NEW YORK — AK Steel Corp. has undergone a management reshuffle, and created a new position in the process.

Keith Howell has been named vice president of operations, effective immediately, according to the West Chester, Ohio-based steelmaker, while Kirk Reich has been tapped as vice president of procurement and supply chain management.

Maurice Reed has been named vice president of engineering, raw materials and energy, a new position at AK; he was previously director of engineering, raw materials and energy.

Albert Ferrara Jr. has been named senior vice president of corporate strategy and investor relations, while Roger Newport was made vice president of finance and chief financial officer.

Howell was previously vice president of carbon steel operations, according to the statement. Reich was vice president of specialty steel operations, according to the statement. Previously, Ferrara was senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer and Newport was vice president of business planning and development.

"The appointments announced today will further strengthen the company’s top leadership team and position AK Steel for the future as we focus on long-term strategic and succession planning," chairman, president and chief executive officer James Wainscott said in the statement.