WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Alex Perez-Tenessa, the chief beauty care merchant who helped steer CVS Pharmacy’s campaign to forge a link between health and beauty, has left the company to join e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc.

Perez-Tenessa joined CVS in January 2013 to lead beauty and personal care merchandising after the retailer promoted beauty retail veteran Cheryl Mahoney to a broader role.

Perez-Tenessa directed efforts to bring new and innovative brands to the forefront as part of the chain’s initiative to elevate its beauty care offering in support of CVS’ bigger goal of establishing itself as a leading player in wellness.

He was a force behind the retailer’s “Elevate Beauty” campaign to promote the health-beauty connection in stores.

As vice president of merchandising for beauty and personal care at CVS Pharmacy, he drove innovation in assortments, pricing and promotions.

He also worked with vendors on such projects as the recent initiative to introduce K-Beauty HQ boutiques in 2,100 CVS Pharmacy stores. The ­boutiques will feature more than 100 new products from South Korea, many exclusive to CVS.