OfficeMax cutting store managers

NAPERVILLE - OfficeMax Inc. confirmed Tuesday that its massive reorganization calls for the reduction of assistant store managers and supervisors at many of its 900 stores. The Naperville-based office supply chain said the staff cuts will not be at every store and the number of job cuts will be based on the store's sales volume. OfficeMax employs about 36,000 workers. "Until we are through the entire process, it will be impossible to figure out the exact number of employees affected," said Bill Bonner, spokesman for the chain, denying earlier reports that 2,700 workers were being cut. The job reductions will occur in the next 30 to 60 days, Bonner added. Chief Executive Officer Sam Duncan has been leading an aggressive turnaround effort at the chain, which has about 50 area stores. Managers being cut will have the opportunity to apply for lower-paid "specialist" positions which will focus on more complicated sales, Bonner said.