Dollar Tree realigns executive team

Deep discount chain Dollar Tree has promoted Michael Witynski to enterprise president, a newly created position, and named a chief operating officer and a chief merchant for the overall organization.

Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree said Thursday that Thomas O’Boyle has been appointed COO of Dollar Tree, taking over that title from Witynski, who previously served as president and COO. Richard McNeely, meanwhile, has been promoted to chief merchandising officer of Dollar Tree, responsible for both the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar store banners.

The moves, effective immediately provide further integration of executive oversight following Dollar Tree’s completion of the Family Dollar Stores acquisition in July 2015. Dollar Tree noted that the changes will improve strategic execution and operational performance for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar businesses. The company recently consolidated its two store-support centers with corporate office in Chesapeake.

“These and other actions we are taking are designed to increase enterprisewide focus and accountability,” Dollar Tree CEO Gary Philbin said in a statement. “With Mike, Rick and Tom, we will have our senior-most talent working together across the platform with more urgency to move the needle on metrics that will help us deliver greater value for our shareholders and customers.”

Related:Dollar Tree to close up to 390 Family Dollar stores

Also on Wednesday, Dollar Tree said Family Dollar President Duncan Mac Naughton, was leaving the company. He had served in that post since 2017. “I want to thank Duncan for his efforts in leading the Family Dollar team,” Philbin commented. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Now enterprise president, Michael Witynski previously served as president and COO of Dollar Tree Stores.

In his new role as enterprise president, Witynski will lead the merchandising, store operations and supply chain functions for both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. His main focus will be on improving enterprisewide operational efficiency and reducing distribution costs across both store brands, according to the company.

“Mike Witynski has been a key executive in driving performance across the organization. In particular, Mike has led the Store Excellence operational initiatives and merchandising programs to drive sales and margin and has been hands-on in managing our tariff mitigation efforts the past 18 months,” Philbin noted. “His promotion to enterprise president will continue our progression of elevating our customer-facing efforts in merchandising and operations.”

Related:Dollar Tree investor pushes for sale of struggling Family Dollar, higher prices

Witynski had been president and COO Dollar Tree Stores since June 2017. He also is a former president of Shaw’s Supermarkets.

“The reorganization enhances our ability to accelerate the timetable for implementing initiatives designed to improve margins and reduce costs for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar segments,” Witynski stated.

As Dollar Tree’s COO, O’Boyle will lead the store operations and real estate functions for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar banners. The former CEO of Marsh Supermarkets and president of the Sears/Kmart food, drug and pharmacy business, he previously had served as COO of Family Dollar since October 2017.

McNeely, in his new role, now leads merchandising, marketing and global sourcing for both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. Most recently, he was chief merchant for Dollar Tree Stores. Before coming to Dollar Tree, McNeely spent 28 years in a range of positions at various retailers, including Dollar General, Rose’s Stores and Fred’s.

Overall, Dollar Tree operates 15,262 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces under the brands Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree Canada.