Woolworths Group managing director and chief executive Brad Banducci will step down in September and be replaced by Amanda Bardwell, the managing director of the supermarket group's ecommerce arm.
Mr Banducci is leaving after 13 years with the group, eight and a half as its CEO.
Chairman Scott Perkins said Wednesday that Mr Banducci had led a remarkable turnaround of the company and built a team of amazing calibre.
"The test of any CEO is to leave the business in much better shape than when they started," Mr Perkins said.
"On that simple metric, history will judge Brad to have been one of Woolworth Group's finest leaders."
Ms Bardwell will commence her new role as Woolworths Group's 13th CEO - and first woman CEO - on September 1.
Mr Perkins called Ms Bardwell a proven leader, business builder and modern retailer who had taken WooliesX from infancy to a $7 billion market-leading business.
"Amanda is highly respected throughout the organisation and I know, like Brad, will live our purpose and work hard to achieve Woolworths Group's full potential."