MINNEAPOLIS – Anne Dament has been hired by Target Corp. as senior vice president, merchandiser, and has the specific job of “leading the strategic repositioning of Target’s food business,” according to the company. She joins Target from PetSmart, where she most recently served as vice-president of services.

On March 3, the retailer announced its intention to overhaul its food assortment and operations. The effort will focus on six product categories, including better-for-you snacks, coffee and tea, premium sauces and oils, specialty candy, wine and craft beer, and yogurt and granola. It also will expand the availability of natural, organic, locally grown and gluten-free choices to fit the wellness-focused lifestyles of its customers, according to Target.


“Our guests tell us they expect Target to inspire them with differentiated food offerings like we do in other areas,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO. “We have an opportunity to make food more reflective of our brand, elevate the shopping experience and make Target a food destination for our guests. Having previously worked alongside Anne, I know her industry expertise and proven ability to reinvigorate existing businesses make her the right leader to drive our reinvention.”

Dament brings more than 19 years of grocery and consumer packaged goods experience to her new role. She started her career in food, as a buyer at Supervalu and then at Safeway where she held various positions in category and sales management. Later she led Safeway’s home care and general merchandising business, where she worked with a variety of CPG companies and focused on the company’s global buying strategy. In her final role at Safeway, she served as group vice president, perishable strategy, where she focused on assortments in order to drive traffic.

“My very first job was in a local grocery store, and I’ve had a passion for food ever since,” Dament said. “Joining the team at Target gives me an opportunity to bring my professional experience and love of food to the organization as their transformation is just getting under way. I’m excited to return home to Minnesota and work alongside great leaders for such an iconic brand.”