Dollar Tree Names Alasdair James EVP, Merchandising and Supply Chain

Alasdair James has joined Dollar Tree Inc. as executive VP, merchandising and supply chain, a new role for the company.

Following the consolidation of its Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Store support centers in December 2019, the discount retailer merged merchandising and store operations functions to better align communication, strategies and initiatives for both segments. This role will support that move, with James overseeing merchandising, global sourcing, marketing, inventory management and logistics.

As part this, Richard McNeely, enterprise chief merchandising officer, and Michael Lech, chief logistics officer, will report to James, who in turn reports to Michael Witynski, president and CEO.

Most recently CEO of Pier 1 Imports, James has also served as president of Kmart and chief customer officer global brands for Tesco, as well as marketing management roles at GlaxoSmithKline and Frito-Lay.

James said his focus will be on will be on leading productivity improvements through use of data, analytics, automation and digital capabilities, and Witynski described him as a proven retail leader, citing his global consumer goods experience.

“This new position strengthens our executive team in key areas of the business, as we continue to grow as a unified company with two strong brands,” said Witynski, who took the helm last summer. “We will continue to maintain our customer-centric focus while developing initiatives to improve productivity and efficiencies.”

Dollar Tree is in growth mode and is hiring thousands of full- and part-time associates at both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores and distribution centers. The company currently operates more than 15,400 locations and 26 U.S. distribution centers.

Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar in 2015.