Doug McMillon was the President and CEO of Walmart, one of the world’s largest retail companies.
He first joined the company as a summer associate in high school. He previously led the company’s Sam’s Club division, from 2005 to 2009, and Walmart International, from 2009 to 2013. Doug McMillon became the company’s fifth CEO in 2014.
CEO of Walmart, Inc. (2014–present)
He was named president and CEO in 2014. From 2009 to 2014 he was president and CEO of Walmart International, and from 2005 to 2009 he served as president and CEO of Sam’s Club. He has worked at Walmart for more than 30 years serving in senior leadership roles in all of Walmart’s business segments.
Doug serves on the boards of directors of Business Roundtable, the Consumer Goods Forum, the U.S.-China Business Council and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. He also sits on the advisory board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in Beijing, China.
Originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, Doug graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tulsa.
Here’s a brief profile of Doug McMillon:
Full Name: C. Douglas McMillon
Date of Birth: October 17, 1966
Education:
Doug McMillon holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.
Career Highlights:
Doug McMillon began his career at Walmart as a summer associate in 1984 while he was still in college.
He held various positions within the company, including working as a buyer and merchandiser.
McMillon served as the President and CEO of Sam’s Club, a subsidiary of Walmart.
He became the CEO of Walmart in 2014, succeeding Mike Duke.
Under his leadership, Walmart has continued to expand its e-commerce presence and make strategic acquisitions to compete effectively in the evolving retail landscape.
Doug McMillon has had several notable business achievements during his career at Walmart. While my information is up to September 2021, here are some of the key achievements associated with his leadership:
- Global Expansion: Under Doug McMillon’s leadership, Walmart continued to expand its global footprint. The company operates in multiple countries and is one of the world’s largest and most successful retailers.
- E-commerce Growth: Walmart made significant investments in e-commerce and digital retail during McMillon’s tenure. The acquisition of Jet.com and other online retailers, as well as the expansion of Walmart’s own e-commerce operations, has allowed the company to compete effectively with digital giants like Amazon.
- Sustainability Initiatives: McMillon pushed for sustainability initiatives at Walmart, including commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the sustainability of the supply chain. The company set ambitious sustainability goals under his leadership.
- Employee Development: McMillon has emphasized employee development and increased wages for Walmart associates. He has also championed programs to provide educational opportunities for Walmart employees.
- Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Walmart, under McMillon’s leadership, played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential goods and services to the public. The company implemented safety measures in stores and adapted to changing consumer needs during the pandemic.
- Acquisitions and Partnerships: During McMillon’s time as CEO, Walmart made strategic acquisitions and partnerships. For instance, it acquired a majority stake in Flipkart, one of India’s largest e-commerce platforms.
According to article published by Tonderai M., McMillon believes that the employees are the heart of Walmart, and their satisfaction directly translates into customer satisfaction. His commitment to investing in employees’ manifests in many ways, from enhancing wages and benefits to providing opportunities for growth and development. Under his tenure, Walmart has launched several educational initiatives, such as the Live Better U program, offering employees the chance to earn degrees for just $1 a day, thereby fostering a culture of continuous learning and upward mobility. This investment in employees has increased morale and productivity, transforming Walmart into a more agile and responsive organization.
At the same time, McMillon has led Walmart through a remarkable digital transformation. Recognizing the wave of e-commerce early on, he understood that Walmart needed to innovate, or risk being left behind. Under his leadership, the company has made a series of strategic acquisitions and partnerships, such as the purchase of Jet.com and a strategic alliance with Microsoft, to bolster its technological capabilities.
With Douglas coming into the picture, Wal-Mart has collaborated and strengthened with others providing equal opportunity of transformations. He has taken up sustainability, community, and opportunity in potential and needs worthy areas to create shared value for the society and the customers, both.
Wal-Mart Foundation provides more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind to support programs that align with their philanthropic priorities. Their ability to draw on Wal-Mart’s business strengths, providing more than just funding, helps them in delivering greater societal impact. Today because of the efforts of the Foundation, they create opportunities for people to live better every day.
As of April 20, 2023, CEO Doug McMillon earned total compensation of $25.306 million last year, down slightly from the prior year. His base salary of $1.471 million increased by 15.2% from a year ago.
