Toys “R” Us has named its first global chief technology officer, Lance Wills, who will lead global IT and digital strategies for the toy retail giant beginning June 13.

As EVP and global CTO, Wills is charged with overseeing strategy, design and implementation of the company’s digital road map. Among his first order of business will be enhancing TRU’s online customer experience offerings, which falls in line with plans to bolster its US$1.2 billion e-commerce business.

Reporting to Wills is Phillip Newmoyer, who recently joined Toys “R” Us as SVP and chief information officer to lead the  IT operations involved in bringing the company’s e-commerce platform in-house.

Wills recently served as VP and global head of digital technology at American Eagle Outfitters, where he led the company’s online and in-store technology groups. Previously, he was VP of direct and omni-channel technologies at US department store chain Macy’s.