Meet Doug McMillon, who unloaded Walmart trucks as a teenager in 1984; 30 years later, he became CEO of the retail giant

Doug McMillon began his Walmart career unloading trucks as a teenager in 1984 and rose through the company's ranks to become its president and CEO in 2014. His career began as a teenage job eventually developed into a decades-long career at the retail giant.

He moved from warehouse work to merchandising and management before leading Sam's Club, Walmart International and, ultimately, Walmart itself.

All about his first job and career

Doug McMillon started working at Walmart in 1984, when he was 17 years old. His early job involved unloading trucks at a Walmart distribution centre in Arkansas. He began at the operational end of the retail business, long before reaching its executive leadership.


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Education qualification and return to Walmart

McMillon graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He returned to Walmart in 1990 while pursuing an MBA at the University of Tulsa. He also entered the company's buyer-training programme and became a buyer. This gave him experience in different parts of the retail business.

He held several merchandising and management positions at Walmart. In 2005, he was appointed president and CEO of Sam's Club, Walmart's membership-based warehouse retail business.

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At 38, he took charge of a major business division within the wider company. In February 2009, he became president and CEO of Walmart International. There, he saw its international operations.

What did he focus on?

McMillon led Walmart at a time when many things were rapidly changing. It included the growth of e-commerce.

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During his tenure, there was a lot of investment in digital shopping, online grocery services, technology.