Dollar General Corp. has appointed Emily Taylor as chief operating officer, effective Nov. 16.
Taylor previously served as EVP and chief merchandising officer. She joined Tennessee-based Dollar General in 1998 and brings more than 25 years of experience to her new role. As COO, she will oversee store operations, global supply chain, merchandising, marketing and digital, real estate and store development, decision science and process improvement.
“Emily’s strategic vision and tenured understanding of the vital role DG plays in our customers’ lives will be invaluable as she expands her responsibilities as COO,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “During her tenure, Emily and her team have consistently enhanced the shopping experience both in-store and through various digital and delivery initiatives, elevated the Dollar General and pOpshelf brands, and improved operational efficiency, benefiting customers across the more than 20,000 communities we serve.”
Track Record of Growth and Innovation
Taylor has held leadership positions in merchandising, pricing, planning, financial analysis and investor relations. She was named SVP and general merchandise manager in 2014, where she helped develop the company’s Non-Consumable Initiative. In 2019, she was named SVP of channel innovation and led the deveopment and launch of pOpshelf.
Since becoming EVP and chief merchandising officer in 2020, she has overseen merchandising, marketing and digital, global sourcing, operations, inventory management, in-store experience efforts, delivery initiatives and pOpshelf.
Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.
Leadership Promotions Support Strategic Growth
Dollar General also announced several leadership changes aligned with its long-term merchandising and operations strategy.
Bryan Wheeler has been promoted to EVP and chief merchandising officer; Pooh Vichidvongsa will transition to SVP and general merchandise manager; and Shareeka Meadows has been promoted to SVP of pOpshelf.
“Elevating and expanding the roles of Bryan (Wheeler), Pooh (Vichidvongsa) and Shareeka (Meadows) recognizes the ongoing contributions of these three leaders, aligns with our strategic growth across merchandising and supports an operating priority to invest in the growth and development of our teams,” Vasos said. “With a strong, experienced leadership team in place across store operations, supply chain and merchandising, the company is well-positioned to advance under Emily’s leadership as COO.”
Wheeler, Vichidvongsa, Meadows Step Into Expanded Roles
Wheeler, a 40-year retail veteran, will lead consumable and non-consumable merchandising, global sourcing, merchandise operations, inventory management and in-store experience for Dollar General and pOpshelf. He joined DG in 2006 after more than two decades with Kmart.
Vichidvongsa, who previously led merchandising, marketing and store operations for pOpshelf, will now oversee family care categories including paper, home cleaning, pet and health and beauty, as well as private brand strategy. She joined DG in 2008.
Meadows, who joined the company in 2012, will lead the entire pOpshelf line of business. She has held roles in apparel, stationery and merchandise management.
Additionally, effective Nov. 12, Dollar General has eliminated the position of EVP of strategy and development. Steve Deckard has departed the company.
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