Levi’s aims to boost ‘speed and agility’ with structural reshuffle
Denim brand Levi Strauss & Co has made a series of leadership changes designed to “improve the company’s speed and agility, and further its commitment to consumer obsession and innovation”.
Liz O’Neill (pictured), chief operations officer, will retire after nearly 12 years with the company. The chief operations officer position will be replaced with a new chief supply chain officer, who will be responsible for supply chain agility, improving service levels, fostering innovation and optimising cost structure.
Karyn Hillman’s role as chief product officer has been expanded to include merchandising in addition to design. Hillman is now responsible for the overall vision, priorities and roadmap for Levi’s products and the brand.
Jason Gowans’s role also has expanded, and he is now the company’s chief digital and technology officer. Gowans will oversee both the digital and enterprise technology functions.
Harmit Singh’s role as chief financial and growth officer has expanded to include oversight of LS&Co’s transformation programme to accelerate improvements in the company’s structural economics.
Gianluca Flore, chief commercial officer, has expanded his scope and will now oversee licencing and planning, which will drive tighter alignment between sales and inventory, directive assortment and accountability for inventory management.
Bernard Bedon has joined from Nike as chief human resources officer.
Michelle Gass, CEO of Levi Strauss & Co, said: “Over the past year, we’ve made bold moves to transform Levi Strauss & Co. into a world-class denim lifestyle retailer, and we’re seeing the results. We believe success is built on clarity of purpose and the ability to adapt, and that’s exactly what we’re doing — aligning our structure with our strategy to drive sustainable, profitable growth.”
