The US clothing group American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO) has hired two new top managers and redistributed important areas of responsibility within its management team. The background to the measures is the impending resignation of Chief Operations Officer (COO) Michael Rempell, the company said on Tuesday evening.
Sarah Clarke will take over the position of Executive Vice President – Chief Supply Chain Officer on October 30th. In this role, she will be responsible for the clothing supplier’s entire supply chains. Clarke most recently served as Global Chief Supply Chain Officer at the US clothing group PVH Corporation.
Valerie van Ogtrop has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President – Brand Operations. As of October 30, she will be responsible for the group’s branch network in the USA and Canada as well as for financial planning, strategy and product range composition for the two group brands American Eagle and Aerie. The company explained that their task is to ensure closer cooperation between the two labels and thus increase their growth and profitability.
Van Ogtrop comes from clothing retailer J.Crew, where she was most recently EVP, Brand Operations, responsible for the Madewell brand. At American Eagle Outfitters, she will report to President and Executive Creative Director Jennifer Foyle and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mikel Mathias.