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Bio
Experience
20+ years as an accomplished foodservice operations leader with a solid background in procurement services, contract management, and client relations
Bio
Education
Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management Florida International University Master of Business Administration Strayer University
Bio
Fun Facts
Grew up in Peru listening to rock music and going to concerts, passionate about food culture and its traditions Traveled cross-country as part of the ’95 and ’96 Lollapalooza summer tours, worked food concessions on fields and amphitheaters that fed crowds of 40,000+
What excites you about working with hospitality providers in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America region?
Working with local suppliers is rewarding at many levels. It provides valuable insight into the diverse cultures of the region. Clients can leverage existing relationships with in-country suppliers, which gives Avendra the ability to serve them better. Our primary goal is always to provide best-in-class procurement services. Avendra also develops strategic relationships with local suppliers to drive business growth, connect them with our key U.S. partners, and in many cases, help them to develop in areas like quality assurance and sustainability.
A ”best day” for our teams begins with finding savings for our clients, and progresses from there. We provide so much value for our clients beyond simple cost savings. Our experienced team members are subject-matter experts and trusted advisors who impact results and improve operational performance so our clients can focus on serving their guests. For example, we recently helped one of our clients to achieve:
- SKU rationalization – review master order guide to reduce the number of products
- Product standardization – evaluate products to select brand standards by category within the good-better-best tiers
- Supplier consolidation – aggregate volume with select suppliers fostering strategic long-term partnerships
What tool or service does Avendra provide that your clients, in particular, benefit from?
Our export program is available to all Caribbean countries and some regions in Mexico as a supplement to our in-country suppliers. Many of our clients benefit from a best-in-class network of contracted distributors in South Florida that have a comprehensive understanding of the export process and work together to maximize orders for cost-effectiveness to expedite shipping and consolidation. As the all-inclusive boom continues in the hospitality sector, more clients are relying on Avendra’s procurement programs to meet this rapid growth.
Employing strategic tools, including our export program, we not only meet but exceed client expectations by delivering solutions designed to align their strategic corporate goals with their day-to-day operations.
Do you personally travel much in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America region?
Yes, I visit often. It’s the best way to keep the different markets’ pulse and develop meaningful business relationships. I recently returned from a trip that took me through three countries in four days. I interacted with suppliers, clients, and prospects. I attended two major trade shows and had the opportunity to personally tour a cage-free eggs farm, tour master food distribution facilities, and a chocolate manufacturing plant. There’s nothing better than going directly to the source.
It’s rewarding to help our clients convert Avendra-negotiated products and services into memorable guest experiences. At the end of the day, our team knows our relationships with our clients have been strengthened.