The new roles take effect Oct. 26, and two executives leave Nov. 6.

lululemon is reshaping its senior leadership team as it looks to strengthen product execution and operations following a weak quarter. Maggie Gauger, who led Gap Inc.'s (NYSE: GAP) Athleta brand as president and CEO, will become president and chief product officer of lululemon Athletica Inc., the company announced Wednesday. Joseph Godsey, former Walmart Canada's chief growth officer, will be chief operating officer. 

Both positions are newly created and take effect Oct. 26. Chief Brand and Product Activation Officer Nikki Neuburger and Chief Supply Chain Officer Ted Dagnese will leave Nov. 6 to pursue other opportunities, the company said.

CEO Heidi O'Neill said the new structure is meant to put product, design and innovation at the center of how the company operates. She called the restructuring as an "important first step" in renewing the company's connection with customers and acknowledged that lululemon has work to do to strengthen its competitiveness.

Gauger to lead product teams

Gauger spent more than two decades at Nike Inc., including as vice president and general manager of its North America Women's business. At lululemon, she will oversee design, merchandising, footwear, product innovation and materials science. The company’s current merchandising and design leadership will report to her.

Her appointment brings a product-focused executive into a role that combines functions that previously sat across the organization. 

Godsey to head new operations role

Godsey previously served as chief growth officer at Walmart Canada and chief supply chain officer at Sam's Club. The role will cover sourcing and production, commercialization, go-to-market, fulfillment, planning and allocations, and sustainability.

Four executive searches are under way

The company is seeking chief brand, chief communications, chief technology and chief strategy officers. 

The brand chief will lead brand marketing, brand creative, store experience and community. The technology chief will oversee product and supply chain technology, digital and omni technology, corporate technology, enterprise data and AI, and cybersecurity. The communications chief will report to O'Neill and join the Senior Leadership Team. The strategy chief will report to Chief Financial Officer Meghan Frank. 

André Maestrini continues as president and chief commercial officer, Shannon Higginson as chief legal and compliance officer and Susan Gelinas as chief people and culture officer. All three report to O'Neill.

Gap Responds to Gauger's Departure

Gap confirmed Gauger has left Athleta. Erika Everett, Athleta's chief marketing officer, will provide interim oversight and report to Gap CEO Richard Dickson.

O'Neill took over as CEO in September

The company announced her appointment April 22, with a Sept. 8 start date. She worked more than 25 years at Nike.

lululemon reports weaker second-quarter

The leadership changes come after a difficult quarter for lululemon. Net revenue was $2.416 billion, down 4% from a year earlier, the company reported Sept. 3. Comparable sales fell 9%, including a 12% drop in the Americas. The company expects third-quarter net revenue of $2.290 billion to $2.320 billion, a decline of 10% to 11% from a year earlier. 

Frank steps in as searches continue

Frank will have interim oversight of the global brand and technology functions until those chiefs are in place. She also continues to lead finance and strategy. The company said it will announce each appointment once the searches end. The announcement gave no timeline.