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Smith will replace Rachel Ruggeri, who is leaving the company.
Niccol said Smith brings extensive experience in retail, global
operations and corporate turnarounds.
Ruggeri will stay at Starbucks for a period of time to assist
with the transition, he said..
“Over her nearly 20 years at Starbucks, Rachel has held many
important roles, always leading with integrity, a focus on
results and a strong belief in the importance of our culture,”
Niccol wrote.
He said Smith brings extensive experience in retail, global
operations and corporate turnarounds.
Niccol is trying to reinvigorate Starbucks' sluggish sales with
faster service times, a less complicated menu and others moves
he says are intended to restore a community coffeehouse feel to
the company's stores.
In January, the company reversed its open-door policy and said
only customers who bought something would be allowed to hang out
or use the restroom at a local Starbucks.
Niccol, who joined Starbucks last fall, also has been reshaping
the company’s executive ranks in an effort to streamline
decision-making and make leadership more accountable. In
January, the president of Starbucks’ North America division
stepped down after her job was split into two; Starbucks now has
one executive in charge of existing stores and another in charge
of store development.
Late last month, Niccol announced a plan to lay off 1,100
corporate employees globally.
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