Akron-based Signet Jewelers, the world’s largest retailer of diamonds, announced a series of senior-level changes on Tuesday.
Signet, which operates Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and Zales, among other jewelry stores, employs an estimated 3,000 people in Summit County, including workers in area stores.
The changes, which are all effective immediately, include:
• Creating a new president and chief customer officer role. United Kingdom Managing Director Sebastian Hobbs was named to the position, reporting directly to Signet CEO Mark Light.
• Creating a new chief retail insights and strategy officer role. George Murray, chief merchandising and marketing officer, has been named to this position, which also reports to Light.
• Consolidating responsibility for modernizing information technology and improving process throughout Signet’s supply chain under the chief operations officer.
• Announcing the retirement of two longtime executives: Ed Hrabak, Signet chief operations officer; and Tryna Kochanek, executive vice president of North American Store Operations. Bryan Morgan, current executive vice president of supply chain management and repair, has been named the company’s new COO. Kochanek has agreed to stay on until a replacement has been named, likely in the spring, said David Bouffard, vice president of corporate affairs.
• Expanding Signet’s overall digital capabilities by adding a digital expert to Signet’s board of directors. Brian A. Tilzer, chief digital officer at CVS Health, has been appointed to the board.
In a news release, Light said the changes are in line with the companies’ priorities outlined in its Vision 2020 strategy to keep pace with the changing retail environment — “re-emphasizing our commitment to the customer experience.”
The new positions do not have anything to do with some negative press in the last year, Bouffard said. In its January earnings call, the company said its newly revamped e-commerce platform couldn’t handle holiday traffic, and last year there were allegations of gem-swapping at the corporate offices, which the company has said were “misleading” and grossly amplified on social media.
“The changes are not a reaction to any development over the past year,” Bouffard told the Beacon Journal in an email. “These strategic changes are part of our commitment to being a growth company.
“They are designed to put us in the strongest position as we start 2017 as a robust organization and retail competitor both now and well into the future. In addition, and as the world’s largest diamond jewelry retailer, we are committed to continually enhancing our ability to earn the trust of our customers and provide a world-class guest experience. As a result, we continue to look at ways to enhance the customer experience, achieve greater operational efficiency and synergy, and gain greater insight into our customer.”
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty.