BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. changed the executive leadership at the company's Operations, Innovations and Realty divisions as Joaquin Gonzalez Varela, executive vice president – Walmart East, prepares to retire from the company in June.

“With Joaquin’s retirement, we have the opportunity to simplify our leadership structure and our business,” the company said. “We’ll continue to strengthen our focus on our customer and retail fundamentals by streamlining the leadership of our Supercenter and Neighborhood Market businesses.”

Mike Moore will lead Walmart's Supercenter operations as executive vice president, Supercenters – Walmart US, the company said. Julie Murphy was tapped to lead Neighborhood Market operations as executive vice president, Neighborhood Markets – Walmart US. Walmart operates more than 3,000 Supercenters and more than 431 Neighborhood Markets. The company operates more than 11,000 stores worldwide.

The change indicates that the company has cropped a layer of executive management responsible for Walmart East and Walmart West.

“Mike and Julie are outstanding leaders whose long-term experience within Walmart operations has equipped them to take on these expanded roles,” the company said.

Mark Ibbotson was named senior vice president of the company Central Operations division. He will assume additional responsibilities for asset protection. Ibbotson also will work with Walmart’s Global eCommerce unit to implement the company’s Grocery Home Shopping operations.

“Centralizing these activities within one team will further align and simplify efforts that affect our stores,” Walmart said.

The company elevated JP Suarez to senior vice president – Walmart Realty. He succeeds Pam Kohn, executive vice president, who is leaving the company June 2.

Going forward, most of Walmart's US operations will report to Judith McKenna, COO.