Department store Myer has implemented major staffing shifts across some of its executive and senior leadership roles this week, with many roles yet to be filled permanently.
In an internal email to all staff and read by Ragtrader, Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth confirmed the changes, which cover departments such as supply chain management, IT and core product categories including fashion.
In the fashion and beauty department specifically, Wirth confirmed that two new roles have been created: general merchandise manager for beauty, accessories and services, and GMM of women’s apparel.
Belinda Slifkas will take interim responsibility for the new women’s apparel role in conjunction with her current portfolio GMM of apparel, home, and entertainment. Wirth said Myer will appoint a GMM of beauty, accessories and services soon.
As a result of these changes, GMM of womenswear, intimates, footwear, accessories and beauty Annabel Talbot will be leaving the business. Wirth thanked Talbot for her contribution.
This comes amid a potential merger between Myer and Premier, with the department store considering taking on Premier Retail's five retail subsidiaries Jay Jays, Just Jeans, Jacqui E, Dotti and Portmans.
Other key shuffles across Myer include the upcoming exit of both the executive GM of supply chain Tony Carr and chief merchandise officer Allan Winstanley.
Carr and Winstanley already announced their departure from Myer in March this year, with both returning to the UK to be closer to their families. They will be leaving this month.
Chief operating officer Tony Sutton, with the support of supply chain leads Mark Earl, Nick Galliano and Alistair McDonald, will oversee the role until Carr’s replacement is appointed.
Wirth added that an executive search is “well progressed” to fill the chief merchandise officer role and in the interim GM of merchandise planning Chris Pitts will act as CMO.
Meanwhile, chief information officer Ben Fitzgerald has exited the business this week with head of IT delivery Michelle Symes and head of application services Loukas Kanellos assuming acting responsibility for the IT function reporting to chief customer officer Geoff Ikin.
After 36 years with Myer, Tim Clark has decided to retire as executive GM of property, store design and development on March 31 next year.
“Tim has made an enormous contribution to Myer and at the appropriate time next year, we look forward to recognising his dedication and commitment to the business,” Wirth wrote in the email.
“We are also establishing a new role today of chief transformation officer and I’m pleased to announce that Andrew Taylor has accepted this position. Andrew joins Myer after a long career at Qantas and will play an integral role in driving our strategic goals.”
Wirth also announced flips across digital, supply chain and store operations in the senior leadership team.
“As we continue to increase our focus on capturing more online sales growth, I’m pleased to announce a new role of general manager – digital commerce, which will be filled by Warwick Blunt from November,” Wirth confirmed. “Warwick has worked across large corporate, growth equity and start up digital businesses in the United States including Walmart, Food52 and Cedar Brands.”
“In further bolstering of our Supply Chain team, we recently welcomed Nick Galliano to Myer in the role of general manager supply chain development, replacing Paul Howes.”
Meanwhile, the GM of stores across Victoria and Tasmania Susan Braidwood will depart from the business after 36 years with Myer. Wirth said she has made a huge contribution during her tenure, including leading the redevelopment of the Melbourne City Store.
GM of retail support Travers Finniss will assume responsibility for the portfolio.
“Finally, I recognise this is a detailed note touching on some significant changes to the team. The changes are designed to establish the right structure to build our capability and support our next phase of growth,” Wirth concluded.
“I am confident that we have a great team in place and will continue to attract high-calibre executives for new and unfilled roles in the weeks ahead as we build a stronger business for the future.”
The recent leadership changes follow a challenging year for the department store, with total sales down 2.9 per cent in FY24 compared to the prior financial year.
Myer’s net profit after tax (NPAT) also fell by around $20 million to positive $52.6 million, with approximately half the decline attributable to the underperformance of its Sass & Bide, Marcs and David Lawrence brand subsidiaries.