John Buchner
Studied at Michigan's Ross School of Business
Worked at McKinsey & Company
Available tomorrow at 9:00 PM UTC
Can open up dates / times as needed, just message me!
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
About John
Former McKinsey Engagement Manager and U.S. Marine Corps Captain with a track record of leading teams and solving complex challenges in high-stakes environments. I specialize in resume development, interview preparation, and career strategy, helping professionals clearly articulate their value, navigate competitive hiring processes, and accelerate their career trajectory. Living in Pittsburgh with my Wife, son and cat :) Go Steelers, Go Blue!
Why do I coach?
I coach because career moves can feel surprisingly hard to navigate alone. Sometimes you need someone who can help you see your strengths more clearly, sharpen your story, and approach big opportunities with more confidence. I genuinely enjoy helping people make sense of their experience and take the next step with clarity.
Work Experience
Engagement Manager
McKinsey & Company
May 2025 - February 2026
Led due diligence, operational turnarounds, and performance-improvement programs for private equity and Fortune 500 clients; shaped investment theses, identified over $50M in savings, and delivered asset-utilization and profitability gains across industrial and manufacturing portfolios.
Associate
McKinsey & Company
September 2023 - May 2025
Advised Fortune 500 and government clients on strategy, operations, and digital transformation; led turnarounds and strategic analyses across manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and defense, unlocking over $350M in value
Lead Logistician
United States Marine Corps
July 2019 - August 2021
Led logistics and maintenance operations across 9 countries, supporting 2,000 Marines and advising on $240M in assets; improved equipment readiness to a 3-year high and expedited multiple base closures across Iraq and Syria.
Company Executive Officer
United States Marine Corps
July 2018 - July 2019
Managed operations and training for a 205-Marine unit, improving training completion by 25% and ensuring 100% maintenance compliance; coached junior leaders through a leadership development program.
Transportation Platoon Commander
United States Marine Corps
September 2016 - July 2018
Led a 50-Marine transportation platoon, improving safety and maintenance operations for a $10M vehicle fleet and achieving the unit’s highest readiness rate.
Education
Michigan's Ross School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA
2021 - 2023
Focused on strategy, finance, and leadership; served as an Armed Forces Association club officer, and was selected for the Ross Leaders Academy. Finalist in the 2021 Kearney Case Competition (top 6 of 100+ teams) Business Strategy and Financial Modeling
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor's degree, Linguistics
2012 - 2016
Graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Linguistics and minors in German and Russian; studied abroad in Moscow and served as a Judicial Board representative for Delta Tau Delta Cross-Cultural Communication Skills