Apparel retailer Charlotte Russe has named a new chief supply chain officer, promoting Senior Vice President Ed Wong to the post with a charge to leverage new technologies to improve the company's supply chain operations.

Wong joined the company in December 2003 and oversees the information technology organization, planning and allocation functions and merchandise supply chain.

Based on a news release from SDCE, Charlotte Russe said that, in his new capacity as chief supply chain officer and executive vice president, Wong's role will evolve to include an even greater focus on the strategic implications of emerging technologies and their utilization in the business to improve customer service, operational efficiencies and improved inventory turnover.

"Ed Wong continues his legacy of designing and executing an aggressive strategic plan for the implementation of IT and supply chain systems to improve our business practices, which directly contribute to our company's operating margin objectives," said Mark A. Hoffman, president and CEO of the retailer.

"In his broadened role, his strategic planning skills are expected to benefit us with the implementation of a new state-of-the-art [point of sale] technology platform, enhancements to the robust inventory planning and allocation tools installed during the past two years, and exploration of the potential for markdown optimization systems for the business," Hoffman added.

Charlotte Russe also promoted Patti Shields to general merchandise manager. Shields joined the company as a senior vice president in August 2005,with responsibility for apparel merchandising for the Charlotte Russe stores. In her new capacity, her role is expanded to include the accessories business and the direct import function.