Wal- Mart veteran assigned new role

Latriece Watkins has been named senior vice president and general merchandise manager for consumables at WalMart Stores Inc., according to an internal memo obtained by the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette.

Watkins moves into the role after working as the company’s senior vice president for U. S operations. She will be responsible for beauty, personal care, household chemicals, and paper goods in her new position, according to the memo from Executive Vice President Scott Huff.

Watkins has been with Wal- Mart since 1997, joining the company as a real estate intern. She has held leadership roles at WalMart U. S and Sam’s Club since 2008. The memo said Watkins most recently led an initiative to improve the retention of hourly workers in stores in her U. S. operations role. — Robbie Neiswanger