Kearney Manager, Strategic Operations (SOP) Source Tower

Job Description

As a Manager within Kearney’s Strategic Operations (SOP) Practice – Source Tower, you will play an important role in delivering and helping scale our sourcing and procurement offering. This is a high-impact position for an experienced management consultant with strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and procurement transformation.

You will build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and lead significant workstreams within complex sourcing engagements, helping deliver measurable cost, resilience, and value outcomes. In parallel, you will contribute to the growth of the practice through business development, thought leadership, and team development, while partnering with Principals and Partners on broader client and practice priorities.

What you’ll do:

Client Leadership & Delivery

• Lead a major workstream within sourcing and procurement engagements, from diagnostic and solution design through implementation and value realization.

• Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders and support senior client leaders—including CPOs, CFOs, and COOs—in developing and executing procurement strategy and transformation initiatives.

• Manage initiatives across:

  • Strategic sourcing and category management
  • Procurement operating model design
  • Cost optimization and value capture
  • Supplier collaboration and risk management

• Manage day-to-day delivery for assigned workstreams, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring high-quality outputs, timely execution, and measurable client outcomes.

• Work closely with Principals and Partners to align workstream priorities with the broader engagement strategy and client objectives.

Functional Expertise

• Apply strong expertise in one or more core sourcing capabilities, with a broad understanding of the broader procurement landscape, including:

  • Category management
  • Strategic sourcing
  • Procurement and digital purchasing transformation
  • Supplier relationship management (SRM)
  • Vendor negotiation and contracting strategies

• Apply procurement expertise across industries to improve efficiency, resilience, and innovation.

• Stay current on emerging procurement trends—including digital procurement, ESG sourcing, and supply risk—and contribute insights to client work and internal knowledge development.

• Contribute to thought leadership, tools, and methodologies that strengthen Kearney’s sourcing and procurement capabilities.

Business Development & Practice Growth

• Support the development and expansion of client relationships by delivering high-quality work and identifying opportunities to create additional value.

• Contribute to proposal development, client pitches, and commercial strategy for sourcing engagements.

• Support Principals and Partners in developing new business within existing accounts and strengthening long-term client relationships.

• Contribute to the continued development and scaling of Kearney’s SOP Source offering and market positioning.

• Build credibility with client stakeholders through strong problem solving, practical recommendations, and sustained delivery impact.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop consulting teams working on assigned workstreams.

• Create a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.

• Provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and support for the professional development of team members.

• Contribute to capability building within the sourcing and procurement practice through knowledge sharing, recruiting, training, and mentoring.

Who You Are

We believe this business is about making connections—between data, insights, strategies, and people. We are looking for leaders who are analytical, commercially minded, and collaborative, with the ability to challenge thinking, build strong relationships, and lead with confidence and authenticity.

We want to hear from you if you have:

• Experience in management consulting is required; experience at the Manager level is preferred.

• An MBA is preferred, along with 8+ years of professional experience.

• Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement, and supplier management, with demonstrated depth in at least one of these areas.

• Experience leading a major workstream within a procurement transformation, strategic sourcing, or cost optimization program.

• Experience managing proposal-writing efforts and contributing to consulting pitches and commercial discussions.

• Experience developing client relationships and identifying opportunities within existing accounts.

• A passion for leading teams, coaching colleagues, and creating an inclusive team culture.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a major workstream from problem definition and analysis through recommendation and implementation.

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

What we can offer you:

Every day, our people make a difference for our clients, communities, and colleagues. We support them with a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Generous retirement/pension savings contributions

• Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and immediate family

• Gym membership discounts

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

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

• Personalized career pathways, including mobility programs, flexible work arrangements, and externships

Manager base salary– $212,000 - $235,000. 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 are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and 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, healthcare concierge, backup child/adult care, annual employer HSA contribution, home office stipend, subsidized gym membership and annual wellness program, and leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. #LI-DNP