Target Hires Walmart Supply Chain Executive

Target Corporation announced the hiring of Shekar Natarajan to fill the newly-created role of senior vice president, network planning and operational design.

He will report to Target’s executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, Arthur Valdez.

Natarajan is the latest of several senior logistics executives that Target has hired away from various competitors such as Amazon.com and Apple in recent months.

The new hires come as Target looks to better compete by getting packages to customers faster and by reducing out-of-stocks on store shelves.

Natarajan will oversee the design of the company’s direct-to-store and direct-to-guest supply chain network, as well as the use of new automation and other technologies to enhance speed, accuracy and efficiency.

Natarajan brings more than 15 years of experience in supply chain innovation and global transformation to Target. He has held leadership roles at Walmart, Walt Disney Company, Anheuser Busch and PepsiCo.

Most recently, he was vice president of last mile operations, emerging sciences and operational excellence at Walmart.

“At Target, we are laser-focused on delivering our guests the products they want quickly, accurately and efficiently,” says Valdez.

“Under Shekar’s leadership, I’m confident we’ll be better positioned to deliver with improved speed and precision. Additionally, his experience and skills in future-state supply chain network planning will be a tremendous asset as we further develop our capabilities for the future.”

“I’m thrilled to join Target, and I look forward to working with Arthur and the team,” says Natarajan.

“Target is a brand I’ve long admired, and I’m excited to build on the supply chain foundation the team has already established as we look ahead to what more we can create for the future.”

Natarajan joins the company Nov. 20, and will be based in the retailer’s Sunnyvale, Calif. office.

Other recent recruits in the area of supply chain include Kevin Vliet, who joined Target's Sunnyvale office from Tesla Motors, and Sumesh George, who came to Target's Minneapolis office from Wal-Mart. Both are vice presidents at Target.

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