Target on Tuesday announced a senior leadership reshuffle, naming long-serving executive Lisa Roath as its operating chief as the Minneapolis-based retailer presses to revive sales under the direction of new CEO Michael Fiddelke.
Roath joined Target in 2006 and has occupied multiple leadership roles during her tenure. Prior to this promotion she ran merchandising for food, essentials and beauty categories. Her elevation to the operating chief position is part of a series of management changes implemented as Fiddelke settles into the chief executive role he assumed earlier this month.
The company said the personnel adjustments are intended to streamline operations and cut costs. In a related move announced a day earlier, Target said it would eliminate roughly 500 positions in office and supply-chain functions.
On Tuesday the retailer also named Cara Sylvester as chief merchandising officer. At the same time, Target said Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez will depart the company.
Commenting on the reorganization, Fiddelke said in a statement: "These leadership changes align the right talent and expertise with key roles, and simplify our structure so we can advance our strategy with greater speed, clarity and accountability."
Target reiterated its financial expectations, saying it still anticipates reporting fourth-quarter 2025 sales and full-year adjusted profit in line with its prior forecast.
The reshuffle reflects a concentrated effort by the incoming CEO to reposition the company’s leadership team to support operational improvements and cost reduction. The appointments consolidate merchandising leadership and create a new operating chief role filled by an internal executive with long-standing experience across the retailer’s categories.
Context and implications
- Leadership changes are focused on accelerating strategic execution by simplifying the company structure.
- The reduction of about 500 office and supply-chain roles underscores an emphasis on lowering overhead and improving efficiency.
- The company has maintained its previously issued near-term financial guidance for fourth-quarter 2025 sales and full-year adjusted profit.