Operations Advisory careers

Operations Advisory

Careers for graduates: learn about assisting clients to become more efficient through business improvement solutions.

Careers for graduates: learn about assisting clients with business improvement solutions.

Grad careers: Operations Advisory

In a nutshell, what does your business group/service line do?

Operations Advisory assists clients to become more efficient and effective through the delivering tailored business improvement. Our people routinely use target operating model methodologies to describe the current status, the desired future performance level and the interventions necessary to move from one to the other. We primarily focus on Operational Excellence, Procurement and Supply Chain Advisory.

  • Operational Excellence
    Operational Excellence applies modern principles, systems, and tools that help clients achieve sustainable improvement to key performance metrics. Operational Excellence is based on continuous improvement methodologies, such as Lean Thinking and Six Sigma, digitally enabled. Our approach goes beyond the traditional event-based model of improvement, towards a long-term change in organisational culture.
  • Procurement Advisory
    With cost efficiency vital in today’s competitive business environment, focusing on procurement procedures is essential. KPMG’s Procurement Advisory services work with clients to drive bottom-line savings. We combine our deep insights, augmented decision making and global perspectives to help transform how they source and manage their supply base.
  • Supply Chain Advisory
    Supply chain improvements are a key focus for companies looking to improve financial results through supplier optimisation, network design, gross margin enhancement and working capital velocity. We assist companies to do this in an ever-changing technological, economic and regulatory landscape.

The Operations Advisory team is diverse and multi-disciplinary. We have team members with degrees in business, commerce, law, finance, engineering and science. We have seasoned industry specialists as well as career consultants. Our team is welcoming and open. The team culture aims to be inclusive and engaging. Our people are collaborative in approach, working shoulder-to-shoulder with clients and other parts of the firm. Our leaders are passionate and engaging, caring about the development of others.

Our model is local but connected nationally with frequent knowledge sharing sessions across our national and global centres of excellence. Like other service lines within KPMG we work as part of a matrix structure with engagements across various sectors such as Government (State and Federal), Defence, Healthcare, Financial Services, Consumer Industrial Markets, and Agriculture.

What does the average day look like?

An average day involves supporting the development of client outcomes. Our deliverables tend to be reports, presentations and models. You will work alongside our clients and colleagues in a variety of forms. Often you’ll be based at the client site in large multifunctional teams, working to build solutions. Other days are spent working in the office on client engagements, in team meetings, finalising deliverables, supporting internal projects, completing proposals or participating in training.

When you have a big project on, longer hours may be required to meet client expectations however, KPMG’s Agile working policy means that there is scope for flexibility in how, when and where you complete your deliverables. You are provided with the flexibility to manage your work and personal commitments.

What will I learn in the first year?

In your first year, you’ll expand on the skills you have learned at university, but you’ll also learn new skills. As you grow your experience, you’ll develop a strong foundation of behavioural change management skills and facilitation skills. You’ll develop knowledge of different industries and learn presentation skills. You’ll practice developing trusted relationships with clients, and how to work closely within your project team to ensure key deliverables are met.

You’ll learn the importance of networking and getting to know people in different parts of the business. You’ll come to understand how the engagement lifecycle works – from developing proposals and selling work, to setting up projects, project delivery and then project closure. You’ll be juggling a busy schedule and learn to be flexible as you move from project to project.

What’s the best part of the role?

There is plenty to enjoy. You may like the variety of projects and the opportunity to work with different types of people on different jobs or solving challenging problems every day. It may be you’re at your best when working in small diverse teams which allows you to see problems from different angles. Or perhaps you most like the fact that everyone is friendly and supportive, easy to get along with and available to assist.

The people you meet and work with at KPMG is definitely the best part of the role. Like you, they are smart, driven, interesting people that genuinely care about clients, community and your development. You’ll be provided with regular feedback and mentorship to help your development and be given the autonomy to produce your best work.

Further information