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José Ricardo Cota

Leads our work in the Consumer Practice by transforming how companies work and organize and integrate technology to drive lasting impact

José Ricardo is a leader in McKinsey’s Consumer Practice, with deep expertise in large-scale transformations. He drives growth strategies, operational improvements, and AI and digital transformations for leading retail and consumer goods companies. José Ricardo helps clients navigate complex challenges and achieve substantial, sustainable growth through changes in processes, ways of working, and AI and digital capabilities. His focus areas include strategy, operating model, merchandising, operations, and AI and digital transformations.

Examples of his client work include:

  • transforming the store operating model of an iconic non-food retailer, accelerating top-line growth and increasing productivity
  • shaping the AI strategy of a leading retailer to evolve core customer and operational domains
  • crafting the growth strategy of an iconic food and beverage company to double its business over the next five years
  • leading the largest enterprise agility transformation for a top grocery retailer

Published work

The state of grocery retail in Latin America,” McKinsey & Company, January 2025

The state of grocery retail in Mexico,” McKinsey & Company, November 2024

Looking within: How Walmart in Mexico changed everything for an omnichannel future,” McKinsey & Company, May 2023

How consumer companies are adopting agility during the COVID-19 pandemic,” McKinsey & Company, February 2021

Past experience

Bimbo Bakeries USA
Operations intern

Education

IESE Business School
MBA

Stanford University, School of Engineering
MS, management science and engineering

Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education
BS, industrial engineering