The US sporting goods manufacturer Nike Inc. announced extensive changes to its management team on Tuesday evening. The aim of the measures is to streamline processes, accelerate decision-making and strengthen the company’s connection to athletes and markets.
In a note to employees, President and CEO Elliott Hill said the restructuring was designed to “remove layers of hierarchy.” In addition, Nike should be positioned so that it can operate as a more agile, technology-supported company.
The focus of the changes is the creation of the new position of Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Venkatesh Alagirisamy will take on this role on December 8th. He has been with Nike for nearly 20 years and currently serves as Chief Supply Chain Officer. In addition to managing supply chain, planning, operations, manufacturing and sustainability, Alagirisamy will also be responsible for technology in the future. It is intended to link the company’s digital capabilities consistently across product development, planning, production and sales and thus integrate the technology more closely into the strategy aimed at the sports sector. In return, the position of EVP and Chief Technology Officer will be eliminated. As a result, Muge Dogan will leave the company.
In addition, senior executives from Nike’s four global market regions will join the Senior Leadership Team and report directly to Hill. Specifically, these are Angela Dong for Greater China, Carl Grebert for EMEA, Tom Peddie for North America and Cathy Sparks for APLA. This measure is intended to bring management closer to global consumers and accelerate the implementation of plans in individual markets.
As part of this restructuring, the position of EVP and Chief Commercial Officer will be eliminated. Current incumbent Craig Williams is also retiring from the company.
Global sales and Nike Direct now fall under the responsibility of EVP and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Matt Friend. According to Hill, he brings with him in-depth commercial and strategic experience. The merger of these functions with the finance department is intended to ensure that market insights from our own stores and digital channels as well as from wholesale partners will have a direct influence on corporate strategy and investment decisions in the future.
Hill emphasized that the restructuring is aimed at growth, an aggressive competitive position and strengthening market operations as part of the broader “Win Now” strategy. “These changes come down to eliminating layers and better positioning Nike to continue to be as impactful as only Nike can,” he emphasized. The new leadership team is better aligned to drive speed, collaboration and urgency across the company, Hill said.
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