Summer Associate - Retail Performance Improvement (Summer 2027)

Berkeley Research Group•Boston, MA

4d•$25 - $40

About The Position

As a Summer Associate in BRG’s Retail Performance Improvement (RPI) practice, you’ll work alongside experienced consultants to help retailers, consumer brands, and private equity clients solve some of their most complex operational and financial challenges. From day one, you’ll contribute to projects that drive measurable impact—improving profitability, optimizing operations, and supporting value creation across the retail and consumer ecosystem. RPI teams partner with clients ranging from Fortune 500 retailers and CPG companies to private equity sponsors and portfolio companies. Our work spans strategy, cost transformation, supply chain, merchandising, store operations, omnichannel performance, and enterprise execution—always with a focus on turning insight into action. RPI supports clients through periods of transformation, growth, and change—helping leadership teams make better decisions, operate more efficiently, and unlock value. As a Summer Associate, your work will be hands-on, fast-paced, and team-based, with exposure to both strategic analysis and real-world implementation. Your role will combine analytical problem-solving, structured thinking, and clear communication , while giving you a front-row seat to how consulting teams work with clients in dynamic environments. At BRG RPI, we believe learning happens best through doing . The learning curve is steep—but you’ll be supported every step of the way. Hands-On Learning: Gain real consulting experience through project-based work, mentorship, and on-the-job coaching Apprenticeship Model: Learn directly from consultants and leaders with deep industry and functional expertise Meaningful Ownership: Your contributions matter—Summer Associates are trusted with real responsibility Professional Development: Build core consulting skills in problem-solving, communication, and executive-ready analysis

Requirements

Progress toward a Bachelor’s in business, economics, finance, accounting, analytics, engineering, supply chain, operations, or a related field. A GPA of 3.6 or higher is highly desirable.
0–2 years of prior work or internship experience.
Strong Excel skills required. Familiarity with PowerPoint is expected.
Ability to structure ambiguous problems, analyze data, and think logically about solutions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain analysis and insights.
Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, taking ownership of tasks, and learning through feedback.
Candidate must be able to submit verification of his/her legal right to work in the United States, without company sponsorship now or in the future.
Summer Associate positions are for candidates with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and July 2028.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SQL, Python, R, Tableau, or other analytical tools is a plus, but curiosity and willingness to learn matter most.

Responsibilities

Analyzing financial and operational data to identify cost savings, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities
Supporting development of business cases, forecasts, and value capture models
Conducting market, competitor, and operational research across retail and consumer sectors
Translating analysis into clear, client-ready slides and written deliverables
Contributing to diagnostics related to supply chain, merchandising, store operations, labor, pricing, or omnichannel performance
Partnering with consultants and client teams to support workstreams and deliverables