The Impressive TimesCalifornia | May 25, 2025- As Walmart initiates a significant restructuring drive affecting over 1,500 roles in its global tech workforce, all eyes are on its Chief Technology Officer, Suresh Kumar — a Bengaluru native whose career journey spans some of the world’s most influential tech giants.
Currently based in Sunnyvale, California, Kumar is the Executive Vice President, Global CTO, and Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Walmart. The decision to downsize, including roles at the Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters and across Walmart’s tech operations, was communicated in a joint memo by Kumar and Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner. The move, according to the note, aims to streamline processes and enable faster decision-making.
Suresh Kumar’s story begins in Basavanagudi, a historic neighborhood in Bengaluru, where he spent his formative years before pursuing higher studies. He completed his BTech in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Madras, followed by a PhD in Control Systems from Princeton University in the United States.
In a recent LinkedIn post reflecting on his IIT days, Kumar wrote, “I completed my undergrad in the late ‘80s, and one truth still stands out: learning never stops.”
Kumar started his professional journey in 1992 at IBM, serving as a Research Staff Member. His next big move came in 1999 when he joined Amazon. There, he rose to the position of Vice President of Worldwide Retail Systems, playing a key role in shaping the company’s global tech infrastructure.
His subsequent roles include Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Cloud Infrastructure and Operations, and later, Vice President & General Manager at Google overseeing Display & Video Ads, Apps, and Analytics.
He took over the technology reins at Walmart in July 2019, where he now leads a global team that supports Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and international operations — including everything from data and cloud to information security.
According to recent SEC filings, Kumar earned $15.98 million in total compensation last year. This includes a base salary of $1.1 million and stock-based awards valued at over $12 million — reflecting the scale and scope of his strategic role at one of the world’s largest retail chains.
As the retail giant enters a new phase of digital transformation, Kumar’s leadership will be crucial. While the layoffs have sparked discussions, his long-term vision for innovation and efficiency continues to shape Walmart’s global tech trajectory.
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