BJ’s creates global sourcing position

-- Home Textiles Today, 12/9/2004 1:02:00 PM

NATICK, Mass. – BJ’s Wholesale Club has promoted Jim Hilson to vice president of global sourcing, a new position for the company.

In his new role, Hilson will be responsible for developing and improving the company's merchandise sourcing capabilities on a world-wide basis for all merchandise categories. He will report to Karen Stout, executive vice president of merchandising.

Hilson began his career with BJ's in 1986 as general merchandise buyer.

"In this newly created position, Jim will focus full time on a key area of our business in which he has developed great expertise during his many years as general merchandise buyer. In particular, Jim will concentrate on cultivating manufacturing relationships in the Pacific Rim," Stout said.

In addition, John Roberts has joined BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. as senior vice president of real estate and property development. He reports to BJ's President and CEO Michael Wedge.

Roberts has more than 25 years of strategic leadership experience in real estate within the retail industry, including nine years with The Home Depot, Inc. In addition to The Home Depot, he was director of real estate for Lechmere, Inc., and senior vice president of retail for AMB Property Corporation. In 2000, Roberts established Roberts Realty Group based in Andover, Mass., a company specializing in shopping center acquisition and redevelopment.

BJ's currently operates 154 BJ's clubs, one ProFoods Restaurant Supply club and 80 gas stations in 16 states.