Walmart makes more exec moves, creates new titles

The restructuring of Walmart’s senior executive ranks continues with the latest round of appointments involving some familiar leaders in new roles with curious titles as well as some key resignations.

Walmart U.S. President and CEO Greg Foran in an internal announcement distributed Friday referenced a series of changes that were announced earlier in the week by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., president and CEO Doug McMillon. Foran described the areas the executives will lead as “Next Generation Work Streams” and characterized the moves as part of the company’s enterprise strategy.

According to the announcement, Jane Ewing, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Walmart U.S., will lead the 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 other moves, Walmart named Laura Phillips, Senior Vice President, Entertainment, Walmart U.S., to the new role of Senior Vice President, Omni-Channel Assortments. In her new role, Phillips will support the company’s enterprise strategy Compelling Merchandise work stream where she is expected to help the company win key categories by leveraging physical and digital capabilities in a more unified way, according to Foran. She will continue reporting to Andy Barron, Executive Vice President, Softlines for Walmart U.S.

Phillips’ move created an opportunity for Walmart to make other changes in the hardlines area. For example, Greg Hall, Senior Vice President, Hardlines for Walmart U.S. was named Senior Vice President, Entertainment, Walmart U.S., reporting to Andy Barron. 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.