Ricardo Parra
Supply Chain Manager - Andean Region, Philip Morris International
18 years of cross-functional experience in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Planning and Development, and Information Management Systems.
Extensive experience at manufacturing and distribution facilities, leading different functions, developing and executing initiatives to drive performance improvement, meet budget objectives and build organizational capabilities.
Supply Chain optimization and Operations Planning , from setting strategy, objectives and metrics, to implementing infrastructure in order to improve service level and balance resources through the value chain
Customer and Supplier Relationship Management, development of agreements with both customers and suppliers to define replenishment models, optimize flow of goods, establish mechanisms to increase quality of service and identify win-win solutions.
Creative and strategic mindset with financial and business acumen. Capable of research and interpret facts and data, and then transform it into actionable information.
Proficient in effectively communicating ideas/proposals to diverse audiences, from communicating and setting directions to unionized workers, up to presenting regional operations results and strategies to senior management.
1 contactLeading Supply Chain function for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. This includes planning process to align demand & supply and optimize inventory levels, company-wide procurement of materials, supplies and services from 1000+ suppliers, and all inbound and outbound logistics - warehousing, material handling, imports & exports, 3PL’s , and distribution of finished goods through different channels.
2008 - 2009Managed operations planning and analysis activities for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Directing strategic planning cycles, rolling forecast, budget control, and roll-out of regional and global initiatives. Modeled scenarios for optimal footprint, defining capacity, labor, sourcing and P&L impacts.
2003 - 2008Operations Support Manager
Provided analytical support to the PM USA Manufacturing Center, leading strategy game plan process, revamping the information infrastructure to provide adequate reporting tools, and managing the facility manning function to provide long and short term planning of factory labor requirements. Additionally implemented the plant scorecard for the Pay for Performance and Incentive Compensation programs, and supported a major capacity consolidation project.
MBA Associate.
Lead diverse projects to evaluate productivity and quality impact of topics such as workers absenteeism, brand changes, and maintenance reliability programs. Developed the manufacturing scorecard initiative, defining processes and infrastructure, and identifying relevant KPI’s for all functional areas.
1996 - 2000Customer Service and Planning Manager
Directed customer service and inventory planning functions, developing different solutions for customers based on their products specifications and inventory turnover. Developed and successfully implemented a business model for outsourcing procurement, warehousing, and distribution for fast-food restaurant chains, driving the transformation of the company from a public refrigerated warehouse to a third party logistic operator.
Information Systems Manager
Designed and installed a reliable technology platform to support company’s growth, including an inventory and warehouse management system with automatic data capture from weighting scales, barcode readers, and temperature devices.
1993 - 1996Developed and implemented numerous projects in diverse industries such as, the first automation of movie theaters in Venezuela, an information management system for a corporate medical services provider, a point of sale solution for several retail establishments and an order tracking systems for an expanding parcel shipper company.