Optimizing Procurement, Elevating Talent.
Forward helps growing businesses strengthen procurement and connect with the talent they need to move forward.
Forward is a procurement consulting and recruiting firm that helps growing companies and private equity-backed businesses build stronger procurement capabilities and teams. We believe procurement can do more than reduce costs - it can improve how a business operates, strengthen supplier relationships, and create a foundation for sustainable growth.
Our consulting services focus on indirect procurement: the goods and services that keep your business running. We help organizations gain visibility into spend, identify savings opportunities, develop category and sourcing strategies, improve procurement processes, and establish effective supplier programs. Whether you are building a procurement function, addressing a specific challenge, or strengthening an existing operation, we translate business priorities into clear plans and practical solutions.
We also help businesses find the talent needed to execute those plans. Our specialized procurement and supply chain recruiting services connect organizations with professionals who bring the expertise, judgment, and leadership to make a lasting impact. By understanding both the work and the people behind it, we help clients build teams that fit their needs and ambitions.
At Forward, we work alongside your team to understand your business, align with your goals, and build solutions your people can put into practice. Our approach combines strategic thinking with hands-on support, helping you make progress today while preparing for what comes next.
Trusted Advisors
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Alec Diaz is a forward thinker who believes today’s decisions lay the foundation for tomorrow’s success. As Founder & Principal Consultant of Forward, he helps businesses turn indirect procurement into a driver of savings, operational efficiency, and long-term value.
Alec earned his bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Marketing from Appalachian State University (go ’Neers!) and his MBA with a focus in Project Management from Wake Forest University (go Deacs!). He also holds the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designation and Supply Chain Procurement Certificate through APICS/ASCM, reflecting his commitment to continued learning and professional growth.
With six years of experience in supply chain, including a recent focus on indirect procurement, Alec brings a collaborative, practical approach to his work. He enjoys connecting teams across the business, uncovering opportunities, and translating strategy into meaningful results.
Through Forward, Alec is excited to partner with clients to strengthen procurement, build capable teams, and create lasting value.
Alec Diaz, MBA, CSCP
Founder & Principal Consultant
Values & Impact
Integrity
We maintain the highest professional standards, ensuring transparency and accountability in every procurement strategy we execute.
Performance
Driving measurable business results by transforming structural inefficiencies into high-performing procurement operations.
Excellence
Attracting and elevating elite talent to lead your organization through complex market transitions with precision.