Target Executive Bob Kupbens spoke at the Ross School

When:  Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where:  Ross School of Business, Room W2740

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Bob Kupbens of the Target Corporation presented a talk on "Talent Management in a Global Retail Industry" at 5:00 p.m. on March 6 in room W2740 of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Abstract:
As a leader in the retail industry, Target Corporation builds its brand every day through guest interaction across nearly 1,500 stores in the U.S. Behind the scenes, though, a global supply chain organization designs, sources and delivers products to our stores from more than 40 countries around the world. And a growing offshore organization provides technology development and business process outsourcing services as a complement to Target’s Minneapolis-based team. The world may be “flat,” but this global organization creates unique leadership challenges that have no prototype solution. From “What time is it in Bangalore?” to “Why would someone return something?” to “My shipment is where?”, building a great global team is a challenging, but rewarding adventure.

About Bob Kupbens:
VP, Technology Services – Marketing, TSI, Business Intelligence, EDGE
Target Corporation
Bob Kupbens is the Vice President of Technology Services – Marketing, TSI, Business Intelligence and EDGE for Target Corporation, a $50+ billion retailer that operates large-store general merchandise formats, including Target discount stores and SuperTarget centers as well as an on-line business called target.com. The company currently operates 1,488 stores in 47 states. Target Corporation is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Promoted into his position in 2006, Bob is responsible for technology development for Marketing, the development and maintenance of corporate Data Warehousing applications and support for all non-standard technology platforms including Mac, CAD and other high-end applications. In addition, Bob has responsibility for driving strategy and execution for Target Services India (TSI) a captive development and BPO center located in Bangalore, India. Prior to his current role, Bob led a field distribution network serving stores throughout the South and Mid-Atlantic regions and created network and operations strategy for Target’s supply chain.\

Prior to joining Target, Bob was a Principal at A.T. Kearney management consultants, working in the operations practice to provide insight into manufacturing and distribution process improvement, network design and inventory management.

Bob earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1995 with emphases in strategy and finance. Bob also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1990.

Bob lives in Chanhassen, Minnesota with his wife Jo and their two children, Foster and Sawyer.

This event was presented by the Tauber Institute for Global Operations and sponsored by the Ford Motor Company.|

Tauber Institute Media Contact:  Email tauber.info@umich.edu