Associate - Supply Chain

McKinsey & Company; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company seeks an associate to lead a client service workstream, owning analysis and recommendations that drive standout results. You will collaborate with Fortune 500 leaders and startups, combining research, data, interviews, and brainstorming to deliver breakthrough solutions.

You will work directly with clients, helping refine strategies and implement transformations, while building lasting capabilities and practical tools for ongoing value.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent work experience in consulting or industry.
• Minimum of several years delivering client impact and strategic insights.
• Demonstrated ability to translate analysis into actionable plans.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a workstream to solve complex client problems.
• Collaborate with clients and McKinsey colleagues to uncover challenges.
• Develop actionable recommendations and implementation plans.
• Present foundations for long-term improvements and change management.

Skills

Coaching

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Time management

Education

MBA or PhD or equivalent

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

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.

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, 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.

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.
• An advanced graduate degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, etc.) or equivalent work experience; requirements may vary by country or practice
• 6+ years of experience in supply chain management (e.g., design and implementation of logistics strategy, network design and optimization, transportation, warehouse design and optimization, supply chain planning and management processes, supply chain modeling and optimization)
• 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 work 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