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Associate Consulting information

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$21.1K

$79.2K

$158.7K

How much do associate consulting jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate consulting in Minnesota is $79,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $103,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate consultant?

An Associate Consultant is an entry-level professional in a consulting firm who supports senior consultants and project managers in analyzing data, conducting research, preparing reports, and delivering insights to clients. They typically work as part of a team to help organizations solve business problems and improve their operations. Associate Consultants gain exposure to various industries and often have opportunities for advancement as they develop their skills and experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate consultant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Consultant, you need strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and a relevant bachelor’s degree, often in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools like Excel, PowerPoint, and sometimes specialized software such as Tableau or SQL, is typically required. Outstanding communication, teamwork, and adaptability make someone stand out in this client-facing role. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering insightful recommendations, building client trust, and succeeding in dynamic project environments.

What are some common challenges an associate consultant might face when transitioning from academia to consulting?

Associate Consultants often find the pace and client-focused nature of consulting to be markedly different from academic environments. Adapting to tight project deadlines, managing multiple stakeholders with differing expectations, and quickly learning to communicate complex findings in a clear, actionable way are typical challenges. However, most firms provide robust training, mentorship programs, and collaborative team structures to help new hires bridge this gap and succeed early in their consulting careers.

What are the most commonly searched types of Consulting jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Consulting jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Associate Consulting jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Associate Consulting job openings:

Associate Consulting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Consulting job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,163 per year, or $38.1 per hour.

Associate Consultant, Operational Excellence - Manufacturing

Integrated Project Management Company

Minneapolis, MN • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Description
For more than three decades, premier organizations have trusted IPM to help ensure the successful execution of their strategic portfolios and critically important initiatives. With 90 percent repeat business and a Net Promoter Score in the world-class category, IPM has a reputation that is second to none.
IPM is also a certified "Great Place to Work" company and has been named to the Great Place to Work list of "Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services".
Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Boston, Parsippany, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Los Angeles and San Francisco, IPM has led more than 5,000 projects for over 500 clients in the United States and across continents. Our clientele ranges from Fortune 100 companies to startups.
Our Consultants are full-time employees. They are our most important asset and the competitive advantage that sets us apart from the rest.
Within Operational Excellence, IPM partners with clients across a variety of manufacturing industries. At each new engagement, you'll leverage the continual exposure and experiences from working in a variety of clients and project types. You'll collaborate with highly talented IPM colleagues who will share their skills and experiences with you. You'll need to solve complex problems, as our clients don't come to us when their business is running smoothly and their challenges are simple. Our clients' issues include:
  • Manufacturing Improvements - (enterprise & local transformations, cost reductions, OEE improvements, targeted assessments such as capacity analysis or operational diligence)
  • Supply Chain Optimization - (planning and production scheduling, sales, inventory & operations management (SIOP), network redesign, service level (OTIF) improvements)
  • Capital Expansion - capacity or technology improvements (vertical start-Up, operational readiness, consolidation, relocation)

In these areas it is important that you can demonstrate the ability to identify and test hypotheses, contribute ideas and insights, as well as deliver immediate and tangible improvements in business performance. Our consultants have a reputation for partnering with our clients and their teams to deliver real changes, as well as lasting benefits while exceeding expectations.
JOB DESCRIPTION
In this role your focus will be:
  • Development, management, and leadership of improvement strategies and initiatives
  • Performance of assessments utilizing analytical skills to identify root causes of problems and associated financial opportunities that lead to implementation roadmaps
  • Collection and analysis of data as well as the gathering and documentation of client requirements (product workflows, OEE waterfalls), collaborating with the client team to define solutions
  • Management of projects within established scope, schedule, and budget while meeting and exceeding IPM project management standards
  • Establishment and leadership of high-performance project teams, serving as the project advocate within the client organization. Lead, coordinate, facilitate, and motivate all associated project resources to gain alignment on project goals and deliverables
  • Creation and presentation of both executive-level and detailed updates throughout an engagement and within a final project readout deck
  • Development and documentation of high-level strategies for achieving specific objectives or activities (hierarchical strategy, process flow, Final Project Summary, etc.).
  • Applying consultative skills to identify and prioritize opportunities based on best practices to address client-specific needs, leveraging IPM's professional assessment
  • Daily project leadership with production, quality, maintenance, safety, supply chain, sanitation, and other key stakeholders.
  • Professional communication with a broad spectrum of audiences from line operators to senior level executives.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
The successful candidate for this position should have the following skills and experience:
  • A Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering discipline, with a preference for industrial engineering, operations management, supply chain management or analytics
  • 3-6 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years working on the production floor as well as at least 2 of those years with a proven track record of delivering successful projects in manufacturing
  • Be well versed in operational excellence methodologies, be passionate about clients, and dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions (Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and APICS certifications are a plus)
  • Have demonstrated flexibility and the willingness to tailor your approach specifically based on IPM's methodologies and clients' needs
  • Be comfortable functioning as either an individual consultant or in a team-based role on a broader engagement, with a focus on delivery and implementation.
  • Have the ability to lead multiple activities and resources while maintaining a focus on quality (Project Management certification is a plus)
  • Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills to effectively communicate and build relationships with a broad spectrum of audiences at all organizational levels. Translating technical concepts into broadly understood terms is an essential skill.

If you think you can work with high caliber colleagues on complex and high-profile projects, we'd like to hear from you. In return we'll provide you the opportunities, support, and training to develop your career to the fullest of your capabilities; it's not just what you've done that's interesting to us - it's what you are capable of achieving.
Why IPM
  • Diverse projects: we take on a wide variety of project work, ensuring significant exposure to many clients and a broad range of opportunities to grow your professional experience
  • Collaborative work environment: we have a well-structured system to bring support from managers, internal teams, and our Centers of Excellence (CoE), which serve as a resource for specific service and industry knowledge, tools, and best practices
  • Family with engaging culture: we believe in protecting our greatest asset, our people, with a culture that nurtures a caring environment with a transparent communication approach, culture-building and team-building events, both regional and companywide
  • Professional development: we care about your training and development. You'll get a thorough onboarding to ensure you're prepared, and we'll create the bandwidth you need to further your career at IPM. You are IPM's future; we only promote from within
  • Comprehensive compensation and benefits program: including 100% employer-paid health, 401(k) matching, business development incentives, relocation assistance, and performance bonus amongst many other elements. Salary range - $85,000 - $100,000.
  • Passion for the greater good: we are steadfast in our devotion to the communities we serve and in actively promoting employee involvement in community improvement projects. We've created Project Mercy to channel and maximize our philanthropic efforts every quarter.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Disclaimer: Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, and market / business considerations.
IPM is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.
IPM's hybrid work environment requires a minimum of three days in the office. The specific days are flexible and may vary depending on project schedules and meetings. On-site locations may also vary. In addition, we follow our clients' guidance on on-site requirements, so the minimum number of days in the office may increase depending on the client and project assignment.

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