Rite Aid shuffles management team; eliminates COO role

Rite Aid has realigned its management team as part of an ongoing effort to streamline the company’s operations.

The drug store retailer has eliminated the postition of chief operating officer and consolidated its pharmacy leadership. As part of the realignment, Jim Peters, COO, and Jocelyn Konrad, executive VP and chief pharmacy officer, have left the company. Both were in those roles since fall 2019.

In addition, Justin Mennen, executive VP and CIO, will expand his responsibilities to include leadership of all digital and ecommerce. His new title is chief digital and technology officer.

Last week, Rite Aid unveiled Rite Aid Rewards, a new customer loyalty program. The digital-first initiative replaces the previous Rite Aid wellness+ Rewards loyalty program.

Other management changes announced by the company  are below.

• Karen Staniforth, senior VP, clinical pharmacy services, will take on the title of chief pharmacy officer, which going forward will be focused specifically on centralized pharmacy operations in addition to her current responsibilities.
• Andre Persaud, executive VP and chief retail officer, will take over field operations for pharmacy as well as oversight of front-end operations.
• Staniforth, Persaud and Erik Keptner, senior VP and chief marketing and merchandising officer, will report directly to Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid’s president and CEO.

“The changes we announced today are part of our ongoing efforts to reduce costs and remove layers,” said Donigan. “Karen, Andre, Erik and Justin have been instrumental in bringing our full suite of retail products and pharmacy services to our customers, and I look forward to working directly with them as we execute on our omni-pharmacy strategy.”

[Read More: Rite Aid aims for end-to-end supply chain visibility]