William Alvarez
Industrial Engineer- Inventory Manager / Supply Chain Planner CVS and Coffee
William Alvarez, a seasoned industrial engineer, brings over 20 years of professional experience in demand planning, supply chain management, logistics, and inventory operations. A meticulous approach to analytics, efficient management strategies, and a collaborative mindset characterize his career. With a focus on problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making, he has consistently driven success across the roles he has undertaken.
Currently, William Alvarez of Rhode Island works as an Inventory Control Specialist for JDE Peet’s, a globally recognized coffee and tea company, on a contractual basis. In this capacity, he manages lot codes and expiration dates between the company’s third-party logistics providers and internal systems. He also prioritizes and manually fulfills orders based on the organization’s operational requirements. His role includes conducting ADHOC analyses to uncover the root causes of fulfillment issues, which he reports to internal teams and external partners. Beyond his corporate career, he invests in real estate by purchasing, renovating, and selling properties.
Contributions at CVS Pharmacy
Before joining JDE Peet, William held the position of Inventory Rx Manager at CVS Pharmacy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Over his three-year tenure, he developed and implemented significant systems and processes to improve operational efficiency. One of his notable achievements was the creation of a data and reporting framework using Tableau/BI and SQL, providing real-time insights into product performance, marketing funnels, and business KPIs. This framework streamlined decision-making processes and enhanced the company’s ability to act on key metrics.
At CVS, he further optimized inventory and planning workflows by designing SQL scripts to minimize manual tasks and improve output accuracy. He produced comprehensive reports daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly, utilizing customized tables within the SQL Oracle database. He also contributed to the "Snowflake Interface" rollout, expanding the analytical tools available to CVS’ operational and inventory teams.
William regularly conducted training sessions for the Inventory Planning team to improve their SQL scripting skills and simplify routine queries and operational procedures. Additionally, he led weekly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align forecasts across marketing, operations, and supply planning. These meetings also addressed risk management and mitigation strategies to ensure operational continuity.
William developed effective forecasting models by analyzing market trends and product demands. These models supported short- and long-term planning efforts, ensuring accurate inventory levels. He also oversaw inventory replenishment and allocation for CVS’ COVID-19 testing programs, ensuring the seamless distribution of critical supplies.
He liaised between vendors, finance teams, and senior leaders at CVS, managing monthly sales forecasts and coordinating purchase orders. His strategic approach fostered strong partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, leading to mutually beneficial outcomes.
Previous Roles
Before his time at CVS, he worked as a Global Demand/Supply Planner for Cardinal Health. He enhanced the S&OP process during his two-year tenure to align business requirements with demand and supply needs. He ensured accurate planning using statistical modeling, market analysis, and sales and product management team input. His adjustments to statistical forecasts enabled effective final net requirements for various healthcare product categories, such as syringes, thermometers, and compression stockings. He also developed forecast models incorporating insights from multiple departments, ensuring robust and integrated planning.
From 2014 to 2018, William served as Hasbro's Global Planner for Supply Chain and Operations. In this role, he managed the supply chain for globally recognized brands such as TROLLs and Disney Princesses. He oversaw a $100 million inventory flow, reallocated resources to reduce logistics costs, and met delivery timelines. His responsibilities also included tracking product development stages from manufacturing sites in the Far East to global distribution centers in over 19 locations.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a Customer Logistics Manager at Ryder Systems, managing daily operations for a key distribution center account. Based in Miami, Florida, and later in Plano, Texas, he ensured efficient planning and execution to meet client expectations.
Education and Certifications
William's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Jose Maria Vargas University in Caracas, Venezuela, completed in 2000. He further advanced his education by earning a Master of Liberal Arts in Finance from 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 skill set includes expertise in WMS systems such as SAP, ORACLE, MOVE Optum, TECSYS WMS, and Provia. He is proficient in Microsoft Office tools and has intermediate-level skills in SQL and Python. These competencies enable him to excel in data analysis, process optimization, and technology-driven decision-making. He is fluent in English and Spanish and speaks Arabic and Portuguese, further enhancing his ability to work in diverse environments.
Personal Interests
William enjoys playing the guitar, running, and engaging in fitness activities outside his professional life. In his 20s, he pursued modeling opportunities, appearing in fashion shows and commercials. He also participated in the prestigious Mr. Venezuela pageant during the early 2000s.
He is married and has three children, aged 12, 10, and five. His dedication to his family reflects his ability to balance the demands of a successful career with personal commitments.
William Alvarez continues to apply his extensive knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions in his field, pursuing professional growth and personal fulfillment.
