Bottling Success

Valeria Pereda (MEM ‘24) quenches her thirst for supply chain excellence at Coca-Cola.

Valeria Pereda (MEM ‘24) still remembers nights as a young girl growing up in Venezuela, listening intently over dinner to her father’s tales of supply chain management.

Her dad was an operations director at a large consumer goods company. Those nighttime conversations helped shape Pereda's career path, leading her to become a supply planning consultant at one of the world’s most recognizable brands.

Valeria Pereda
Valeria Pereda
Pereda now manages the imports team for The Coca-Cola Company, overseeing the flow of finished goods from Mexico to the United States. Her role encompasses popular brands such as Coca-Cola de México, Topo Chico, and Barrilitos.

Witnessing her father’s work during tough times in her home country fueled her interest in the field.

“Growing up, I was fascinated by how my father managed to get products across the entire country,” Pereda said. “Over the years, as Venezuela faced numerous crises, I became even more interested in how supply chains adapted, problem-solved, and kept consumers at the center.”

That is now Pereda’s mission at Coca-Cola.

To succeed, she combines her father’s lessons with those she learned as a student in Northwestern’s Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program.

“MEM gave me the tools to translate technical knowledge into business strategy,” she said. “This prepared me to manage engineering teams effectively and connect them to broader business goals.”

Her journey with Coca-Cola began with an internship in project management while still in the MEM program. The experience paved the way for her current full-time position in supply planning.

Pereda’s role involves managing complex projects, including reviving discontinued brands and optimizing warehouse distribution. She emphasized the importance of vision and flexibility in her work.

“It requires always thinking a few steps ahead,” Pereda said. “While we plan for the next month, we must also stay aware of the present and how external factors can impact operations now or in the near future.”

The MEM program’s focus on communication has proven invaluable in Pereda's current role. She applies those lessons daily by fostering open discussions within her team and effectively conveying complex ideas to leadership.

“As engineers, we often have a deep understanding of subjects and data, but if we cannot communicate our insights clearly, that knowledge remains isolated,” Pereda said. “The ability to effectively share ideas is critical.”

Pereda takes pride in how her work impacts communities. That aspect of her job aligns with her belief in the power of effective supply chains to unite people around the world.

“A well-designed supply chain connects the world, making products from one country available across the globe — not just for the privileged few, but for everyone,” she said. “It shortens the distance between communities and helps people feel close to home.”

As she continues to navigate the world of supply chain management, Pereda remains grounded in the lessons learned from her father, her time in MEM, and her experiences at Coca-Cola.

“Just like in a supply chain, every part — and every person — must be connected, functioning, and giving their best for everything to move forward,” Pereda said. “We can’t afford to be isolated, not in a supply chain, a team, or in life.”

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