OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Horseheads, N.Y. -- Salient Management Co. said Monday that Paul Osinski has joined the company as senior VP commercial sales, covering the retail, manufacturing, CPG, wholesaling and direct store delivery industries.

Osinski was previously an independent consultant; before that he spent 23 years with Stamford, Conn.-based private brand sales and marketing company Daymon Worldwide, most recently as senior VP.

Osinski reports directly to Guy Amisano, Salient chairman and CEO.

Philadelphia -- A survey released Tuesday by management consultancy Hay Group, ranking the 20 best companies for in terms of leadership, said that both Walmart and McDonald’s made the sixth annual list, but incumbents Zappos and Ikea dropped out of the rankings.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores said Monday that it has extended president and CEO Bud Bergren's contract through Feb. 5, 2012, and has promoted Barbara Schrantz to COO.

Under the newly announced agreement, Bergren's contract will automatically renew annually, unless the board chooses otherwise. Schrantz will assume the role of COO on Jan. 30. She is currently executive VP sales promotion and marketing.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark said Larry Merlo will succeed Thomas M. Ryan as CEO on March 1 as part of its previously announced succession strategy.

The company had announced in May that Merlo would take the position as Ryan approaches retirement. Merlo is currently the president and COO.

Ryan will remain chairman of the board until he retires in May, at which point David Dorman will take that position. Dorman has been a director since 2006.

Sandpoint, Idaho -- Coldwater Creek announced that Jill Brown Dean has been appointed president and chief merchandising officer, effective Feb. 14. She succeeds Georgia Shonk Simmons who previously announced her intention to retire.

Dean joins Coldwater Creek with over 25 years of retail and merchandising experience in the specialty retail sector. She most recently served as president of the Limited Too division of Tween Brands.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack said Monday its chairman and CEO Julian Day is leaving and announced disappointing fourth-quarter guidance. Day, 57, will retire as chairman, CEO and a director as of its annual shareholder meeting on May 16.

The company brought on former investment banker Day -- best known for pulling Kmart out of bankruptcy -- as chairman and CEO in 2006 to help turn around results.

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse said Friday it has elected former Victoria's Secret Stores CEO Grace Nichols to its board of directors.

The appointment is effective Jan. 30.

Nichols will be the ninth member of the company's board. She worked at Limited Brands for 20 years and was CEO of Victoria's Secret Stores from 1992 to 2007. Nichols is also on the boards of Pacific Sunwear of California and of New York & Co.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. said Thursday that executive VP and chief information officer Steven Stone is leaving the company in order to pursue other interests.

Lowe’s said it has named current executive VP store operations and Lowes.com Michael Brown as Stone’s successor.

Brown will report to chairman and CEO Robert Niblock.