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Shyam Karunakaran

Brings 20+ years of deep, hands-on expertise in operations performance transformations with a particular passion for manufacturing and supply chain organizations operating in highly regulated industries

Shyam is a leader in McKinsey’s MedTech Operations practice, with over 20 years of experience in Supply Chain and Manufacturing. He delivers strategic guidance to executives on a wide range of operations issues, including operations-performance improvement, supply chain planning excellence, global-network optimization, make versus buy, and digital supply chain.

Shyam’s clients are typically industry leaders that are driving best practices in operations and supply chain. He has particular expertise in highly regulated industries, such as medical devices, advanced industries, life sciences, and consumer packaged goods. Examples of his recent work include:

  • Designing and delivering multiple multi-year, enterprise-wide operations transformation, including optimizing manufacturing and distribution networks, optimizing supply chain organization structure, advanced planning solution implementation, and targeted procurement interventions.
  • Leading a rapid crisis-recovery effort to recover customer service levels after a major service disruption event.
  • Supporting multiple companies and governmental entities in mitigating supply chain disruptions throughout the COVID pandemic to ensure testing and therapeutic services availability for patients.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Shyam worked for high-tech industrial equipment and engineering major with senior leadership roles in supply chain planning, logistics, manufacturing, and purchasing. He has earned an MBA from Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Bangalore University.

Past Experience

Is your manufacturing network an anchor or a sail?,” McKinsey & Company, August 2022

The resilience imperative for medtech supply chains,” McKinsey & Company, December 2020

COVID-19 exposes a critical shortage of oxygen in developing countries,” McKinsey & Company, August 2020

We are living in a digitally disrupted world,” McKinsey & Company, August 2017

Past Experience

ABB Industrial Solutions
Global head of Supply Chain Management

ABB Measurement Products
Global head of Supply Chain Management, and Sales & Operations Planning

Education

Ohio State University
MBA

Bangalore University
B.Engg., instrumentation and electronics engineering