SPS Commerce hires former Target tech executive

SPS Commerce, which has been looking to hire laid-off Target Corp. workers, has just enlisted one of the retailer's former executives.

The fast-growing Minneapolis-based software company that helps retailers manage their supply chains said Monday that it has hired Beth Jacob to fill the newly created position of "chief customer success officer."

Jacob was the chief information officer who stepped down at Target in the aftermath of cyberthieves' data breach at the retailer.

In her new role, she will help SPS Commerce with its strategy as it expands its services around the globe. She starts April 6.

"Beth brings excellent experience to understand how to scale the technology," said Pete Zaballos, the SPS vice president of marketing. "The chief customer success officer is an area of tremendous opportunity that we think plays to her strengths."

He noted in particular her work at Target, where she helped set up a technology office in India to help support the company's operations.

Jacob resigned from Target last March, a few months after hackers siphoned off the financial and personal information of tens of millions of customers.

Bob DeRodes, a former Home Depot executive, was tapped to succeed her and to help shore up the company's security and technology services. Last month, Target announced DeRodes was retiring and hired Mike McNamara, a Tesco executive, to become chief information officer.

SPS Commerce is in the midst of a major growth spurt as the retail industry has been increasingly relying on the newest technology to stay ahead of the curve. It recently purchased a company in Australia and expanded its office in London.

In Minneapolis, it has been looking to hire about 170 employees to add to the 800 who work in its downtown office.

Earlier this month, SPS began actively recruiting former Target employees after the retailer laid off 1,700 people from its Twin Cities headquarters.

On Monday, SPS said its company has already hired about 10 ex-Target workers, with more in its application and hiring process.

Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113