Department store chain taps exec to head up tech center in India

J.C. Penney is shoring up its commitment to its new technology lab in Bangalore, India.



The chain has tapped Snehil Gambhir as VP and managing director of its global in-house center (GIC). Tasked with leading all operations at the company’s GIC, he will support and expand a variety of key business functions, including IT, digital, store operations, analytics, marketing, infrastructure and merchandise operations.



The 150,000 sq. ft. lab, which opened in August, is focused on enhancing Penney’s internal IT systems and developing digital, e-commerce and analytics solutions. The facility, which employs approximately 1,000 associates, was opened as a means of improving operational costs, the retailer said.



Gambhir is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of global business and technology experience. Prior to joining J.C. Penney, he was COO for Aviva Life Insurance India, where he was responsible for all strategic and operations leadership of Aviva's Service Delivery functions.



Prior to that, Gambhir spent 10 years at GE in roles of increasing responsibility, including contracts and cost out leader for GE Oil & Gas; business leader for GE's GENPACT Center of Excellence; and quality, operations and digitization leader for GE Corporate, Global Business Services.