William Alvarez
Industrial Engineer- Inventory Manager / Supply Chain Planner CVS and Coffee
William Alvarez is an industrial engineer with a career spanning over two decades in supply chain management, logistics, demand planning, and inventory control. His experience is rooted in a results-driven approach, where efficiency and collaboration define his contributions. Known for his ability to solve complex problems and drive improvements, he has left a lasting impact on the organizations he has worked with.
Under a contractual agreement, William Alvarez of Rhode Island serves as an Inventory Control Specialist for JDE Peet’s, a globally leading coffee and tea company. He manages lot codes and expiration dates between third-party logistics providers and internal systems, ensuring seamless operations. He also handles high-priority orders manually, addressing the organization’s immediate needs. Beyond operational responsibilities, he conducts detailed analyses to identify inefficiencies in fulfillment processes and shares actionable insights with internal teams and external partners. Additionally, he invests in real estate, focusing on property renovation and resale.
Key Achievements at CVS Pharmacy
Before joining JDE Peet’s, William worked as an inventory Rx manager at CVS Pharmacy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Over his three years in this role, he successfully implemented systems and processes that elevated operational efficiency. One of his significant contributions was developing a reporting system using Tableau/BI and SQL. This framework provided real-time access to product performance metrics, marketing funnel data, and business KPIs, enabling more informed decision-making.
He also streamlined inventory and planning processes by creating SQL scripts that reduced manual intervention and improved accuracy. His expertise enabled the creation of comprehensive reports across daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly intervals, utilizing SQL Oracle databases. Additionally, he supported the integration of the "Snowflake Interface," which expanded CVS’ analytical capabilities.
William conducted training sessions for the Inventory Planning team, enhancing their SQL scripting skills and simplifying common operational tasks. He also led weekly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align marketing, operations, and supply planning forecasts. These efforts ensured coordinated strategies and effective risk management to maintain operational stability.
During his tenure, he developed forecasting models that analyzed market trends and product demand, supporting short- and long-term inventory planning. He also managed inventory replenishment for CVS’ COVID-19 testing programs, ensuring critical supplies reached network locations efficiently.
His responsibilities extended to liaising between vendors, finance teams, and senior leaders. He strengthened relationships with suppliers by managing sales forecasts and purchase orders and contributed to mutually beneficial business outcomes.
Professional Background Before CVS
William Alvarez’s career includes a Global Demand/Supply Planner role at Cardinal Health. During his two years there, he led efforts to align demand and supply through the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process. He utilized statistical modeling and market analysis to ensure accurate forecasts for various healthcare products, such as syringes, thermometers, and compression stockings. His forecasting models integrated data from sales, marketing, and finance teams, resulting in more reliable planning.
From 2014 to 2018, he worked as a Global Planner for Supply Chain and Operations at Hasbro. He managed the supply chain for globally recognized brands, including TROLLs and Disney Princesses. His responsibilities included overseeing the flow of $100 million in inventory, optimizing logistics to reduce costs, and meeting delivery schedules. He tracked products from manufacturing facilities in the Far East to distribution centers across 19 global locations.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a customer logistics manager at Ryder System in Miami, Florida, and later in Plano, Texas. In this role, he managed daily operations for a key distribution center, focusing on efficient planning and execution to meet client objectives.
Academic Credentials and Certifications
William earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Jose Maria Vargas University in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2000. He later pursued a Master of Liberal Arts in Finance at Harvard Extension School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Additionally, he holds a Forecast Business Analytics Certification from the Wharton School of Business and a Master Black Belt Six Sigma certification from Villanova University.
His technical expertise encompasses a range of tools and systems, including WMS platforms such as SAP, ORACLE, MOVE Optum, TECSYS WMS, and Provia. He is proficient in Microsoft Office, SQL, and Python, skills he uses to optimize processes and analyze data. His fluency in English and Spanish and conversational proficiency in Arabic and Portuguese allow him to work seamlessly in diverse environments.
Personal Interests and Family Life
Outside of his professional endeavors, William enjoys playing the guitar, running, and staying active through exercise. During his 20s, he worked as a model, appearing in fashion shows and commercials, and participated in the Mr. Venezuela pageant in the early 2000s.
He is married and the father of three children, aged 12, 10, and five. His commitment to his family is evident in his ability to balance a demanding career with personal life, ensuring meaningful connections at home.
William Alvarez continues to utilize his skills and experience to contribute to the success of the organizations he works with, maintaining a focus on growth and excellence in his field.