Target has named Anu Gupta its new SVP of Operational Excellence. In the newly created role, Gupta will lead a team dedicated to simplifying and optimizing processes to help the retailer better anticipate and meet shopper preferences and demands.
Gupta most recently served as the Senior Operating Executive at San Francisco-based private equity investment firm Hellman & Friedman, where she oversaw the improvement of business processes and productivity across its portfolio companies. She also has served as VP of Process and Profit Improvement at Michaels Stores, where she led a variety of core business processes including inventory productivity, product delivery lead times and store operations. Prior to her term at Michaels, Gupta held an operational leadership role at Safeway, where she helped create strategic retail services initiatives.
Gupta will start her tenure at Target on October 12, and will report directly to Chief Operating Officer John Mulligan.
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“Anu has a proven track record of increasing effectiveness across every aspect of organizations in a variety of complex businesses, including retail,” Mulligan said in a press release. “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.”
Gupta’s appointment aligns with Target’s increased focus on improving operational fundamentals, particularly technology systems and platforms, supply chain, out-of-stocks and the overall guest experience. By the end of 2015, Target plans to invest up to $1 billion in supply chain and technology infrastructure.
