Woolworths regional Australian CEO John Dixon has left the group as the retailer moves to simplify its Australian regional leadership structure.

In a shareholder announcement Woolworths said that Dixon's position was being axed in the wake of a strategic cost review. Dixon resigned as an executive director on Monday. 

"We would like to thank John for his stewardship of the business over the last two and a half years and wish him every success for the future," it said in a statement.

As part of the leadership restructuring, the chief executives of the group’s two Australian operating divisions - David Thomas of David Jones and Scott Fyfe of the Country Road Group - will report directly to Woolworths group CEO Ian Moir.

The retailer's shares were trading at R60.00 on the JSE at 10:15, up 0.17% on the day.