Target CEO reshapes his leadership team in first big move since taking
over this month
[February 11, 2026] By
ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
NEW YORK (AP) — Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is reshuffling his
leadership team and making other changes shortly after stepping into the
top job at the retailer that has struggled operationally.
Rick Gomez, the 13-year Target veteran who oversees the chain's vast
inventory of merchandise, will leave the company. And Jill Sando, the
chief merchandising officer overseeing a handful of categories like
apparel and home and who has been with the company since 1997, will
retire.
Lisa Roath, who oversaw food, essentials and cosmetics, will take
Fiddelke's previous job as chief operating officer, the company said
Tuesday. Cara Sylvester, who had been chief guest experience officer,
will become the company's chief merchandising officer.
The changes will allow Target to move with greater speed, Fiddelke said.
“It’s the start of a new chapter for Target, and we’re moving quickly to
take action against our priorities that will drive growth within our
business,” Fiddelke said in a release.
Gomez and Sando will remain with the company for a short time to help
with the transition, but the changes become effective Sunday.
Also on Tuesday, the company reiterated its profit guidance. It is also
increasing investment in store staffing at stores while eliminating
about 500 jobs at distribution centers and regional offices, according
to a memo sent to employees that Target shared with The Associated
Press. The cuts make up just a tiny fraction of Target's overall
employee count of more than 400,000.
It is the first substantial change under Fiddelke, a 20-year company
veteran who took over for Brian Cornell this month. The company's
decision to choose an insider surprised many industry analysts who
believe the company needs new ideas as it tries to revive sales.
Target has struggled to find its footing as many Americans have cut back
on spending. Customers have also complained of disheveled stores that
are missing the budget-priced niche that long ago earned the retailer
the nickname “Tarzhay.”
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The Target logo displayed on a sign outside a store, Nov. 18, 2025,
in Salem, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
 The company has also been buffeted
by consumer boycotts and backlash after it scaled back its corporate
diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
It has also faced protests for what some critics see as an
insufficient response to President Donald Trump's aggressive
immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis, its hometown, where
two U.S. citizens where fatally shot last month by federal agents.
Target has not commented publicly after federal agents detained two
of its employees this month at a store in Richfield, Minnesota —
although Fiddelke sent a video message to the company’s 400,000
workers calling recent violence “incredibly painful.”
Fiddelke was one of 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies who signed
an open letter in January calling for state, local and federal
officials to find a solution after the fatal shootings.
Protests are slated to continue Wednesday at more than two dozen
Target locations across the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago
and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Luis Argueta, a spokesperson for Unidos Minnesota, an immigrant-led
social justice advocacy organization and part of the ICE Out Now
coalition, expects a big turnout at the Richfield store.
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