Kohl's names CMO, makes other exec moves

Kohl’s Corp. has appointed an ex-Starbucks executive as its next chief merchandising and customer officer.

The retailer announced that Michelle Gass has been appointed to the newly created principal officer position of CMCO. In this new capacity, Gass has assumed oversight of all of Kohl's merchandising, planning and allocation, and product development functions. She will continue to report to Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, chief executive officer and president.

"Kohl’s had previously announced an external search for a new chief merchandising officer. However, during the course of this search, it became apparent that Michelle's passion for merchandising and new brand acquisition made her the perfect leader for our product and merchandising functions," said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, chief executive officer and president. "The close connection between our merchandising and customer engagement strategies has been a key driver in the progress we have made in the early stages of our three-year plan with the goal of becoming the most engaging retailer in America. Our merchandising, planning and allocation, and product development functions are all led on a day-to-day basis by very seasoned and talented executives. I believe Michelle is the perfect leader of these executives, providing the vision and strategic direction we need to accomplish the ambitious goals we set in our three-year plan and overarching Greatness Agenda.”

Gass, who has been credited with playing a key role in Starbucks' turnaround of a few years ago, joined Kohl's in June 2013. The company says she willretain direct responsibility for Kohl’s overall customer engagement strategy, including the company's marketing, public relations and social media efforts.

In light of Gass' new responsibilities, Mansell has assumed direct oversight of the company's digital and e-commerce strategies and operations.

Kohl's has commenced an external search for a Chief Operating Officer, a newly created principal officer position. The chief operating officer will have direct responsibility for the company's store operations, logistics and supply chain network, information and digital technology, e-commerce strategy and operations, and store construction and design. In the interim, these functions are all being overseen by Mansell. Along with Gass, the chief operating officer is expected to be a potential candidate to succeed Mansell upon his eventual retirement.

Kohl's also announced that Wesley McDonald and Richard Schepp have been promoted to principal officer positions. McDonald will assume the newly created principal officer position of Chief Financial Officer. He previously served as senior executive vice president, chief financial officer. In this new capacity, McDonald will continue to report to Mansell, overseeing Kohl’s financial planning and analysis, investor relations, financial reporting, accounting operations, tax, treasury, non-merchandise purchasing, credit, and capital investment strategies.

Richard Schepp will assume the newly created principal officer position of Chief Administrative Officer. He previously served as senior executive vice president, human resources, general counsel, and secretary. In this new capacity, Schepp will continue to report to Mansell, overseeing Kohl's human resources, legal, risk management and compliance, real estate, and business development functions.

Kohl’s is a leading specialty department store with 1,164 stores in 49 states.