Target doubles down on improving customer experience with latest hire

MINNEAPOLIS - Target made a significant investment in improving its customer experience Thursday with the appointment of Anu Gupta to the role of SVP operational excellence. In this role, which is new to Target, Gupta will lead a dedicated team in simplifying and optimizing processes across the business to help the retailer become more agile in anticipating and meeting guests’ needs. 

 

“Anu has a proven track record of increasing effectiveness across every aspect of organizations in a variety of complex businesses, including retail," stated John Mulligan, Target COO. "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.” 

 

“My focus upon arriving at Target will be working closely with leaders to help make strides in the efforts to strengthen the fundamentals," Gupta said. "I have long admired Target and am looking forward to joining such a talented team and dynamic brand.” 

 

Gupta’s appointment comes as Target’s leadership renews its focus on improving operational fundamentals, particularly technology systems and platforms, supply chain and out-of-stocks and the guest experience. The retailer is investing a previously announced $1 billion in supply chain and technology infrastructure this year, and is putting the right teams and leaders in place to spearhead the effort.

 

Gupta will report to Mulligan beginning Oct. 12. Mulligan was recently elevated to the position of Target’s first COO.

 

Gupta previously served as VP process and profit improvement at Michaels Stores, where she led the improvement of a variety of core business processes including inventory productivity, product delivery lead times and store operations. Prior to Michaels, Gupta held an operational leadership role at Safeway and was responsible for creating strategic retail services initiatives. 

 

She joins Target from private equity investment firm Hellman & Friedman, where she was senior operating executive with oversight for improving business processes and productivity across its portfolio companies.