Target looks to Amazon for new logistics chief

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is hiring Arthur Valdez, a 16-year veteran of Amazon.com, as EVP, chief supply chain and logistics officer.

 

Valdez will lead Target’s supply chain transformation including planning, distribution and transportation. He will report to Target’s executive VP and COO John Mulligan.

 

Valdez has experience in both direct-to-consumer and direct-to-store operations. During his time at Amazon, he held leadership positions across the company’s global and domestic supply chain, including transportation, fulfilment and logistics. Most recently, he was Amazon’s VP of operations focused on the company’s international supply chain expansion. In addition, during his 20-plus year retail career, he also has held positions with Walmart and Kmart.

 

“While we’ve made significant progress in improving our operations, Target’s growth hinges on our ability to enhance the fundamental aspects of our business, starting with the supply chain,” says Mulligan. “Arthur’s leadership and experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to drive improvements in end-to-end processes including leveraging our almost 1,800 stores to deliver a seamless experience for our guests.”

 

Online delivery service Instacart recently hired an executive with nine years of Amazon experience as its VP of operations. Target’s move is another indication of how well-regarded Amazon’s retail logistics and supply chain program is, even among companies that have a substantial brick-and-mortar vertical or don’t even have their own fulfillment centers.

 

Interestingly, in 2002 Amazon settled a lawsuit with Walmart over its hiring of 15 Walmart operations and technology executives. Back then, e-commerce companies were trying to learn about retail from brick-and-mortar leaders. How times have changed.