Karthik Rai K

About Karthik Rai K

With 20 years at the intersection of industrial operations and strategic advisory, I help asset‑intensive companies strengthen operational resilience, govern capital investments, and navigate digital transformation. My career spans both the plant floor and the boardroom—from hands‑on engineering and maintenance leadership to technology consulting and Big 4 advisory at the Director level.I played a key role in commissioning and steady-state maintenance of the world’s largest LDPE plant (400 ktpa, LyondellBasell license) at Reliance Industries, where I was recognized as a top performer among employees through the CAP program in 2017. This experience gave me a deep practitioner’s understanding of taking billion‑dollar assets from blueprint to steady operations—safely, on schedule, and within robust governance frameworks. Earlier, at Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers, I worked across maintenance, reliability of critical machinery, specialty fertilizers, and capital project execution including a major feedstock conversion project (Naphtha → Natural Gas).Across EY-Parthenon and Accenture (7+ years), I have advised C‑suite and business leaders in oil & gas, chemicals, fertilizers, mining, energy, and utilities on operational excellence strategy, capital project governance, ERP‑enabled digital transformation, and maintenance & reliability optimization. Having worked across multiple countries, I bring a cross‑sector, global perspective that enables objective and independent counsel.My professional journey has taken me across India and abroad, including the USA, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Thailand, UAE, Brunei, Qatar, and Oman. I hold an Executive General Management credential from IIM Bangalore and have cleared the IICA Independent Director examination. I am passionate about contributing to leadership teams of asset‑intensive companies by bridging strategy formulation with on‑ground execution—helping organizations scale ethically, sustainably, and with well‑managed risk.Areas of Contribution:Digital Transformation Strategy | Operations Excellence | Maintenance & Asset Performance | Operational Risk Management | Capital Project Governance | Strategic Growth Advisory | ESG & Sustainability Oversight

Experience

1. Director - Strategy & Transformation

   EY-Parthenon

   Apr 2025 — Present · Bengaluru, IN

   Lead strategy and operational transformation engagements for asset-intensive clients across oil and gas, chemicals, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Provide advisory on operational excellence, digital transformation roadmaps, and business growth strategy to C-suite and board-level stakeholders.

Education

• Visvesvaraya Technological University

  Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), Mechanical Engineering

  2002 — 2006

• Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

  Executive General Management Program (EGMP), General Management

  2012 — 2012