Woolworths transformation officer Matt Stanton departs, destination unknown
Stanton leaving after completing transformation project
The ongoing leadership changes at Woolworths have continued this week with the news that chief transformation officer Matt Stanton is stepping down from the role.
The former chief executive of Bauer Media joined Woolworths at the start of 2015 after seeing the transition of the magazine publisher from ACP to ownership by the German giant.
Since his arrival at the supermarket chain his role has been cloaked in secrecy as he worked on transformation of the back end of the business.
It is understood the work has been almost completed leading to the role becoming redundant.
Woolworths said in a statement Stanton had been an asset to the business as he helped to streamline operations and reduce costs, giving control back to the business units.
“Matt will leave Woolworths at the end of March,” the statement said.
“Transformation projects have now been embedded into the business divisions and his position will not be replaced. Matt has made a great contribution to Woolworths and we wish him well for the future.”
Stanton is just the latest in a string of senior executives to leave the retailer as it works to reset its foundations and take on competition from Coles and Aldi, as well as recover from its disastrous investment in the Masters business with US giant Lowes.
Former liquor boss Brad Banducci took the helm of the business in February, promising to bring and entrepreneurial spirit and retail discipline to the role.
Last month Woolworths sacked ad agency Leo Burnett, appointing M&C Saatchi, and saw it lose the top spot in the Brand Finance annual brand valuations.
Other moves have included a clean out of the marketing department over the past year.
Simon Canning
Transformation officer? Sounds like an Autobots vs Deceptions battle.
My money is on the Dinobots…
That’s because he’s an accountant not a CEO or chief transformation guy. Put him in the right role and I’m sure he’ll do well.
@Andrew: clearly you’ve never met Matt. An outstanding operator who understands digital trends, processes very well.
Would help if they would actually spend money on their stores! take the store in Proserpine for example, it needs investment but head office won’t come to the party and as such shoppers are voting with their feet.
Good luck Matt with whatever you do next – you are an excellent operator- shame Woolworths did not potentialise your talents
Brad Banducci
Why don’t you start by simplying the fuckin mess that is your recruitment/jobs page. My daughter’s boyfriend tried to apply for a replenishment job on WOW and wow, what an ordeal. You must be losing so many good applicants
The other thing to all those who talk about replacing the fresh-food-people campaign – it wasn’t an advertisng campaign. It was a marketing strategy to sell more fruit and vegetables because they realised they could screw farmers and make a massive mark up. Totally true. I worked on it.
Can you put Brad Banducci back on again Mumbrella, ta.
Brad, why does the Woolworths recruitment site WOW ask “What ethnicity are you?”
Are some ethnicities more– or less– suitable for some roles? What reason could Woolworths have to ask this question?
“It is understood the work has been almost completed leading to the role becoming redundant.”
Woolworths “transformed” in 15 months. Job done!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahaahhah
I hope he suggested magazine advertising before he left.