BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Senior Walmart executives Tom Ward, chief operating officer of Sam’s Club, and Cedric Clark, head of U.S. store operations, are departing as part of a broader management restructuring under CEO John Furner, according to internal memos reviewed by Reuters.
The leadership changes follow Furner’s appointment in February, succeeding Doug McMillon, and come as he advances a technology-driven strategy focused on expanding Walmart’s marketplace and delivery operations while appealing to higher-income consumers.
Walmart last week eliminated 1,000 positions in a move to streamline its organizational structure.
Ward is set to retire from his role at the Walmart-owned warehouse chain by the end of the month. He has spent more than a decade with the company, including serving as chief e-commerce officer of Walmart U.S.
Clark’s departure timeline has not been formally announced. The memos indicate that a new executive vice president of store operations is expected to be named within the next few weeks.
The developments, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, come as Walmart navigates ongoing inflationary pressures that continue to weigh on lower-income U.S. households.
