WESTBOROUGH, MA – BJ’s Wholesale Club has named a new Chief Executive this morning to succeed Laura J. Sen early next year.

Christopher J. Baldwin, BJ’s President and COO, has been appointed as President and CEO this morning, effective February 1, 2016. Baldwin, who was just hired this past August, has over 30 years of retail and consumer products experience. In just the few short months he was with BJ’s, Baldwin was able to demonstrate the leadership qualities and vision necessary to take up the mantle as the company’s top executive.

Sen will assume the role of Non-Executive Chairman, working with other Board Members to oversee the long-term strategic direction of the company.

In a company announcement, Sen said she was grateful to have spent over 25 years with BJ’s and was proud of what the team has been able to accomplish under her guidance.

“I believe BJ’s is operationally strong and well positioned for continued success,” she said. “Together we have laid out a strategy for the Company that will serve us for many years to come, and I believe now is the right time for Chris to assume his place as leader of BJ’s.”

Prior to joining BJ’s earlier this year, Baldwin held several leadership roles, including President of Snacks at Kraft Foods (Nabisco), President of North America at The Hershey Company, and Procter and Gamble.

Baldwin said that he looks forward to leading the company to even higher levels of achievement, acknowledging that though this is a challenging time for retail, it is one full of opportunity.

“Our guide over the next several years will be a vision that is steadfastly focused on offering a distinctive shopping experience and deep value proposition to BJ’s millions of loyal members,” he said.

BJ’s Wholesale currently operates 211 clubs and 126 gas stations in 15 states, providing premium produce in many supermarket sizes.

BJ’s Wholesale Club