Walmart has announced broad changes to its senior management team highlighted by the promotion of Tom Ward as the chain’s executive VP-chief e-commerce officer, effective February 1, and Charles Redfield as executive VP-chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. Ward will replace Casey Carl, who is retiring, and Redfield will fill the role held by Scott McCall, who is also retiring.
Carl, a former Target executive, joined Walmart in late 2020 and was promoted to his current post after Mark Lore (founder of jet.com which Walmart acquired for $3.3 billion in 2016) resigned. McCall joined Walmart almost 30 years ago, initially at a store in his native Mississippi. Working his way up through the company ranks, McCall was promoted to the executive VP-chief merchandising offer in January 2020.
Ward’s new duties include oversight of pickup and delivery services for Walmart U.S., Walmart Fulfillment Services, Walmart (third party) Marketplace and Omnichannel returns. Born in England, Ward joined the Bentonville, AR-based mass merchant in 2013 after beginning his career with UK-based mass merchant Asda, a company Walmart once owned but which it sold a majority of its interest in last year. Prior to being named to his new post, Ward served as senior VP of U.S. last-mile delivery, which also included the retailer’s InHome delivery, in addition to other relatively new high tech services that Walmart now offers – droning, electronic vehicle and autonomous vehicle delivery services.
In his new role, Redfield will oversee all merchandise categories across more than 5,300 stores in the U.S. A native of Bentonville, he began his career 34 years ago as a part-time cashier at Sam’s Club while attending the University of Arkansas. Redfield has risen through the ranks to hold key merchandising roles for the company at Sam’s Club and Asda. Since 2015, he has been executive VP-food for the U.S. where he was responsible for overall strategy, assortment, private brands and sourcing for food categories.
In another key announcement, Janey Whiteside, executive VP-chief customer officer for Walmart U.S., will leave the world’s largest retailer in March. The former American Express executive joined Walmart in March 2018 as the chain’s first CCO. According to a memo from John Furner, Walmart’s president and CEO of the U.S., “She spearheaded rethinking our business through the eyes of an omnichannel customer. That journey led to significant progress for the customer, including the move to one app and website, and the design and launch of our first membership program, Walmart+. Janey also launched Walmart Connect, established our product team, reshaped our financial services business and created a new look and feel for stores, which is rolling out now nationwide. While we are sad to see her go, we respect her decision and wish her all the best.”
According to Furner, Walmart is currently searching to fill Whiteside’s slot, while announcements about Ward’s and Redfield’s former positions will be announced at a later date.
Late last year, Walmart also announced that its CFO, 22-year veteran Brett Briggs, plans to exit the company in January 2023.
