McLane Company, a major distributor for convenience stores, promoted Chris Smith to executive vice president and chief operating officer, according to a Thursday press release. He previously served as president of McLane Retail, a company spokesperson confirmed.
In the COO role, which is new to McLane, Smith will support the company’s growth strategy and leverage resources across McLane’s three business units — retail, restaurant and Empire Distributors — as well as corporate functions and subsidiaries to optimize operations.
Smith will continue reporting to Tony Frankenberger, McLane’s CEO, and collaborate with the executive leadership team to advance the company’s technology transformation, including investments in artificial intelligence and digital systems.
“Chris is a proven leader who understands our business, our customers and our teammates,” Frankenberger said in the announcement. “His continued leadership will help McLane build on our strong foundation, advance innovation and deliver the reliable, high-quality service our customers and suppliers expect.”
Smith joined McLane in 2021 as president of McLane Grocery. That division’s name subsequently changed to McLane Retail. Before joining the distributor, Smith’s leadership roles included senior vice president and chief supply chain officer for drug store company Walgreens Boots Alliance and executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at grocery wholesaler C&S Wholesale.
Smith’s promotion continues a busy few months for McLane. The company held its annual trade show, McLane Engage, in late August. During that event, it unveiled McLane 360, a digital platform that combines promotion ordering, delivery tracking and business insights in one place.
McLane also promoted company veteran Cassandra Matos to vice president of merchandising profitability last month.
