GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Kinney Drugs Inc. has promoted a pair of managers and shifted the roles and duties of other staff as part of a strategic realignment of its merchandising department.
The regional drug chain said Wednesday that category division manager Cheri Taylor has been promoted to the newly created position of director of retail merchandising, and merchandise presentation supervisor Marc Baum has been promoted to category manager for general merchandise.
Several category managers’ roles and responsibilities also have been realigned, which Kinney Drugs said will enable the team to enhance vendor relations and product planning while improving product assortments.
In addition, the chain noted that Steve Harris, who recently joined the company as inventory and replenishment manager, will continue to take an active role in the implementation of supply chain software and be a key player in developing an advanced replenishment and inventory control structure.
"These changes are part of a long-term plan," Rick Cognetti, vice president of retail merchandising at Kinney Drugs, said in a statement. "We want to ensure that the necessary merchandising structure is in place to support consumer demands and Kinney Drugs’ continued success."
In her new role, Taylor will oversee the development and implementation of sales and promotional strategies as well as category management practices.
With his promotion, Baum replaces Sue Easton, who recently retired. Kinney Drugs noted that Baum retail operations experience and skills in merchandise presentation will be beneficial in the category management role.
Both Taylor and Harris report to Cognetti, and all category managers will now report to Taylor, according to the company, which operates 91 drug stores in central and northern New York and Vermont.
"This realignment positions us well for the future and will enable us to better deliver on our strategy of value, convenience and exceptional customer service while meeting the evolving needs of customers," Cognetti added.
Late last month, Kinney Drugs announced that it hired Jennifer Whalen as director of marketing as well as Harris as inventory and replenishment manager, a newly created position.
