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John Knapp joined Boston Consulting Group in 2010. He is a core member of the Operations practice, leads the firm’s work in manufacturing and supply chain in North America, and leads the digital manufacturing (Manufacturing AI by BCG X) globally. John specializes in manufacturing, lean production systems, manufacturing network design, digital manufacturing, and supply chain. He works mostly with clients in consumer, health care, and industrial goods industries.

John has led manufacturing transformations for dozens of companies around the globe. His work has affected well over 150 plants, covering technologies as diverse as food and beverage, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and mining. The his work has created billions of dollars in bottom line impact for his clients.

Prior to joining BCG, John worked at Celanese in chemicals manufacturing operations where he held various positions in engineering and operations.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • MBA, Harvard Business School
  • BS, High Distinction, mechanical engineering, University of Virginia

Publications and Videos

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Shaking Up the Factory Floor with Digital and AI

Realizing value at scale requires a sharp focus on people and processes, even more so than on the technology backbone and algorithms.
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Generative AI’s Role in the Factory of the Future

Instead of replacing traditional AI, GenAI offers complementary use cases for assistance, recommendations, and autonomy that pave the way to the factory of the future.
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Charting AI’s Successful Course in Predictive Maintenance

The road to predictive maintenance with AI is not always a straight one, but some key strategies can help you chart a path to success.
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For CPG Companies, Necessity Is the Mother of Reinvention

Empty store aisles and widespread stockouts belie the success that many CPG companies are experiencing during the pandemic. Building new capabilities and developing supply chain resilience are key.
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CPG Companies Can Triumph Over Today's Labor Shortage

The current labor shortage is forcing the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry to implement short-term measures to attract and retain talent. Areas of focus include improving employee benefits, creating a flexible work-life balance, and increasing automation capabilities.
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The New Reality for Chief Supply Chain Officers

As CSCOs shift into a second phase of their COVID-19 response, five key actions will help them prepare for recovery.
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Delivering Essential Products to Consumers, Uninterrupted

COVID-19 has exposed the high cost of inflexible CPG supply chains. Companies must act now to ensure adequate supplies and plan for greater resilience in future.
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Under Pressure, CPG Companies Look to Digital

Improving demand forecasting, deploying the right inventory, and optimizing costs require game-changing approaches—the kind that only digital can deliver.