Kearney Consumer Industries & Retail Principal

About the role

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 high-visibility position is 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.

Responsibilities

• Client Leadership & Delivery
  • 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
• Industry & Functional Expertise
  • Bring deep content expertise in apparel and fashion, with a strong command of core business functions including:
    • Merchandising and assortment strategy
    • Apparel and demand planning
    • Product development, sourcing, and design (preferred)
    • 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
• Business Development & Practice Growth
  • 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

Requirements

• 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
• Exceptional consulting skills across communication, analytics, leadership presence, and problem solving
• Willingness to travel as required (with frequent presence in New York strongly preferred)

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
• Paid time off
• 401(k) match and profit sharing
• Healthcare concierge
• Backup child/adult care
• Annual employer HSA contribution
• Home office stipend
• Subsidized Gympass and annual wellness program
• Leaves of absence to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being

Pay

Principal Base Salary – $245,000-$270,000. 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.