Hays joined Walmart in 2009 as a senior merchant at Sam’s Club, then ran Walmart’s home and ladies’ apparel divisions. In 2015 she became chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart China, then returned to the U.S. in 2017 to take her most recent role. She also served on the board of the Walmart Foundation, the philanthropy established by the founding Walton family.

In mid-July Walmart named Sean Slovenski as senior vice president of health and wellness, effective August 1. At the time, Foran said he would share more details about Hays’s next role “at a later date.” Senior vice president Latriece Watkins will run the consumables portfolio, which includes baby products, household goods, paper items and pet supplies. Watkins has been with the company since 1997, when she joined as an intern in the real estate department.