Kearney Associate, Digital Operations, Supply Chain Design & Optimization

kearney; Chicago, Washington, Dallas (IL, District of Columbia, TX); On-site; USD 188,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Profit sharing

Medical insurance

Home office stipend

Gympass

Wellness program

Job summary

Kearney's Digital & Analytics practice seeks an Associate to contribute to the Digital Operations team, specializing in Supply Chain Design & Optimization, helping global clients reimagine supply chains using data science, optimization, and simulation.

You will work with clients across industries, solving complex operational challenges in high-impact engagements and delivering measurable value. 50–80% travel is expected; relocation to multiple cities is possible.

Qualifications

• MBA and 5–10 years of professional experience, ideally in consulting or a Fortune 500 environment.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes (source, plan, make, deliver).
• Hands-on experience with data science, optimization, simulation, and visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on end-to-end supply chain network design & optimization projects using tools like Optano, Coupa SC Guru, AIMMS, Gurobi, AnyLogic, Python and Kinaxis to design resilient, cost-effective networks.
• Serve on client engagements, manage workstreams, and foster trusted advisor relationships.
• Translate executive priorities into analytical models and digital tools supporting decision-making across deliver, make, and plan functions.
• Work with large datasets and enterprise systems (SAP, Oracle, JDA) and cloud analytics platforms to enable digital transformation in operations.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop proposals, participate in business development, and shape proprietary offerings.
• Drive innovation—develop IP, reusable assets, and thought leadership in optimization, simulation, ML/AI, scenario planning, and digital twin tech.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

MBA preferred

Master’s in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research/Analytics

Tools

Optano

Coupa SC Guru

AIMMS

Gurobi

AnyLogic

Tableau

Python

R

SQL

Kinaxis

o9

SAP

Oracle

JDA

Job description

As an Associate within Kearney’s Digital & Analytics (D&A) practice, you will be a core contributor to our Digital Operations team, specializing inSupply Chain Design & Optimization.

In this role, you will help global organizations reimagine andoptimizetheir supply chains using data science,optimization,and simulation platforms. You will work with clients across industries to solve complex operational challenges, high-impact consulting engagements, and deliver measurable value.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to one of Kearney’s fastest-growing capabilities at the intersection of strategy, operations, data science, and digital transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate on end-to-end supply chain network design & optimization projectsusing tools like Kearney'sOptano, Coupa SC Guru, AIMMS SC Navigator, Python andGurobito design resilient, cost-effective networks.

• Serveon client engagements, delivery quality, managing workstreams, and fostering trusted advisor relationships.

• Translate executive priorities into analytical models and digital tools that support decision-making across deliver, make, and plan functions.

• Work with large datasets, enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA), advanced planning systems (e.g., Kinaxis, o9) and cloud analytics platforms to enable digital transformation in operations.

• Collaborate with practice leadership to develop client proposals,participatein business development, and shape proprietary offerings.

• Help drive innovation in the firm’s supply chain approach—developing new IP, reusable assets, and thought leadership in areas such as optimization, simulation, ML/AI, scenario planning, and digital twin technology.

Who You Are

• Experienced: AnMBA (preferred) and5–10 years of professional experience, ideally within management consulting or a Fortune 500 environment

• Functionally grounded:Deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes (source, plan, make, deliver), with experience in driving transformation programs across industries such as consumer goods, healthcare, retail, and industrials.

• Technically strong:Hands-on experience with data science, optimization, simulation, and visualization tools (e.g., Coupa, AIMMS,Gurobi,AnyLogic, Tableau, Python, R, SQL).

• Digitally fluent:Understands how to integrate data, tools, and analytics into large-scale operational transformations.

• Leader and collaborator:You thrive in managing cross-functional teams and partnering closely with clients at every stage of the journey.

• Structured thinker:Can navigate ambiguity, break down complex problems, and create clear, actionable solutions.

• Academically accomplished:Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Analytics, Applied Math, ora relatedfield. MBA preferred.

• Curious and entrepreneurial:Eager to build, scale, and influence a high-growth capability within a global firm.

• Arelocatednear or willing torelocateto Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Southfield, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington D.C.

• This role requires approximately 50–80% travel, based on client and business needs.

What We Can Offer You

Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them make an impact, they are sustained by a competitiveremunerationpackage plus comprehensive benefits andperks, including but not limited to:

• Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities

• Generous retirement/pension savings contributions

• Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and their families

• Non-partner equity-based awards (for consulting managers and above)

• Personalized opportunities including talent mobility, flexible work programs, and externships to help you chart a unique career journey to pursue your own personal and professional goals

• Associate base salary - $188,000 - $194,000

It is important to note that at Kearney, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Individual salaries within each range aredeterminedthrough a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience,knowledgeand skills. Kearney reviews compensation regularly and may adjust base salaries to reflect market competitiveness. In addition to salary, individuals may be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Our full suite of benefits includes paid time off, 401(k) match and profit sharing, medical, dental and vision coverage, healthcareconcierge, backup child/adult care, annual employer HSA contribution, home office stipend, subsidizedGympassand annual wellness program, and leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Read more about our benefits and a careerat Kearney.com/careers.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Kearney prides itself on providing a culture that allows employees to bring their best selves to work every day. Our people can feel comfortable, confident, and joyful to dogreat thingsfor our firm, our colleagues, and our clients. Kearney aims to build diverse capabilities to help our clients solve their mostmission criticalproblems.

Kearney is committed to building a diverse,unbiasedand inclusive workforce. Kearney is an equal opportunity employer; we recruit, hire, train, promote, develop, and provide other conditions of employment without regard to a person’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information or any other differences consistent with applicable laws. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for disabilities, or religious beliefs and practices. Members of communities historically underrepresented in consulting are encouraged to apply. #LI-DNP