Target shakes up leadership team; starts search for new chief marketing officer
Target Corp. is making some changes to its C-suite.
The discounter named Christina Hennington, currently chief growth officer, as chief strategy and growth officer, while Rick Gomez, currently chief food, essentials and beauty officer, has been tapped as chief commercial officer, overseeing Target's merchandising business. Both appointments are effective July 7.
In other changes, Lisa Roath, Target's chief marketing officer, will take on the role of chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty in early 2025. The retailer said it is starting an external search for its next chief marketing officer. Until a successor is named, Roath will remain in full capacity as chief marketing officer.
"As we execute our 2024 plans and look to the future, we're putting key leaders and capabilities in place to sustain profitable growth over the long term,” stated CEO Brian Cornell. “Today's announcement builds on our January appointment of Michael Fiddelke to chief operating officer.”
Cornell noted that as Gomez takes on full oversight of merchandising, Hennington will be dedicated to keeping Target’s strategy consumer-centric, differentiated and future-focused.
“Lisa will be an important addition to Rick's [Gomez] leadership team when she moves into her new role in 2025, bringing her prior experience and accomplishments leading our food and essentials businesses,” Cornell said. “In the meantime, we'll conduct a thorough search for a top brand marketer to succeed Lisa and build on our strong marketing foundation."
Christina Hennington
As chief strategy and growth officer, Hennington will work closely with Cornell, Fiddelke and the rest of Target's leadership team to build on the retailer's roadmap for growth, ensuring the strategy remains relevant and differentiated as the company plans into its next growth horizon.
Hennington and her team also will play a critical role in supporting the organization as it continues to evolve and modernize how it operates, including harnessing the role of technology and generative AI to enhance the working and shopping experience at Target.
Additionally, Hennington will be responsible for further strengthening relationships with Target's strategic partners and identifying new partnerships that will differentiate and drive the retailer's business. Hennington will continue to report to Cornell.
Hennington joined Target in 2003 and was named to its leadership team in 2020. During that time, she has led large, complex business areas across the company, including overseeing its multi-category merchandising business, which during her leadership generated more than $30 billion in growth. She also has spearheaded a variety of transformative initiatives for the retailer, including the sale of its pharmacy business to CVS and its industry-leading partnership with Ulta Beauty.
Rick Gomez
As chief commercial officer, Gomez will have full oversight of Target's merchandising business, including its apparel and accessories, home, hardlines, food, essentials and beauty product categories, owned brand sourcing and design and merchandising planning and capabilities.
Under Gomez's leadership, Target will continue to lean into its well-established authority in merchandising, flexing its multi-category assortment to meet the evolving wants and needs of current and prospective guests with speed and agility across its commercial businesses, the company said. Gomez will report to Cornell.
Gomez joined Target in 2013 and was named to the leadership team in 2017. Throughout his tenure at Target, he has had a significant impact on its business and brand. He played a critical role in Target's strategy reset in 2017 and the launch of its Roundel advertising business in 2019.
Lisa Roath
Early next year, Roath will take on the role of the retailer's chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty. In that role, Roath will report to Gomez. Until that time, Roath will remain in full capacity as Target's chief marketing officer and will continue to report to Cara Sylvester, Target's chief guest experience officer.
Since stepping into her role as chief marketing officer in 2023, Roath has led successful campaigns featuring the "Target Lady" and "That Target Feeling." Roath joined Target in 2006 and has held various leadership positions across the company, including senior VP of food and beverage merchandising and VP of essentials merchandising.
Roath played a lead role in the design and rollout of a large-scale transformation of Target's merchandising organization, as well as the establishment of the retailer's price and promotions center of excellence.