J.C. Penney gives two execs more private label, supply chain responsibilities

Two top merchandising and supply chain executives have been given new responsibilities at J.C. Penney after veteran executive Ken Mangone retired following a lengthy career.



Mangone served as executive VP of product development, design and sourcing and will retire effective April 1 after 39 years with the company. His responsibilities will be split among two current executives.



Val Harris was elevated from her role as president of product development, design and trend for women`s businesses to the role of senior VP, product development and design. In this new role, Harris will oversee the company`s team of more than 200 textile, technical and fashion designers based in New York City and Plano, Texas, who translate trends and develop seasonal collections for its private brands.



She will report to John Tighe, executive VP and chief merchant, ensuring seamless connectivity between merchandising and product development and design teams, according to the company.



"Val is a trusted and highly-respected member of the J.C. Penney team who, in her over 30 years at the company, has driven the product development and trend directions of many of our class-leading private and exclusive brands," said Marvin Ellison, CEO of J.C. Penney. "We are confident Val`s experience will allow us to continue delivering unmatched style, quality, and value - a high standard maintained by Ken Mangone in his many years of honorable service to the company."



In addition, senior VP of supply chain Mike Robbins was given responsibility over the company`s sourcing organization, which includes a network of international buying offices, quality control functions, social compliance teams and other global operations.



J.C. Penney said it is one of the largest importers of textiles and apparel in the U.S., sourcing from approximately 400 suppliers located in 32 countries around the globe, making it one of the most sophisticated and experienced retail sourcing organizations in the industry.