MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. announced last month the appointment of Anu Gupta to the role of senior vice president, operational excellence.
Target Corp. announced last month the appointment of Anu Gupta to the role of senior vice president, operational excellence.
In this role, which is new to Target, Gupta is responsible for leading a team in optimizing processes across the business to help the retailer become more agile in anticipating and meeting guests’ needs.
Beginning October 12, Gupta will report to John Mulligan, who was recently elevated to the position of Target’s first chief operating officer.
Target said that Gupta brings more than 20 years of expertise that includes driving operational excellence, leveraging global operating models including outsourcing, procurement, lean six sigma process redesign and corporate development across diverse industries, including retail.
Gupta previously served as vice president for process and profit improvement at Michaels Stores Inc., where she led the improvement of a variety of core business processes including inventory productivity, product delivery lead times and store operations.
Prior to her role at Michaels Stores, Gupta held an operational leadership role at Safeway Inc.
In that capacity, she was responsible for creating strategic retail services initiatives. Gupta joins Target from private equity investment firm Hellman & Friedman, where she served as senior operating executive with oversight for improving business processes and productivity across its portfolio companies.
Target said that Gupta’s appointment comes as the company’s leadership renews its focus on improving operational fundamentals, particularly technology systems and platforms, supply chain and out-of-stocks, and the guest experience. Target reported a previously announced $1 billion investment in supply chain and technology infrastructure this year.
"Anu has a proven track record of increasing effectiveness across every aspect of organizations in a variety of complex businesses, including retail. She brings the right expertise to help simplify our operating processes to be more nimble and sustainable, an important early step as we focus on shoring up our core operations and giving guests an on-demand experience," said Mulligan.
"My focus upon arriving at Target will be working closely with leaders to help make strides in the efforts to strengthen the fundamentals. I have long admired Target and am looking forward to joining such a talented team and dynamic brand," said Gupta.
