Naperville, Ill. – OfficeMax has hired Ronald Lalla as executive
VP, chief merchandising officer, effective March 19.
Lalla, formerly chief merchandising officer and chief technology
officer for Katz Group, a Canadian drug store chain, will serve as a member of
OfficeMax’s executive committee and will have responsibility for all aspects of
enterprise-wide merchandising, including category management, strategic product
planning, global sourcing, private label expansion and cost-of-goods-sold
initiatives.
He will report to retail president and executive VP Michael
Lewis.
Lalla is OfficeMax’s second senior-level hire this month,
following the appointment of former ADT division president John Kenning as contract
president and executive VP.
In February the No. 3 office-supply chain reported a 76 percent
decline in fourth-quarter profits due to inventory markdowns, higher fuel costs,
increased promotional activity and one-time charges.