Rafael A. Vela

Advise clients in different industries on, 3PL/4PL programs, import/export hubs operations, warehousing and distribution management and best practices, supply chain management, strategic procurement, and logistics. Create and execute written procedures and implement 5S methodology to launch continuous process improvement initiatives featuring all operational areas. Introduce best practices in warehouse operations. storage, inventory management. and procurement, Develop and initiate appropriate set of KPIs.

Design of finance supply chain processes using blockchain technology and sensor-based logistics to enhance monitoring and control of cargo to reduce costs by enabling end-to-end supply chain visibility and preventing wastage by correcting cargo’s surrounding environment to ensure goods integrity. LGR Global is a Swiss-based FinTech company that provides modern digital services for fiat and crypto payments to support the growth of the EU and Silk Road Economies. The company also supports a digital trade finance system, which will automate supply chain finance for commodity trading using proven blockchain technology, smart contracts, and IoT technologies to make trade finance and cross-border money movement more automated and efficient increasing transaction speed, reducing costs, complexity, and risks while improving transparency.

Oversaw numerous consulting projects in warehouse organization and management assisted by 35 people. Defined procurement strategy. Chose and executed of ERP systems. Managed vendor inventory programs. Improved production planning. ☛ Developed outsourcing initiatives related to inventory management and procurement. ☛ Established and implemented KPIs to measure performance and detect improvement areas in procurement, complete supply chain, logistics, operations, distribution, point of sales inventory efficiency, and distribution center design.

Devised and initiated global asset management program worldwide. Supervised 68 personnel, built and simultaneously focused multilingual and multicultural asset management teams in 26 countries on 5 continents. Designed, implemented, and controlled IT asset management strategy, processes, and best practices. Initiated KPIs to measure all related activities and determined corporate communications roadmap on all asset management related issues. ☛ Devised, executed, and led IT asset management strategy saving $10M in first two years by avoiding penalty from software developers for use of unlicensed software. ☛ Introduced best practices for proper disposal of e-waste complying with environmental regulations in 18 countries. ☛ Reached complete compliance with all major software producers.

Built and led a 20-person sales and operations team in 6 countries. Directed all sales and SCM activities promoting expansion in the Caribbean basin and Central and South American countries. Established S&OP guidelines and facilitated all activities to guarantee the highest potential level of customer satisfaction. Managed all procurement, inventory, and distribution activities (local, national and international). Raised market presence to 13 countries in the Caribbean basin and Central/South America.

Managed 80 personnel in 7 countries. Spearheaded various warehouse organization and management initiatives. Defined procurement plan. Guided outsourcing programs related to inventory management and procurement. Selected and oversaw vendor inventory activities. Designed and deployed KPIs to track performance and detect improvement areas in procurement, supply chain, logistics, operations, distribution, point of sales inventory efficiency, and distribution center design.

Managed all SCM and logistics operations for the LATAM and Caribbean region supervising +400 personnel encompassing 16 countries. Delivered SAP ERP Materials Module for LATAM area, developed and implemented KPIs and best practices for all SCM functions, developed and implemented inventory redeployment opportunities program between all countries to eliminate dead and/or slow-moving inventory.. Orchestrated multiple consulting projects in warehouse organization and management for important tier 1 suppliers, actively participated in definition of procurement strategy. Directed outsourcing programs for inventory management and procurement. Also: ☛ Designed and operated vendor managed inventory initiatives. ☛ Created, executed, and led REGIONAL disaster emergency and assistance program for 16 countries to sustain operations continuity during and after natural disasters by guaranteeing adequate supply of products and components. ☛ Reduced fleet maintenance expense by 70% through outsourced model (fleet size nearly 200 vehicles) ☛ Decreased inventory by 90% in one year (about US$45M).

Joined as part of the transition team when the German company Daimler AG acquired Chrysler Corp. Implemented good practices in all processes related to procurement, warehousing, logistics, and distribution activities in the manufacturing plant in Venezuela. Directed the in-plant opening of tier-1 and 2 storage and distribution mini centers managed by suppliers and guaranteeing instant product availability to support and strengthen the manufacturing process.