Food and drug retail veteran Bryan Pugh — most recently of Fred’s and, before that, Walgreens — has shifted to a new retailing segment with his move to Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Bryan Pugh

The fabric and craft specialty retailer announced that Pugh has joined the company as executive vice president of stores and store operations, a newly created position that reports directly to president and CEO Jill Soltau.

In the role, Pugh will handle financial, operational and cultural leadership at the chain, which has about 850 stores in 49 states.

“Bryan is a diverse and experienced leader, and I’m thrilled to add him to our leadership team,” Soltau stated. “Bryan’s broad experience in operations, merchandising and marketing in global, highly competitive and strategic retailers provides a strong and diverse base of knowledge equipping him to lead and support our field and operations teams, and represent our customer every day.”

Pugh previously served as chief merchandising and marketing officer at Fred’s since joining the discount chain in March 2015. But last month Fred’s announced that Pugh had resigned and was replaced by Mary Lou Gardner.

Pugh had left Walgreens in October 2014. Most recently, he served as vice president of U.S. merchandising, program development and execution at the drug chain, which he joined in 2009.

His 30-plus years of retail experience also includes Tesco plc, where he was executive vice president of operations for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets, chief operating officer and senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for Tesco Lotus Stores.

Pugh began his career at Walmart’s Sam’s Club division, where he held roles in operations, merchandising and marketing.