Walmart elevates exec to omnichannel role
With retail executive titles becoming increasingly exotic, credit Walmart for coming up with an unusual sounding title for a position that other retailers might describe as chief omnichannel officer.
The executive in question, Walmart Senior Vice President of Entertainment Laura Phillips, was named Senior Vice President of Omnichannel Assortments, according to an internal announcement by Walmart last Friday. In her new role, Phillips will support what Walmart is describing as its enterprise strategy “Compelling Merchandise” work stream where she is expected to help win key categories by leveraging physical and digital capabilities in a more unified way. She will continue reporting to Andy Barron, Executive Vice President, Softlines for Walmart U.S., according to the announcement from Walmart U.S. president and CEO Greg Foran.
Phillips’ new role was among a series of senior executive changes that involved some familiar leaders in new roles with curious titles as well as some notable resignations. For example, according to the announcement, Jane Ewing, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Walmart U.S., will lead the company’s Next Generation Stock-Up work stream. Jeff McAllister, Senior Vice President, Walmart Innovations, will lead the Next Generation Supply Chain work stream and Latriece Watkins, Senior Vice President, Snacks and Beverages, Walmart U.S., will lead the Ways of Working work stream.
“I’m very excited to see what Jane, Jeff and Latriece will bring to their new roles,” Foran said in the announcement.
With Phillips moving to an omnichannel role, her job as the company’s top entertainment merchant will be filled by Greg Hall, Senior Vice President, Hardlines for Walmart U.S. Filling Hall’s role is Terry Price who rejoins Walmart after most recently working for Tesco. Price spent 22 years with Walmart and its Asda division in the United Kingdom before he left the company in 2003.
Along with the promotion of several new executives to work stream roles, Walmart disclosed the retirement of several key executives. The most noteworthy from a merchandising standpoint was the resignation of John Aden as Executive Vice President, Sales Innovation, Walmart U.S. Aden held a variety of roles at Walmart in areas such as U.S. merchandise services, small formats, general merchandise and hardlines, as well as the company’s international operations and leverage teams.
Another key departure involved Bryan Miller, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Walmart U.S. Miller was with Walmart since 1998 and held of variety of roles in the company’s domestic and international human resources divisions