The Daily Recruiter

OM HealthCare Logistics has adopted RedPrairie Corporation’s warehouse management system to direct operations of its flagship third-party logistics distribution center. OM HCL is using the system for medical device and pharmaceutical distribution and management, and will also use it for kitting and serialization track and trace for its clients in the future.

“Our organization needed a solution that could handle complex domestic and international distribution requirements, as well as compliance with FDA regulations,” said Denise Odenkirk, OM HealthCare Logistics vice-president.

Volvo Financial Services has appointed Leo Hawkes as president of its Region the Americas operations, with responsibility for the North America, Latin America, and South Africa markets. He will be based in Volvo Financial Services’ Greensboro NC headquarters and report to Martin Weissburg. Hawkes replaces Weissburg, who has been appointed president of Volvo Financial Services global operations. Most recently, Hawkes was chief financial officer for the Americas.

“9 to 5” may have been a hit for Dolly Parton, but it’s no longer a hit with employees. Increasingly, workers seek flexibility, and companies have become more willing to adjust their cultures to accommodate scheduling needs.

North Charleston-based Cambar Solutions was recently named to the 2010 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100. The award, given by Supply and Demand Executive magazine, honors top supply chain and warehouse software management vendors.

Cambar Solutions was recognized for its warehouse management system, which includes radio frequency technology and handheld bar code readers.

Ryder System Inc has been awarded a dedicated contract carriage transportation contract with Marco’s Pizza Distribution LLC, the distribution service of Toledo, Ohio’s Marco’s Pizza.

Under the multi-year contract, Ryder purchased trucks as well as refrigerated trailers and hired a team of drivers and an on-site manager to orchestrate the timely delivery of products from Maumee OH to franchise stores in the Midwest. Besides providing drivers, equipment, management, and ongoing engineering support, Ryder will support Marco’s peak shipping periods, drawing upon vehicles and other Ryder resources available locally.

Supply chain management software firm, Emptoris Inc., has appointed former Aspen Technology CFO Bradley Miller as its own chief financial officer.  Miller joins the company having previously served as CFO and senior vice president of finance at Viisage Technology, which acquired SecuriMetrics and merged with Identix under Miller’s direction. He is also a former vice president of finance and controller at Sonus Networks and Sapient.

Office supply chain Staples will close a fulfillment center in Butler County, Ohio, eliminating 64 jobs. The facility was acquired when Staples purchased Corporate Express in 2008. Its operations will be consolidated into operations at the Staples location in London, Ohio.

ChemLogix Global LLC has appointed Bill Maro as Director, International Sales, and he will be based at ChemLogix’s headquarters in Blue Bell PA. Maro has served in custom brokerage and freight forwarding business development management capacities over a 10-year period with C-Air/Stile Logistics.

Electronics distributor, Arrow Electronics, recently acquired Converge Inc., a rival electronics distributor that provides reverse logistics services, allowing Arrow to enter a rapidly growing area. Terms of the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed.

GSI Commerce Inc. has appointed industry veterans Jim MacIntyre to lead its global e-commerce technology and services business and Chris Saridakis to oversee marketing services.

MacIntyre has been a special technology advisor to GSI Commerce chairman and CEO Michael Rubin since May 2009. “For the past year he has been instrumental in crafting GSI’s long-term product and service strategy and I know he will provide a relentless focus on innovation, product leadership and client satisfaction that will continue to fuel our growth,” Rubin says.

Saridakis joins GSI from Gannett Co. Inc., an international news media and marketing services company, where he was senior vice president and chief digital officer in charge of Gannett Marketing Services. “Marketing services represents a tremendous opportunity for GSI with the dramatic shift of marketing dollars moving from traditional channels to online,” Rubin says. “Given the enormous void that currently exists in the online industry for an end-to-end marketing services company, I am looking forward to having Chris build this segment into the global leader in the space. Our e-commerce clients, and the industry as a whole, are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to interactive marketing.”

Victron, Inc. recently announced that David Yu has joined the company as Vice President Supply Chain Management. Mr. Yu is responsible for expanding and managing the company’s global supply chain strategies and purchasing initiatives.

“David is a valuable addition to the Victron team, bringing world-class operational and supply chain experience. David has already proved invaluable towards our global expansion initiatives that are currently in progress and refinements within our purchasing and supply chain strategy,” stated Todd Lovejoy, Chief Operating Officer. “I look forward to his contributions in supplier relations and expanding the company’s leverage into the global marketplace.”

Polaris Industries recently named Suresh Krishna as vice president supply chain and integration. Krishna has a strong background in operations, mergers and acquisitions and strategic business leadership that spans the globe.

“We are excited to have Suresh join Polaris and bring a new dimension to our leadership team as we focus on growing our business around the world,” said Scott Wine, chief executive officer, Polaris Industries. “Suresh will play a key role in developing our international footprint while overseeing global purchasing and logistics functions with a focus on reducing costs and lead times. His proven track record of delivering results will be a huge asset and fit very well with the Company’s goals and objectives.”

Dollar General Corporation recently announced the promotion of two senior executives, John Flanigan to executive vice president of global supply chain and Bob Ravener to executive vice president and chief people officer. Ravener was previously Dollar General’s senior vice president and chief people officer. Flanigan was senior vice president of global logistics. Both executives have been with the company since 2008, and these promotions are in recognition of their contributions to the overall success of Dollar General.

“Since joining Dollar General, both John and Bob have made notable and significant contributions to the company’s growth and success,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “They are exceptional leaders and highly respected experts in their fields. They are valuable assets to our organization, and I look forward to their continued leadership and success at Dollar General.”

CryoPort Incorporated recently announced that it has appointed John (Jay) McDowell as Senior Vice President for Logistics and Operations. Mr. McDowell has more than 30 years experience as an executive in logistics, distribution and supply chain management.

“Jay will play a key role in our commercialization of CryoPort Express, which includes the opening of refurbishing centers overseas and building our capacity to handle 10,000 shipments per month by the end of 2010,” said Larry Stambaugh, Chief Executive Officer of CryoPort. “His experience and track record provide us with the management capability to grow efficiently and maintain effective relationships with customers and distribution partners worldwide.”

Dupré Logistics recently announced the expansion of its Site and Private Fleet Services group into North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina markets. The group will service the inter-branch needs of the southeast region of Univar, a long-time client.

Candy maker, Hershey, plans to cut approximately 5 percent of its workforce. The move is part of a restructuring aimed at upgrading and enlarging facilities to compete globally.

Solo Cup, a manufacturer of disposable cups and plates, plans to close three U.S. manufacturing plants and cut 1,240 jobs. The three facilities to be shuttered are located in Owings Mills, Maryland; North Andover, Massachusetts; and Springfield, Missouri.

Saddle Creek has recently acquired ServiceCraft Logistics in an attempt to meet customer needs for integrated supply chains. The merger is valuable because it provides Saddle Creek with the ability to combine packaging, warehousing, transportation, and now logistics services into an integrated service offering that creates added value for consumer packaged goods companies.

TMW Systems recently announced the appointment of Ray West as vice-president and general manager of its Nashville TN-based Innovative software business. West, a 20-year veteran of the transportation software industry was most recently vice-president of product management and general manager of the TL2000 business, based in Indianapolis IN.