OfficeMax vet assumes reigns of Walgreens’ supply chain management

 

 
April 18, 2012 | By Michael Johnsen
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has named Reuben Slone as SVP supply chain management, where he will have leadership responsibility for distribution, transportation, systems integration and engineering, Lean and Six Sigma supply chain initiatives and community outreach.

Slone will join Walgreens May 16 and will report to Walgreens president of community management Mark Wagner.

“Reuben has deep experience in leading supply chain operations, improving service and efficiency and driving innovation in the management of inventory from distribution centers to the stores,” Wagner said.

Slone comes to Walgreens from OfficeMax, where he served as EVP supply chain and general manager of services. In his eight years with OfficeMax, he was responsible for inventory management, transportation and warehousing, strategic sourcing, real estate, store development, facilities, print and copy, business-to-business technology, managed print services and break room and facilities maintenance products businesses. In addition, Slone managed front-end inventory at OfficeMax and oversaw supplier development. Prior to joining OfficeMax, Slone held various executive positions with Whirlpool, General Motors, Federal-Mogul, EDS and Ernst & Young.

Slone also serves as secretary of the board of directors of Aspire of Illinois, a nonprofit organization serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Slone takes over supply chain management responsibility from Randy Lewis, who is transitioning to a new role with the company. Lewis will continue to help advise on the company’s programs for people with disabilities and will play a critical role in several of Walgreens key strategic initiatives.

“Randy has been and continues to be a valued leader at Walgreens,” Wagner said. “He has led the supply chain organization for 16 years with integrity, innovation and compassion. We are pleased that we will continue to benefit from his experience as we extend our ground-breaking hiring program for people with disabilities. Randy also will assist with Reuben’s transition and other strategic initiatives that take advantage of his 20 years with Walgreens.”

Panera COO John Maguire leaves to head Friendly’s as CEO

 
April 18, 2012 | By Ron Ruggless

 

John Maguire has resigned as chief operating officer of Panera Bread Co. to become chief executive of Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC, which emerged earlier this year from bankruptcy, the bakery-café chain said Tuesday.

Panera Bread said Charles Chapman III, currently executive vice president of development and licensing for the St. Louis-based company, would succeed Maguire. The changes will be effective May 31.

At Wilbraham, Mass.-based Friendly’s, Maguire will succeed Harsha Agadi, who stepped down in early February as CEO but remained on the board of the 387-unit family-dining chain. Friendly’s COO Jim Parrish has filled the CEO spot on an interim basis.

Friendly’s filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2011 and emerged in January after closing 100 restaurants and shedding much of its debt.

Chapman joined Panera’s board in January 2008 and became chief operating officer in 2011. Previously, he served as chief operating officer at International Dairy Queen and held executive positions at Bruegger’s Bagels and Darden Restaurants Inc.

In March, Panera founder Ron Shaich returned to the chief executive suite in a title-sharing position with Bill Moreton, who remained as president and became co-CEO.

Panera Bread Co. owns and franchises 1,541 bakery-cafes under the Panera, St. Louis Bread Co. and Paradise Bakery & Café brands.