Senior Manager - External Talent Category

McKinsey & Company; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Competitive benefits

Job summary

McKinsey & Company is seeking a senior procurement leader to manage a large, enterprise-wide portfolio of external workers and advisors. You will shape the category strategy, drive supplier performance, and build cross-functional partnerships to align with firm objectives.

You will define long-term plans for EW and Advisor categories, pursue cost optimization, risk mitigation, and scalable supplier relationships, while delivering measurable business value and maintaining client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years in sourcing, category management, procurement, or consulting.
• Data-driven, analytical thinker with ability to synthesize insights.
• Proficient in creating analytical outputs and category reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication; stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, enterprise-wide portfolio for external workers and advisors.
• Shape and execute a comprehensive category strategy aligning with business goals.
• Develop long-term direction for EW and Advisor categories.
• Drive supplier innovation, efficiency, and measurable business outcomes.
• Collaborate with leaders to rationalize supplier landscape and optimize costs.

Skills

Problem solving

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or PhD preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Connecticut - Darien
• London
• Miramar
• New Jersey
• New York City
• Philadelphia
• Tampa

YOUR IMPACT

You will lead a high-impact, enterprise-wide portfolio encompassing hundreds of suppliers across a diverse external worker and advisor supplier domain.

You will be accountable for shaping and executing a comprehensive category strategy that supports the firm's broader business objectives, driving financial value, ensuring regulatory and policy compliance, advancing sustainable procurement practices, and enhancing the colleague's experience.

You will define the long-term direction of the Non-Tech External Worker (EW) and Advisor categories by developing forward-looking plans, building strong cross-functional partnerships, and fostering relationships with top-tier and niche external workers providers.

You'll drive innovation and efficiency in how the firm sources and manages external worker and advisor engagements, particularly in complex or high-risk areas-ensuring that supplier relationships deliver measurable business outcomes.

You will collaborate closely with global and local business leaders to identify and act on opportunities to rationalize the supplier landscape, expand strategic partnerships, and optimize costs without compromising quality, performance, or client satisfaction. A strong focus will be placed on risk mitigation, improving contract structures, and ensuring invoice accuracy and audit readiness.

Through disciplined supplier performance management and strategic sourcing initiatives, you will streamline procurement operations, reduce complexity, and unlock economies of scale. You will also serve as a key knowledge hub-building and leveraging relationships with industry experts, peer organizations, and suppliers to continuously enhance the firm's category management capabilities and bring best-in-class thinking into procurement decisions.

Your work will drive the evolution to a scalable and sustainable strategy that continuously unlocks value through supplier relationship management, operational efficiencies and financial impact that empowers the firm to scale and innovate effectively.

YOUR GROWTH

You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well-rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference.

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. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Exceptional 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

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, PhD) or equivalent practical experience strongly preferred
• 7+ years of experience in sourcing, category management, procurement, or consulting, with a strong track record of delivering business value
• Proven ability to assess complex problems, synthesize insights, and drive data-backed decisions.
• Skilled in creating and interpreting analytical outputs, including Excel models and category performance reports
• Ability to produce high-quality deliverables, including PowerPoint presentations, sourcing documentation, contract summaries, and other written materials that support decision-making
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, balance long- and short-term goals, and see initiatives through from concept to execution
• Strong time management and attention to detail in a dynamic, fast-paced, and often autonomous work environment
• Demonstrated ability to drive structured processes and deliver consistent, repeatable outcomes
• Adept at building trusted relationships across functions, geographies, and levels of seniority
• Ability to influence without authority and work effectively in cross-functional teams
• Embraces a collaborative, non-hierarchical approach and fosters a culture of mutual respect and accountability
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to a variety of audiences and seniority levels. Comfortable presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders

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

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

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. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is $190,900 - $254,600 USD gross per year. 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.