BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart last month made high-level changes to its merchandising teams in China and the United States, the latest in a series of personnel moves undertaken as the retailer seeks to improve store operations and boost sales.
Walmart last month made high-level changes to its merchandising teams in China and the United States, the latest in a series of personnel moves undertaken as the retailer seeks to improve store operations and boost sales.
The changes were outlined in an August 20 memo to Walmart staff from Greg Foran, chief executive officer of Walmart U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets.
The memo announced that Marybeth Hays, senior vice president for the home category at Walmart U.S., would move to chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart China, with oversight of the management of merchandising, marketing, supply chain and financial services. She will report to Sean Clarke, CEO of Walmart China.
Hays succeeds John Furner, who, according to the memo, will leave the role of chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart China and move to the United States for an as-yet unannounced role.
Hays began her Walmart career in 2009 at Sam’s Club, where she was senior vice president for home and apparel. She was named senior vice president for apparel at Walmart U.S. in 2012.
The memo also announced that Rick Hays, who has served as vice president of hardware and paint for Walmart U.S., will take over as the general merchandise and merchandising officer for Sam’s Club China, reporting to Neil Maffey.
In an unrelated personnel move, Walmart announced last month that Sandra Ryan was hired as vice president of Care Clinics at Walmart U.S.
Ryan has more than 25 years of experience as a strategic senior health executive in a variety of clinical, management and leadership settings, the company noted. She most recently served as chief clinical officer at West Conshohocken, Pa.-based CareCam Health Systems.
