BJ’s Wholesale Club names Christopher Baldwin president and CEO

BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc., Westborough, Mass., said it named Christopher Baldwin, BJ’s president and chief operating officer, president and CEO. He will succeed Laura Sen, who is assuming the role of non-executive chairman. The appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2016.

Baldwin will assume responsibility for the ongoing operations of BJ’s, while Sen will join BJ’s other board members in setting the long-term strategic direction of the company. Baldwin will report to the board, and both he and Sen will remain members of board, BJ's said.

“I am grateful to have spent over 25 years with this great company, and feel privileged to have led it for the last seven,” Sen said. “I am proud of what our team has accomplished together during these many years. I believe BJ’s is operationally strong and well-positioned for continued success.

"In a very short period, Chris has demonstrated the necessary vision and leadership to take BJ’s to the next level," she added. "Together we have laid out a strategy for the company that will serve us for many years to come, and I believe now is the right time for Chris to assume his place as leader of BJ’s."

Baldwin joined BJ’s in September. He brought more than 30 years of experience as an executive in the retail and consumer products industries, BJ's noted. Before joining BJ’s, he was CEO of Hess Retail Corp., prior to its successful sale to Marathon Petroleum Corp. Before joining Hess, Baldwin served in a variety of executive level roles at Kraft Foods (Nabisco), The Hershey Co. and Procter and Gamble.

“I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to lead BJ’s,” Baldwin said. “This is both a challenging time for retail and one full of opportunity.

"Our guide over the next several years will be a vision that is steadfastly focused on offering a distinctive shopping experience and deep value proposition to BJ’s millions of loyal members," he continued. "With the support of BJ’s team members, I look forward to leading our company to even higher levels of achievement."