Levi's management shake-up puts supply chain up front and centre

A management shake up at Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has put its supply chain and procurement function up front and centre of its goal to deliver stronger growth. 

The company said that the series of leadership moves are designed to streamline decision-making and consolidate accountability for core business growth drivers.

“As we adapt to the changing retail environment in pursuit of our long-term goals, the leadership changes we are announcing will accelerate our drive to deliver sustainable, profitable growth around the world,” said Chip Bergh, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi's has created a consolidated Product, Innovation & Supply Chain organisation led by Liz O’Neill, who has been appointed executive vice president and president.

Read Supply Chain Digital's exclusive interview with Liz O'Neil here

This new organisation combines the key product functions of design, merchandising, product development and planning into a single team; further integrates supply chain into the consumer journey; and enhances LS&Co.’s opportunity to fully leverage emerging innovations like Project F.L.X. technology.

Formerly LS&Co.’s chief supply chain officer, O’Neill brings more than two decades of apparel experience to this newly created role. She will be responsible for the end-to-end view of the product lifecycle, from ideation to what ultimately shows up in stores and online.

SEE ALSO:

• Levi's sets aggressive targets to cut emissions across global supply chain

• Levi Strauss & Co. – A supply chain transformation at one of the world’s best-recognised brands

• Levi's to transform its supply chain under new operating model

• Read the September issue of Supply Chain Digital here

A Direct-to-Consumer organisation led by Marc Rosen, executive vice president and president, has also been created.

Rosen, who previously led LS&Co.’s ecommerce business, will now be responsible for delivering a seamless consumer experience across both brick-and-mortar and ecommerce.

The company has also established a new Strategy and Analytics organisation, elevating the importance of data and analytics and pairing it with strategy to shape the future. This addition reflects the company’s belief that it has an untapped competitive advantage in unleashing the power of data and analytics.

“With these shifts, we are creating a ‘designed-for-the-future’ organization – one that is poised to take advantage of innovation and reflect how consumers shop,” Bergh said. “Levi Strauss & Co. has never been stronger, and we expect these actions to accelerate our momentum and position us to win for the long term.”