COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots Inc. has made a number of organizational changes and named a new executive vice president of merchandising.

Big Lots Inc. has made a number of organizational changes and named a new executive vice president of merchandising.

The broadline closeout retailer said Friday that John Martin has been appointed executive vice president of administration and will assume responsibility for store operations and human resources. Martin has led the chian’s merchandising and global sourcing teams for the past eight years.

"John brings seasoned leadership to two critical areas of our business. As we continue to focus on new store growth, developing our store operations talent and strengthening our bench will be key to driving our future success," stated Big Lots chairman and chief executive officer Steve Fishman. "We wanted a leader who could combine the synergies of HR and store ops and allow us to focus on attracting, developing and retaining top talent."

Big Lots said Martin will continue to report directly to Fishman. With the appointment, Chris Chapin, senior vice president of store operations; Jo Roney, vice president of human resources services; and Mike Schlonsky, vice president of associate relations and benefits, will now report to Martin.

The retailer also announced Friday that Doug Wurl is joining the company as executive vice president of merchandising. Reporting to Fishman, Wurl will be responsible for the merchandising organization and furthering the scope and breadth of the chain’s global sourcing efforts.

Now reporting to Wurl will be senior vice president and general merchandise managers Bob Segal and Steven Smart; Norm Rankin, senior vice president of Big Lots Capital and Wholesale; and Charles Ellis, vice president of global sourcing.

Wurl joins Big Lots from Sears Holding Corp., where he was vice president and general merchandise manager, business unit president, SHC Home Division. Before Sears, he was a senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Shopko and held leadership roles at Macy’s and May Co.

"Doug is a proven merchant with broad-based experience and knowledge from his past positions with regional and national department stores and discount store retailers," Fishman commented. "I am pleased to welcome him as a member of our senior management team."

Big Lots operates nearly 1,400 stores in 48 states.