating models. 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

• 6+ years of experience in procurement process optimization, category management, supplier relationship management and/or strategic sourcing within a large, multi‑national organization
• An advanced graduate degree (e.g., MBA, Masters in Engineering) preferred, undergraduate degree required
• Strong interest and passion for coaching or mentoring clients on procurement topics
• 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 and local office language(s), with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels

Industries

• Aerospace & Defense
• Automotive & Assembly

Capabilities

• Operations

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.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role.
For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range
is $192,000 - $192,000 USD -to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest
[salary/hourly wages] 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 like 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.