At PwC, our people in operations consulting specialise in providing consulting services on optimising operational efficiency and effectiveness. These individuals analyse client needs, develop operational strategies, and offer guidance and support to help clients streamline processes, improve productivity, and drive business performance. In product development and manufacturing at PwC, you will specialise in improving product development and manufacturing processes. You will work closely with clients to analyse product development lifecycles, identify bottlenecks, and develop strategies to enhance speed to market, reduce costs, and improve quality. Working in this area, you will also provide guidance on implementing lean manufacturing principles, optimising supply chain integration, and leveraging digital technologies.Associate / Senior Associate – Product Development ExcellenceIndustry: Management ConsultingJob Family: Physical Product Development and Manufacturing (PPDM)Specialism: OperationsManagement Level: Senior Associate
Job Summary
At PwC our Consulting professionals from Physical Product Development & Manufacturing (PPDM) team partner with clients across diverse industries to address critical business challenges and drive transformation in how products are designed, engineered, and manufactured. The team delivers impact through strategic advisory and implementation services in the areas of Strategy & Operations, Digital Engineering, Manufacturing Strategy & Operations, Digital Manufacturing, and Connected Products & Solutions (CP&S) - enabling organizations to improve product competitiveness, operational agility, and time-to-market.As a Senior Associate, you will collaborate with leading global companies to redefine how they innovate, manage, and grow their product portfolios across the lifecycle. You will contribute to engagements that improve innovation and NPI processes, portfolio profitability, product complexity management, and operating models for high-performance product organizations
Position Requirements
Candidates should demonstrate
substantial experience and / or knowledge
in one or more of the following areas
- Innovation Management: Experience in shaping and executing innovation strategies, conducting market or technology assessments, designing idea-to-market frameworks, establishing innovation governance, and enabling commercialization of new concepts or technologies.
- Product Strategy: Experience in defining product vision and roadmaps, assessing market and customer needs, evaluating competitive positioning, and aligning product direction with enterprise and portfolio strategy.
- Complexity & Lifecycle Management: Understanding of product and portfolio complexity drivers, experience in simplification and standardization initiatives, value engineering, or lifecycle cost optimization to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
- Product & Portfolio Profitability: Exposure to portfolio design, prioritization, and rationalization; product profitability analysis; and resource allocation frameworks to maximize portfolio value and performance.
- Strategy, Talent & Operating Model: Experience in developing product development operating models, defining decision rights and governance frameworks, structuring product organizations, and establishing performance management and process design practices.
- NPI & Tech Transfer: Knowledge of stage-gate or equivalent product introduction frameworks, readiness and maturity assessments, and design-to-manufacturing transition processes to accelerate time-to-market and ensure smooth industrialization.
- Project Management: Experience in planning and managing end-to-end project workstreams, coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders, managing timelines, and ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery of client engagements.
Skills Preferred
- Strategic and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to break down complex business and operational challenges into structured, actionable recommendations.
- Analytical and data interpretation capabilities to assess large, complex datasets, benchmark performance, and generate insights that drive decision-making.
- Proven ability to lead project workstreams, provide oversight, delegate effectively, and deliver high-quality output with minimal supervision.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences and build confidence in client interactions.
- Demonstrated experience in collaborating with leadership to manage engagements, coordinate stakeholders, and support the delivery of strategic transformation programs.
- Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with clients and team members, fostering trust and shared ownership of outcomes.
- Comfort with ambiguity and change, showing adaptability, initiative, and a proactive approach in dynamic project environments.
- Growth mindset with self-awareness, openness to feedback, and continuous learning orientation.
Qualifications
Educational Background:
- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred)
- Prior relevant work experience aligned with the required knowledge and skills
- Senior Associate: 4-7 years of experience
- Associate: 2-4 years of experience
Preferred Industry Experience
- Experience in either of the following industries will be preferred- Hi-Tech, Consumer Electronics & Hardware, Software/ IT, Semiconductors, Industrial Products, Telecommunications, Life Sciences, Consumer Markets
