Wolverine Worldwide Announces Jim Zwiers Exiting Company; Bishu Jayaram Named Chief Supply Chain Officer
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Wolverine Worldwide announced on Thursday the departure of Jim Zwiers, a 25-year company veteran, who will leave in 2024. He most recently served as executive vice president and president of the global operations group.
“Jim has dedicated his time and talent to Wolverine Worldwide for the last 25 years,” Wolverine Worldwide president and CEO Chris Hufnagel said. “We thank and recognize him for his many years of dedicated service to the company, and wish him only the very best.”
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Prior to taking over Wolverine’s international efforts, Zwiers led the company’s outdoor and performance divisions for several years, which at the time included Merrell, Saucony, Chaco, Patagonia Footwear and Cushe.
Wolverine Worldwide also announced that Bishu Jayaram has been promoted to chief supply chain officer as the footwear conglomerate undergoes a broader transformation of its business.
In the newly created role, Jayaram will oversee “global sourcing, distribution, logistics and integrated planning,” according to a release. He will report to Hufnagel, who assumed the top job in August.
“Bishu has a proven track record of successfully navigating complex supply chain landscapes and implementing innovative strategies and has led the company’s sourcing organization during a period of unprecedented supply chain volatility,” said Hufnagel in a statement. “His appointment aligns well with our commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, building great brands across the globe and transforming us into a consumer-obsessed growth company.”
Jayaram most recently served as Wolverine’s senior vice president of global sourcing for two years. Prior to that, he spent six years at VF Corp. in various supply chain positions, culminating in his role as vice president of footwear, packs and equipment, Asia product supply. He also held roles at Avery Dennison, Adidas and Gap Inc.
The news comes days after Wolverine Worldwide announced new deals to cut costs and continue the ongoing transformation of its business. The company on Monday announced a new licensing model for its Merrell and Saucony brands in China as well as a deal to sell its Asia-based leathers business.
Wolverine last year announced its intention to divest or license its Wolverine Leathers business as well as its Keds brand, which it sold to Designer Brands Inc. earlier this year. In September, Wolverine said it had completed the sale of its U.S. Wolverine Leathers business as well as the sale of the intellectual property of its Hush Puppies brand in China, Hong Kong and Macau. In addition the above divestments, Wolverine is still in the process of exploring “strategic alternatives” for its struggling Sperry brand.
As part of a business transformation plan, Wolverine Worldwide in November revealed a global workforce reduction and organizational redesign that was expected to deliver $215 million in annualized savings. Other costs reductions came in August, when Wolverine announced it would close its Boston headquarters by the end of the year. Wolverine’s Boston office housed the company’s Sperry, Saucony and Keds brands since it acquired them in 2012, as well as its Kids Group.
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