Toys ‘R’ Us bolsters leadership team
As part of its continued long-term profitable growth strategy, Toys“R”Us has appointed a number of executives to key leadership roles.
“One of the key pillars of our “TRU Transformation” strategy is to develop high-performing, highly engaged, diverse teams, and we are assembling talent that can help lead important areas of the business and offer fresh perspectives,” said Antonio Urcelay, chairman and CEO. “With these new leaders and our internal team, we are intensely focused on looking at every aspect of the business for process improvement in making the company fit for growth.”
Debbie Lentz has been named SVP, chief supply chain officer, with responsibility for U.S. distribution and customs compliance, global importing and exporting, fleet operations and domestic transportation, reporting to Hank Mullany, president, Toys“R”Us, U.S. In this role, she oversees inventory planning and allocation as well as e-commerce fulfillment, while driving efforts to significantly improve in-stock levels in-store and online. In addition, Lentz leads logistics strategy development for the company’s international markets and efforts to improve global supply chain efficiencies, reporting in this capacity to Urcelay.
Lentz was formerly with Kraft Foods Group and most recently held the position of SVP, customer service and logistics. In this capacity, she oversaw a team across a network of distribution centers, direct store delivery branches, warehouses and large truck fleet. Prior to that, she led logistics, including global exports, fulfillment, product supply and customer service throughout Kraft’s European business. During her career with Kraft, Lentz held positions in global procurement, information systems, manufacturing operations and supply chain across the company’s multiple businesses in North America and Europe. Prior to Kraft, she worked for many years in logistics operations at Nabisco Foods Group.
Lentz serves on the board of directors of the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation and is a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
Christine Morena has been named SVP, human resources, Toys“R”Us, reporting to Deb Derby, vice chairman, Toys“R”Us. In this role, Morena provides strategic guidance and operational support to the company’s global human resources organization throughout its headquarters and regional offices, as well as stores and distribution centers in the U.S. and internationally. She is also instrumental in leading ongoing efforts to develop strong teams through employee relations and communications, as well as training and talent development. In addition, Morena oversees the company’s employee rewards and benefits programs.
Morena most recently served as principal of her own advisory services business, providing counsel to senior managers and boards on building best-in-class organizational structures and programs. Prior to this, Morena served as svp and chief human resources officer for Saks. She previously worked at AT&T for many years where she held positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in SVP, human resources, AT&T Corporation.
Joe Venezia has been named SVP, store operations, Toys“R”Us, U.S. In this capacity, Venezia is responsible for transforming the in-store experience through strong operations disciplines and customer service excellence in the company’s store network across the country. He also provides leadership for ensuring customers have a seamless in-store and online shopping experience through the company’s omnichannel offerings, including Ship from Store and In-Store Pickup. He reports to Hank Mullany.
Venezia was formerly at The Pantry, where he served as SVP of store operations for its convenience stores and quick service restaurants across the Southeastern U.S. Prior to this, Venezia served as SVP of Walmart U.S. and president for the company’s Northeast division. Before joining Walmart, Venezia was president and GM, Wells Fargo Merchant Services and worked at The Procter & Gamble Company in brand management roles of increasing responsibility, including leadership of a number of baby care brands. Venezia also served as an Airborne Ranger Officer in the U.S. Army Infantry for nine years and was deployed abroad three times. His missions included a parachute assault into Panama during Operation Just Cause and combat operations in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for demonstrated bravery.
In addition, the company recently announced the appointments of Michael Short as EVP, CFO, Toys“R”Us, and Chetan Bhandari as SVP, corporate finance and treasurer, Toys“R”Us.