Lululemon names product and operations chiefs and recruits for three more leaders
Lululemon has announced a new senior leadership team structure as it looks to build capabilities for its next phase of growth.
The changes have included the appointments of Maggie Gauger as president and chief product officer and Joseph Godsey as chief operating officer, effective 26 October. Both roles are newly created.
Subscribe to TRBThe activewear brand is also looking to recruit a chief brand officer, a chief communications officer and a chief technology officer.
Gauger will join from Athleta where she most recently served as president and chief executive. In her new role, she will be responsible for translating brand strategy into product that will “deeply resonate” with Lululemon customers.
Her position will bring design, merchandising, footwear, product innovation and materials science under one leader, which means the existing merchandising and design leadership teams will all report to her.
Meanwhile, Godsey will join Lululemon from Walmart Canada, where he was chief growth officer. His new position will cover sourcing and production, commercialisation, go-to-market, fulfilment, planning and allocations, and sustainability, with the aim of strengthening product quality, execution across the business, and speed to market. His main focus will be driving efficiency to accelerate product transformation and guest experience.
Heidi O’Neill, chief executive of Lululemon, said: “Lululemon is a rare, extraordinary brand, but we have work to do to build a stronger and more competitive company.
“We are establishing a deeply experienced leadership team that will work in a more coordinated manner, aligned around the strategy and execution that delivers the most impact for our guests, our communities, and our business.
“That starts with putting product, design, and innovation at the centre of how we operate, with the focus and accountability to create a stronger pipeline of differentiated product to raise the bar for our guests across every touchpoint, in stores and online.”
The company has also announced that Nikki Neuburger, chief brand and product activation officer, and Ted Dagnese, chief supply chain officer, will leave the company to pursue other opportunities. Both will remain with the business until 6 November to ensure a smooth transition.
Lululemon also gave further details on the three roles it is recruiting for.
The new chief brand officer will be the global lead for brand marketing, brand creative, store experience and community, which covers sports marketing, partnerships and social impact. Working closely with the regional marketing teams, they will be responsible for building a more distinctive and relevant expression of the brand, with a strong focus on the store experience.
Meanwhile, the chief communications officer will report directly to O’Neill and join the senior leadership team, overseeing global communications, including corporate affairs, consumer PR and internal communications. Lululemon said the change brings communications closer to company strategy and key business decisions.
The new chief technology officer will lead product and supply chain technology, digital and omni technology, corporate technology, enterprise data and AI, and cybersecurity. The role will focus on using technology to speed up processes, improve efficiency and speed to market, support a more connected, AI-enabled approach, and create more personalised customer experiences.
Lululemon said Meghan Frank will remain chief financial officer and take on interim oversight of the global brand and technology functions until a chief brand officer and chief technology officer are in place. A search is also underway for a chief strategy officer, who will report to her.
In addition, André Maestrini will continue as president and chief commercial officer, Shannon Higginson as chief legal and compliance officer, and Susan Gelinas as chief people and culture officer. Each will report to O’Neill.
