Paul Cichocki has joined retailer BJ’s Wholesale Club as executive vice president of membership, analytics, and business transformation. He previously was a partner at strategy firm Bain & Company, where he spent the last 23 years.
In his new role at BJ’s, Cichocki will oversee strategy and vision for the company’s membership, marketing, and analytics divisions. He will be based in the retailer’s Westborough, Massachusetts headquarters, and will report directly to the company’s CEO.
He most recently served as head of Bain’s performance improvement practice in the Americas, and was an expert in the consulting firm’s supply chain management, energy & natural resources, and advanced manufacturing services practices.
Cichocki specialized in large-scale operational transformations, and led redesign efforts across sales, marketing, R&D, and manufacturing. He completed consulting engagements for numerous leading companies in retail, consumer products, food and beverage, and financial services.
“I am excited to welcome Paul to the BJ’s team,” said Lee Delaney, president and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club. “Paul’s extensive experience in leading performance improvement and business transformation make him instrumental as we continue to transform BJ’s Wholesale Club. Integrating our membership, marketing and analytics organizations under Paul’s leadership further supports accelerating our strategic initiatives in these areas.”
Before joining Bain in 1997, Cichocki was an operating manager for snack company Frito-Lay. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in operations management from the University of Massachusetts.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the BJ’s team,” Cichocki said. “BJ’s has made significant progress over the last few years by making strategic investments and building new capabilities to build a foundation to accelerate growth. I look forward to partnering with the team to capitalize on the exciting opportunities ahead.”
BJ’s is a membership warehouse club operating in the Eastern United States. The company has 218 clubs in 17 states, and its major category rivals are Costco and Sam’s Club.
Warehouse clubs and supermarkets are among a slim number of segments doing well during the current health and economic crisis – as consumers stock pile goods and eschew restaurants.