Fast-food giant McDonald’s Corporation, Oak Brook, Ill., named Jose Armario as executive vice president of global supply chain, real estate development and franchising. Officials said the move came as part of a senior management shift.

McDonald's Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner said Steve Easterbrook will resign as president of McDonald’s Europe effective September 30, 2011. Easterbrook, 44, is joining the privately owned Gondola Group and will assume operational leadership of the international restaurant brand PizzaExpress as chief executive.

McDonald's said its directors elected Doug Goare, current executive vice president of McDonald’s global supply chain and real estate development, as president of McDonald’s Europe, effective October 1, 2011. Goare, 59, will oversee operations of more than 7,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 40 European countries. A 33-year veteran of McDonald’s, Goare will relocate to Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters for McDonald’s Europe. He will continue to report to Don Thompson, McDonald’s president and chief operating officer.                    

McDonald's board also elected Armario, current group president of McDonald’s Canada and Latin America, to succeed Goare as executive vice president of global supply chain, real estate development and franchising. Officials say Armario, 52, will be responsible for McDonald’s $23 billion procurement of food, packaging and premiums, worldwide purchasing and supplier relationships, and food safety and quality systems strategy.

“The three-legged stool of McDonald’s is supported by our company, our incredible franchisees, and our valued suppliers,” said Armario. “I’m looking forward to working with our talented teams around the world to maximize supply chain effectiveness and drive strategic global restaurant development.”