Woolworths has restructured its supermarket leadership team
New CEO Amanda Bardwell has put her stamp on Woolworths, creating a retail division that will oversee its supermarkets, convenience stores, meat supply and private label groceries.
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Recently appointed Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell has pushed through a restructure of the supermarket giant’s flagship food operations to create a new business unit called Woolworths Retail that will span supermarkets, Metro stores, its meat supply arm and private label groceries.
The rejig of the company’s supermarkets arm – which delivers the bulk of Woolworths’ earnings – comes as its former supermarkets boss Natalie Davis was poached by private hospital operator Ramsay Health Care to be its new CEO.
On Tuesday, Woolworths announced that Annette Karantoni will be the inaugural managing director of a new division, Woolworths Retail, reporting to Ms Bardwell. Ms Bardwell became the CEO of Woolworths Group from September as she herself replaced former boss Brad Banducci.
It marks the first major restructure of the supermarket giant under her leadership.
The new Woolworths Retail division brings together key components of the Australian retail business including Woolworths supermarkets, Metro, Greenstock (red meat supply business) and Woolworths Food Company Retail (private label brands).
Ms Karantoni had been leading Primary Connect, Woolworths’ supply chain business for over three years and before that has spent more than 20 years working across Woolworths Group and has held senior leadership roles in Australian food in e-commerce, buying, marketing and replenishment
“Our Woolworths Retail business is the cornerstone of our group and critical to our success. Getting it right for our customers starts with our team, and we are taking the opportunity to simplify the way we work to create the biggest impact for our customers,” said Ms Bardwell.
“With Metro, Greenstock and Woolworths Food Company Retail moving into Woolworths Retail under Annette’s leadership, we will be able to enhance the role our retail food stores and own brand play in meeting the needs of our customers.”
Jeanette Fenske, director of stores and Paul Harker, chief commercial officer, who have been leading Woolworths supermarkets on an interim basis will continue in their existing roles as part of Woolworths Retail’s leadership team, reporting to Ms Karantoni.
In New Zealand, Sally Copland has been appointed managing director, Woolworths New Zealand.
Ms Copland has been with Woolworths for more than 18 years and will return to Woolworths New Zealand having previously held a number of senior positions including interim managing director, as well as leading e-commerce, brand and CountdownX teams.
“Sally’s experience in Australia and New Zealand across many parts of our food businesses makes her ideally suited to lead Woolworths New Zealand in its continuing transformation,” said Ms Bardwell.
Originally published as Woolworths has restructured its supermarket leadership team
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