Justin Howells’s journey with Target began over two decades ago when he joined the company as a part-time employee during his college years in San Diego. Initially, the position was simply a means to earn money for textbooks and additional expenses, and it was not anticipated to serve as a long-term career path. However, this seemingly temporary role gradually transformed into a substantial professional trajectory that has spanned 23 years.
Throughout his time at Target, Howells experienced significant personal and professional development. As he matured, started a family, and advanced his career, he undertook various roles including store leadership and opening new stores, gaining comprehensive experience across the organization. Today, he holds the position of group vice president for the Pacific Northwest region, a role he has maintained for the past two years.
Central to Howells’s reflection on his career progression is the team-oriented culture at Target. He describes each store as embodying a close-knit, almost familial environment, which has been a pivotal factor in his longstanding commitment to the company. This nurturing atmosphere prioritizes continuous development, support, and learning opportunities.
"The culture is very much about growth," Howells explains. "There’s a genuine desire to teach and assist team members in improving their skills and capabilities." He notes that fostering proficiency among employees can require patience, but values an environment that accommodates learning from errors alongside current performance.
Adding to his positive experience, Howells highlights the influence of his leaders throughout the years. Beyond focusing solely on job performance, his supervisors have demonstrated concern for his overall contribution to the company as well as his personal development. This holistic approach involves engaging in conversations about employees’ life goals and aspirations, which has contributed to stability within his teams and reinforced his dedication to Target.
In parallel with this leadership philosophy, Howells reveals his genuine enthusiasm for retail work. He finds satisfaction in hands-on tasks such as stocking shelves and labeling products, activities he regards as fundamental to the store’s operation. He contrasts this personal fulfillment with other vocational passions, noting the essential diversity of roles within the workforce. For him, knowing where items like detergent and toothpaste are located epitomizes his connection to the customer experience.
A cornerstone of his approach to both work and leadership is respect. He believes that no task should be considered beneath anyone, and he personally engages in duties such as litter collection and parking lot maintenance. "If you adopt this mindset, you’ll learn a tremendous amount from those around you," he states.
Howells further emphasizes the significance of transparent communication regarding career ambitions. Starting as a team member who completed routine shelf stocking while attending school, he proactively voiced his aspirations for advancement. He expressed desires to become a team leader, progressed to an executive team leader, and eventually succeeded in becoming a store director. This openness about future goals played a critical role in his upward movement within the company.
Moreover, Howells believes sustained investment in colleagues is crucial for long-term success. Although he no longer participates personally in shelf stocking duties—these responsibilities are now managed by teams across multiple stores—he acknowledges the indispensable support they provide. He remains conscious that current team members performing entry-level tasks could be future executives, and that Target maintains an inclusive atmosphere welcoming those interested in expanding their roles beyond initial expectations.
He reflects, "Many start here because it’s a convenient way to finance educational or transportation needs, but discover greater opportunities within the company." According to Howells, those who are motivated and engaged find their potential within Target to be practically boundless.