Sept 16 (Reuters) - Starbucks ( SBUX ) said on Monday

that its North America CEO, Michael Conway, had decided to

retire after about 11 years at the coffee chain.

The move comes amid newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer

Brian Niccol's turnaround plan focusing on Starbucks' ( SBUX ) operations

in the U.S.

Conway assumed the role as North America CEO in April this

year as the company was grappling with weak demand for its

pricey lattes in the U.S.

Niccol, who took over from Laxman Narasimhan in a surprise

appointment last month, said in an open letter that he would

initially focus on ensuring the U.S. stores deliver drinks and

food on time, as well as re-establishing the coffeehouse culture

at its outlets.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) will not backfill the role of North America CEO

upon Conway's retirement, and the company's North America retail

operations head, Sarah Trilling, would report directly to

Niccol.

Conway would stay on as an executive adviser through the end

of 2024, Starbucks ( SBUX ) said in a post on its website.

Prior to becoming North America CEO, Conway was the group

president of Starbucks' ( SBUX ) international and channel development.

He also served as the president of the company's Canada

business, as well as its licensed stores segment for the U.S.

and Latin America, among other roles.