Title: Consulting Principal(Manufacturing exp.)Designation: Associate Director level(Hybrid - Dallas, TX)Job SummaryConsulting Principal role requiring 15 to 17 years of experience in process manufacturing and industrial manufacturing focused on delivering high impact advisory and transformation projects for global clients in a hybrid day shift work model with no travel requirement driving operational excellence digital enablement and sustainable performance improvements for multinational manufacturing enterprises.
Responsibilities- Drive end to end consulting engagements for process manufacturing and industrial manufacturing clients ensuring clear problem definition robust diagnostic and execution ready recommendations that measurably improve throughput quality and cost efficiency.
- Lead complex transformation programs that integrate process optimization digital technologies and organizational change aligning outcomes with client strategic objectives and the company consulting frameworks that emphasize sustainable industrial performance.
- Guide cross functional consulting teams in structuring analyses validating hypotheses with client stakeholders and translating insights into pragmatic implementation roadmaps that address production maintenance supply chain and asset management challenges.
- Develop sector specific consulting offerings for manufacturing clients including standardized assessment models value realization approaches and benchmark libraries that strengthen the company market position in industrial and process verticals.
- Collaborate with client senior stakeholders to prioritize initiatives quantify business cases and design governance mechanisms that ensure accountability for operational improvements in safety quality energy usage and overall equipment effectiveness.
- Shape data driven consulting solutions by defining analytical models metrics hierarchies and reporting structures that leverage manufacturing data sources to drive continuous improvement and decision support across plants and networks.
- Mentor consulting professionals by providing structured guidance on engagement delivery industry context and consulting methodologies building a strong talent pipeline capable of handling sophisticated manufacturing advisory work.
- Coordinate with internal product technology and delivery teams to align consulting blueprints with implementation capabilities ensuring that recommended solutions can be deployed reliably within hybrid work settings and client operational constraints.
- Strengthen client relationships by facilitating recurring value review sessions articulating achieved benefits and identifying follow on consulting opportunities that extend impact across production lines facilities and regions.
- Design and refine operating models for manufacturing clients that clarify roles processes and decision rights supporting resilient performance across planning execution and continuous improvement functions.
- Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards in all consulting recommendations embedding risk management safety practices and sustainability considerations into proposed ways of working.
- Contribute to thought leadership by creating white papers case studies and point of view documents on emerging trends in industrial manufacturing and process industries enhancing the company reputation as a trusted advisor.
- Drive internal efficiency within the consulting practice by standardizing templates streamlining project management routines and sharing best practices that improve quality predictability and client satisfaction in hybrid engagements.
Qualifications- Possess extensive consulting experience of 15 to 17 years in process manufacturing and industrial manufacturing domains demonstrating consistent delivery of measurable operational and financial improvements for large scale manufacturing clients.
- Demonstrate deep understanding of end to end manufacturing value chains including production planning shop floor control maintenance quality safety and supply chain with ability to translate domain knowledge into actionable consulting recommendations.
- Showcase strong capability in applying structured consulting methodologies such as issue trees hypothesis driven analysis and root cause techniques in industrial environments supported by proficiency with analytical tools and data interpretation.
- Exhibit familiarity with modern manufacturing technologies including automation systems manufacturing execution platforms and data analytics solutions enabling design of practical and future ready transformation initiatives.
- Display strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to facilitate workshops present complex findings clearly and navigate diverse business cultures in large multinational manufacturing organizations.
- Bring experience in hybrid work models that combine onsite and remote collaboration leveraging digital collaboration tools and disciplined project management practices to maintain engagement momentum and transparency.
- Preferably hold advanced education in engineering operations or business disciplines and have worked on large scale process improvement programs such as lean manufacturing reliability centered maintenance or integrated business planning.
- Value ethical consulting practices inclusivity and sustainability ensuring that all advisory work supports responsible industrial growth safe working environments and positive societal outcomes through improved manufacturing performance.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree required; MBA or Master's degree strongly preferred
Salary and Other Compensation:Applications will be accepted until
October 5 th , 2026. The annual salary for this position is between
$122,400.00 - $194,000.00 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
Incentives: Eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, subject to applicable plan terms.
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Paid Holidays plus PTO, 401(k) with company contributions, Short-term/Long-term Disability, Paid Parental Leave, Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Disclaimer: Salary, other compensation, and benefits are accurate as of the date of this posting and may be modified at any time, subject to applicable law.
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