Lululemon’s Sun Choe departs from chief product role prompting restructure

Lululemon Athletica announced on Tuesday an updated and more integrated organizational structure, in conjunction with the departure of Sun Choe, chief product officer, who has resigned and will leave the company later this month for another opportunity.

Choe will not be replaced.

The Canadian activewear company said the organizational changes are intended to support its near- and long-term growth plans, accelerate product innovation, and further enable its go-to-market strategies. 

With the changes, Jonathan Cheung, global creative director, will report to CEO Calvin McDonald and will drive the product design and innovation roadmap, continuing to oversee design, innovation, and product development, effective immediately.

The company will also create a new team comprised of leaders from its merchandising and brand functions to scale its global and regional go-to-market strategies.

As a result, Nikki Neuburger will become chief brand and product activation officer, overseeing merchandising, footwear, and product operations, in addition to her current responsibilities leading brand. Elizabeth Binder, chief merchandising officer, will report to Neuburger.

“We are grateful for Sun’s many contributions to the company over the past seven years, and she leaves us as a stronger, product-led organization with dynamic leaders ready to take us forward,” McDonald said.

“Looking ahead, I am confident in the strength of our design, merchandising, and brand teams, and excited by how the new structure will enable us to solve for the unmet needs of our guests in a more efficient, unique, and powerful way.”

Earlier this month, the North American firm said it had agreed to acquire the operations and retail locations of its franchise partner in Mexico.