Steven Dee, a former Nike, J.Crew and Accenture executive, will join Kohl’s on Monday as its new chief technology officer.
Dee will be responsible for overseeing all technology and information platforms supporting Kohl’s stores and e-commerce operations, and will report to Michael Bender, Kohl’s interim chief executive officer.
“We are happy to welcome Steve to the Kohl’s team during this important time for the company,” Bender said in a statement. “As an omnichannel retailer, it’s critical for our business to have smart, agile tech solutions that both drive the work and enable operational effectiveness. Steve is well-positioned to help accelerate our strategic goals and enhance the experiences we deliver to our customers and teams.”
Kohl’s has been struggling to reverse its pattern of declining sales and profitability for several seasons.
The Menomonee Falls, Wisc.-based Kohl’s indicated that Dee has more than 25 years of experience in technology and “a track record of driving results, scaling technology teams and delivering innovative tech solutions.”
“Retail is an exciting and dynamic industry that depends on smart, scalable technology solutions to serve associates all across the country, enable the systems that run operations and ultimately improve the way Kohl’s can serve our customers,” Dee said in his statement.
Dee fills a role previously held by Siobhán Mc Feeney, who served as Kohl’s chief technology and digital officer until leaving the business last April. Prior to Kohl’s, Dee ran technology operations at Nike, Hayneedle and J.Crew and has 12 years experience at Accenture, leading clients through transformational programs in the consumer goods and retail spaces. Most recently he was chief information and technology officer for Rodan + Fields, a skin care and hair care company.
While filling one critical role, Kohl’s has yet to fill another. The company continues to search for a CEO, to succeed interim CEO Bender.
Bender moved into the interim position following the sudden departure of Ashley Buchanan, who was fired last May following an investigation that disclosed he arranged for Kohl’s to sell his girlfriend’s coffee products at very favorable terms to his girlfriend’s company. The investigation also showed that Buchanan hired Boston Consulting Group, where his girlfriend, Chondra Holt, worked as an adviser. Holt and Buchanan met will both were employed at Walmart.