Kearney Consumer Industries & Retail Principal

Kearney

24d•$245,000 - $270,000

About The Position

As a Principal within Kearney’s Consumer Industries & Retail Practice (CIRP), you will play a critical leadership role in building and scaling our Fashion & Luxury sector. This is a high-visibility position for a seasoned leader with deep apparel and merchandising expertise who can engage clients at the executive level, lead complex engagements end to end, and help shape the future of a fast-growing practice. You will work closely with senior client stakeholders and internal leadership to develop insights, drive impact, and grow long-term client relationships across the fashion, apparel, footwear, and adjacent beauty ecosystem.

Requirements

An MBA (preferred) and 10+ years of professional experience
Significant Principal-level experience in top-tier management consulting, with demonstrated market traction
Deep Fashion & Apparel expertise, particularly across merchandising, apparel planning, and core product commercialization functions
Experience working with leading apparel, footwear, retail, and/or luxury brands
A strong client network and the ability to engage senior executives as a credible industry expert
Experience supporting Fortune 500 clients through long-term engagements
A passion for leading teams, mentoring talent, and building inclusive, high-performing cultures
Exceptional consulting skills across communication, analytics, leadership presence, and problem solving
Willingness to travel as required (with frequent presence in New York strongly preferred)

Nice To Haves

Product development, sourcing, and design (preferred)
An MBA (preferred)

Responsibilities

Lead large, high-impact Fashion & Luxury engagements from problem definition through analysis, synthesis, and executive-level client communication
Serve as a trusted advisor to C-suite and senior merchandising, planning, and brand leaders at leading apparel and retail organizations
Drive work across corporate and growth strategy, merchandising and assortment strategy, apparel planning, go-to-market strategy, and enterprise transformation
Lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple complex workstreams with autonomy and accountability
Bring deep content expertise in apparel and fashion, with a strong command of core business functions including: o Merchandising and assortment strategy o Apparel and demand planning o Product development, sourcing, and design (preferred) o Brand, franchise, and portfolio strategy
Apply this expertise across vertically integrated apparel brands, multi-brand retailers, and luxury players
Contribute thought leadership on industry trends and emerging topics across fashion, apparel, and beauty
Originate and expand client relationships, with a clear ability to drive revenue growth within existing and new accounts
Lead proposal development, participate in senior-level client pitches, and shape commercial strategy
Support the continued growth and differentiation of Kearney’s Fashion & Luxury offering within CIRP
Mentor and develop junior team members while helping build a strong, collaborative sector community

Benefits

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 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
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 Gympass and annual wellness program
leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being