Woolworths' new chairman-elect Gordon Cairns says Australia's largest retailer can "be great again" by appointing a strong and engaging leader as chief executive and putting customers ahead of profits.

Mr Cairns has foreshadowed a new era of teamwork and accountability at Woolworths after agreeing – in a remarkably short period of time – to take over as chairman from Ralph Waters following months of upheaval that culminated in the resignation of chief executive Grant O'Brien, the abrupt departure of BIG W boss Alistair McGeorge, a series of profit downgrades and the weakest profit results for 20 years.