Leadership structure | Walmart overhauls career pathway structure for store managers

Walmart has redesigned its leadership pipeline and is eliminating the store lead position from its workforce in order to expand its bench of second-tier store leaders.

The company said the restructuring will not result in layoffs, however, those impacted were notified today that they will be converted to either an emerging store manager or a coach position, both of which report to the store manager.

This staffing change marks the first major workforce move under new CEO John Furner, who succeeded the retiring Doug McMillon in January. It also follows a 2024 initiative that enabled store managers at Supercenter locations to earn $400,000 in compensation per year, inclusive of bonuses and stock grants.

Leadership pipeline and compensation

In an effort to create a comparable salary for the affected employees, Walmart said emerging store managers could earn a base salary of $85,000 to $120,000, with the potential to earn $119,000 to $276,000 with bonuses. At smaller neighborhood stores, the base pay range will be $65,000 to $110,000.