Executive shift in Wal-Mart’s China business

Wal-Mart has created a new executive position in its China market. The retail giant has appointed Maggie Sans to senior vice president and chief corporate affairs officer in China. The position was created with the goal of improving the retailer’s reputation after accounting, inventory and food-safety missteps in recent years.

“She will be responsible for elevating our corporate reputation in China and helping shape the political environment for our continued growth,” Dan Bartlett, executive vice president of corporate affairs, noted in the memo to employees on Friday (Feb. 6). Sans will oversee company initiatives that include food safety, sustainability and energy saving, he noted.

Ray Bracy, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart China, will return to the U.S. in the coming months. He will retire in January, according to the memo.

“China is a critical market for us, and we must have the right people in place to lead our organization on the policies and regulations which allow us to operate successfully in this market,” Bartlett said in the memo.