Target announced changes to its executive team on June 25, kicking off the search for a new chief marketing officer and continuing leadership shifts that began in January.

Among those starting new roles at Target will be Christina Hennington, becoming chief strategy and growth officer; Rick Gomez, who will be chief commercial officer; and Lisa Roath, who will take over as chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty. The moves will not all happen at the same time.

Target’s new leadership team changes

Lisa Roath, chief marketing officer at Target | Image credit: Target

“As we execute our 2024 plans and look to the future, we’re putting key leaders and capabilities in place to sustain profitable growth over the long term,” said Brian Cornell, chair and CEO at Target. “Today’s announcement builds on our January appointment of Michael Fiddelke to chief operating officer and will further accelerate progress on our growth initiatives.”

Cornell elaborated on the new assignments for all three members of its leadership team. At the same time Fiddelke was named chief operating officer in January, Target also moved Gomez from chief food and beverage officer to the role of chief food, essentials and beauty officer under Hennington.

“As Rick takes on full oversight of merchandising, Christina will be dedicated to keeping our strategy consumer-centric, differentiated and future-focused,” Cornell explained. “Lisa will be an important addition to Rick’s leadership team when she moves into her new role in 2025, bringing her prior experience and accomplishments leading our food and essentials businesses.”

Roath, who has been with Target since 2006, will vacate her position as Target’s chief marketing officer when she makes that transition.

“In the meantime, we’ll conduct a thorough search for a top brand marketer to succeed Lisa and build on our strong marketing foundation,” Cornell stated.

While Target’s search for a new chief marketing officer is underway, Roath will continue in her current capacity, reporting to Cara Sylvester, chief guest experience officer at Target. Target credited Roath with leading its “Target Lady” and “That Target Feeling” campaigns. The company also noted her work on the design and execution involved with its revamped merchandising organization and creation of Target’s price and promotions center of excellence.

Target’s ecommerce sales by year

Target is No. 5 in the Top 1000. The database is Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of North America’s online retailers by web sales, where it is categorized as a Mass Merchant. Digital Commerce 360 projects that Target’s total online sales for 2024 will be $19.46 billion.

Gomez’s new role as chief commercial officer

Rick Gomez, incoming chief commercial officer at Target | Image credit: Target

Gomez, who arrived at Target in 2013 and eventually became a member of its leadership team in 2017, will report directly to Cornell when he takes on his new responsibilities July 7. His portfolio will include merchandising at Target, encompassing the apparel and accessories, home, hardlines, food, essentials and beauty product categories, as well as owned brand sourcing and design and merchandising planning and capabilities, according to details released by the retailer.

Target lists Gomez’s contributions during his time there to date as aiding its 2017 strategy reset, in addition to the 2019 launch of Roundel, Target’s retail media network. Most recently, as chief food, essentials and beauty officer, his team worked with Good & Gather and Favorite Day, among other owned brands at Target.

As he moves under Cornell, Hennington’s appointment to chief strategy and growth officer will also become effective on July 7.

Target’s growth plan

Hennington’s new position puts her in a key place as Target looks look improve upon its performance so far in 2024. Target lists operational modernization, including the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), among her upcoming priorities. She will also report to Cornell.

In addition, Hennington will be tasked with developing strategic partnerships and building new ones.

Christina Hennington, incoming chief strategy and growth officer at Target | Image credit: Target

She has been with Target since 2003 and its leadership team since 2020. During her two decades there, she has worked on multicategory merchandising, where her work led to $30 billion in growth, according to Target. Other milestones for her have involved Target’s sale of its pharmacy business to CVS and partnering with Ulta Beauty.

Ulta is No. 39 in the Top 1000. It is also the fourth-largest online seller in the Health & Beauty category in the U.S., according to Digital Commerce 360, behind Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., iHerb Inc. and Amway.

Target’s first-quarter results in 2024 showed total sales at a two-year low for the period, revealing difficulties despite a year-over-year increase in digital sales for the first time in more than a year. The company recently announced price reductions at its stores and is currently preparing for its July Target Circle Week sales event, which is scheduled to overlap with Walmart’s own Walmart Deals event and conclude ahead of Amazon’s Prime Day dates for 2024.

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