Experience

• Optimal Policy Consulting

  Founder

  Optimal Policy Consulting specialized in applying prescriptive analytics to optimize performance of large Asian supply chains. For example, for a large Japanese apparel distribution company, we developed and implemented an algorithm to determine the optimal inventory policy for over 10,000 SKUs based on historical demand data, and forecasts of future price and cost data. As a result of the improved ordering policy, average inventory turns increased by 45%, while average gross margins improved by 6%. For an Asian electronics component manufacturer, we formulated a novel analytical approach to assess the value of developing the secondary market in the form of B2B exchange for selling off excess inventory in the supply chain. Based on the approach, the secondary market for this supply chain was estimated to reduce total supply chain costs by as much as 4.5%. For a large chain of Asian convenience stores, we conducted a detailed analysis of inventory holding and stockout costs and, based on our conclusions, proposed that stocking decision and sales forecasts be decentralized to individual stores, due to large geograghic variability of customer preferences. The proposed strategy is currently under implementation.

• Texas A&M University

  Assistant Professor

  Alexander worked at Texas A&M University as a Assistant Professor

• Strategic Decisions Group (SDG)

  Engagement Manager

  Developed business analytic methods and software tools that enabled the establishment of a new practice area in the company focused on commodity price forecasting, and consulting services based on effective price forecasting such as asset valuation, forward and futures contract trading, and capacity investment. Provided technical leadership in implementing this price-forecasting methodology for clients in a variety of industries - chemical, agricultural, electricity, oil, natural gas, and others. From 1998 to 2002, this new practice area generated over $12M in client revenues for SDG.

• University of Texas at Dallas

  Visiting Assistant Professor of Operations Management

  Teaching:
  PRESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS (Graduate Course).
  Course Description: Prescriptive Analytics develops the knowledge of data-based mathematical models that improve decision making at every level of the organization. Applications explored will be in finance, operations management, supply chain, economics, marketing and human resources. Methods covered will include data mining, linear, integer, and non-linear optimization, data mining, decision analysis and simulation.
  
  QUANTITATIVE INTRODUCTION TO RISK AND UNCERTAINTY IN BUSINESS (Graduate Course)
  Course Description: Introduction to statistical and probabilistic methods and theory applicable to situations faced by managers. Topics include: data presentation and visualization methods, regression analysis, fundamental probability theory and random variables, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, time series forecasting, and ANOVA.
  
  Research:
  - Supply Chain Management
  - Healthcare Operations
  - Electricity Markets and Energy Policy
  

• Singapore Management University

  Associate Professor of Operations Management

  Teaching (MBA Courses):
  
  BUSINESS ANALYTICS
  Course Description: Introduction to business analytics as a process of transforming data into actions through analysis and insights in the context of business decision-making and problem-solving. Emphasis will be on applying quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis, forecasting/ extrapolation, predictive modeling, optimization and simulation to real business problems.
  
  MANAGING BUSINESS PROCESSES
  Course Description: The objective of the course is to teach how to design, manage, and execute business operations that are key to the successful business performance. Topics covered include process design and improvement, production and service delivery, resource investment and planning, process variability, inventory management, and operational risk and hedging.
  
  SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
  Course Description: This course is primarily concerned with the efficient integration of suppliers, factories, warehouses and stores so that merchandise is produced and distributed in the right quantities, to the right locations and at the right time. The course covers the major issues in supply chain management, including: production-inventory models; supply contracts; information sharing; vendor-managed inventories; third-party logistics providers; managing product variety and information technology.