Constellation Brands Names SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Beer Division

International beverage alcohol company Constellation Brands has hired Alex Alvarez as its SVP and chief supply chain officer, beer division, effective Sept. 14. 

In his new role, Alvarez will lead the company's end-to-end beer supply chain organization, which encompasses manufacturing, procurement, planning, logistics and distribution. He will report to Jim Sabia, EVP and president, beer division.

Alvarez brings to Rochester, N.Y.-based Constellation 30-plus years of global operations and supply chain leadership experience spanning manufacturing, distribution, innovation, quality, safety, sustainability and capital management. He had leadership supply chain positions at such fast-moving CPG companies as General Mills and Procter & Gamble, as well as in the alcohol beverage industry with Brown-Forman and Suntory Global Spirits.

“Constellation Brands has built one of the most respected beer businesses in the industry, supported by a strong culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement,” Alvarez said in a statement. “I am honored to join the company and look forward to working alongside our talented teams to strengthen our supply chain capabilities, support future growth and continue delivering the quality, service and innovation our customers and consumers expect.”

Alvarez succeeds John Kester, who will retire in November after 12 years with Constellation. 

During his time with the company, Kester helped transform the company’s beer supply chain organization by establishing a centralized procurement function, integrating key manufacturing assets, expanding production capacity and building a fully integrated end-to-end supply chain network, among other accomplishments.

This article first appeared on the site of CGT sister brand Progressive Grocer.