A major global strategy consulting firm is seeking an Associate Consultant (AC)-level independent consultant to support an 8-week strategy engagement for a leading hardware retail client. The project will focus on analysing market dynamics, competitive positioning, and strategic growth opportunities within the hardware sector. The ideal candidate will bring prior experience in consumer or industrials strategy projects, strong analytical skills, and a proven ability to work in fast-paced consulting environments. This is a hands-on role requiring advanced modelling capabilities and the ability to distil complex insights into clear recommendations.

Key Activities

• Conduct detailed market, competitor, and financial analysis to inform strategic recommendations.
• Build and refine complex financial and operational models using tools such as Excel, Alteryx, and Tableau.
• Analyse customer trends, channel performance, and operational efficiency to identify growth levers.
• Work closely with internal consulting teams to develop hypotheses, test insights, and refine the strategic approach.
• Synthesise findings into high-quality deliverables for internal and client use.

Your Background

Essential

• 2–4 years of experience in a tier-one strategy consulting firm or equivalent environment.
• Proven experience in consumer or industrials strategy engagements.
• Advanced financial modelling and complex analysis skills (Excel, Alteryx, Tableau).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Availability for a full-time commitment over the 8-week project duration.

Desirable

• Prior exposure to retail, hardware, or home improvement sectors.
• Experience in both qualitative and quantitative strategic analysis.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.