We recently had the opportunity to interview Marwan Raafat, E2E Strategic Supply Chain Lead at Boston Scientific. As a senior supply chain and logistics executive, Marwan is acclaimed in the industry for leading transformative initiatives across global and regional operations. Leveraging his experience at Boston Scientific, he ensures healthcare solutions are delivered with speed, precision, and impact.
Additionally, Marwan is passionate about encouraging the young talent in the supply chain landscape, leading him to share his knowledge as a freelance instructor at the American University in Cairo. With his data-driven and customer-centric leadership approach, Marwan Raafat is empowering sustainable values across the industry.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “Could you start by telling us about your professional journey and inspiration behind jumping into this industry?”
Marwan shared, “My journey started on the ground—literally. I began my career in warehousing and distribution, where I learned early that the supply chain is not just about moving goods, but about keeping promises to customers. Over the years, working with global organizations like Unilever, TNT Express, Johnson & Johnson, Emirates Post Group, and now Boston Scientific, I’ve had the opportunity to lead end-to-end supply chain transformations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
What inspired me to stay and grow in this industry is its constant evolution. Supply chain sits at the heart of every business—when it works well, growth accelerates; when it doesn’t, everything feels the impact. I was drawn to the challenge of building resilient, efficient, and customer-centric operations, and that passion has driven me for more than 15 years.”
Lessons Embraced in the Journey
We then asked, “As an expert in this field, what are a few lessons that helped you in leading your work?”
He mentioned, “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that processes don’t deliver results—people do. Systems, technology, and KPIs matter, but leadership is about empowering teams, giving clarity, and creating trust.
Another key lesson is the power of data-driven decision-making combined with practical execution. I’ve seen significant transformations—whether reducing millions in costs or achieving near-perfect inventory accuracy—by aligning strategy with disciplined execution.
Finally, adaptability is critical. Markets change, disruptions happen, and leaders must stay calm, flexible, and forward-thinking while keeping their teams motivated and focused.”
Navigating through Challenges
Every business has inevitable challenging phases. To learn how Marwan Raafat dealt with the same, we asked, “Would you like to share what you feel is a major challenge in starting a business or career? And how did you overcome it?”
“One of the biggest challenges is credibility—earning trust before results are visible. Early in my career, and even when stepping into new leadership roles, I faced environments where expectations were high and patience was limited.
I overcame this by focusing on quick wins without losing sight of long-term strategy. Listening carefully, understanding the pain points, and delivering measurable improvements helped build confidence. Consistency, transparency, and accountability played a huge role in turning challenges into momentum,” Marwan explained.
Core Offerings by Marwan Raafat
Interested to learn about the plans Marwan Raafat has set for his services, we asked him to share a bit about it with our viewers.
Marwan mentioned, “My focus is on building scalable, intelligent, and customer-centric supply chain solutions. Whether within large organizations or future advisory and transformation initiatives, my goal is to help businesses optimize fulfillment, reduce costs, improve service levels, and unlock working capital.
I’m particularly passionate about integrating operational excellence with technology—automation, advanced planning, and performance visibility—to help organizations grow sustainably while remaining agile in highly competitive markets.”
Marwan Raafat’s View on AI
Nowadays, AI is everywhere. Even businesses are adapting to it increasingly. So, we asked Marwan Raafat, “What are your thoughts on this?”
He responded, “AI is a powerful enabler—but it’s not a replacement for leadership or experience. In the supply chain, AI can significantly enhance forecasting accuracy, inventory optimization, route planning, and decision speed.
However, the real value comes when AI is combined with human judgment and strong governance. Businesses that succeed with AI are those that use it to support smarter decisions, not blindly follow algorithms. I see AI as a strategic partner that frees leaders to focus more on innovation, resilience, and customer value.”
Message to Young Professionals
Lastly, we asked, “What would be your advice to beginners in this field or in any field of business?”
“First, master the fundamentals. Technology will change, but strong operational knowledge, discipline, and ethics will always matter.
Second, stay curious and never stop learning. Invest in yourself—skills, certifications, and exposure across functions will accelerate growth.
Finally, be patient but ambitious. Success is rarely instant, but consistent effort, integrity, and resilience will always compound over time. And most importantly, remember that leadership is not about titles—it’s about impact,” Marwan commented.
Connect with Marwan Raafat on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
Find Boston Scientific on http://www.bostonscientific.com/ to learn more.
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