The Wet Seal Inc., a multichannel retailer of girl’s and women’s apparel, has hired Ken Seipel as president and chief operating officer. Seipel’s contract runs through March 28, 2014, and he will report to CEO Susan McGalla.

Seipel starts his new job Monday.

Seipel was president and chief merchandise and marketing officer of Pamida Discount Stores LLC. The general merchandise discount retailer has 200 stores, mostly in the Midwest, and $800 million in annual revenue.

The Wet Seal is No. 338 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide. Seipel also has experience with other retailers ranked in the Top 500 Guide. Before Pamida, he was executive vice president of stores, operations and store design for the Old Navy division of Gap Inc., No. 23 in The Top 500.  Earlier, he held merchandising and operations management jobs with Target Corp. (21) Shopko Stores Inc. and J. C. Penney Co. Inc. (16).

“Ken’s industry expertise and credentials, combined with his operational excellence, are an ideal fit for Wet Seal’s next phase of growth in the teen and young contemporary market,” McGalla says.