The Minneapolis-based retailer struggled to get ahead last year. It faced a massive data breach that affected as many as 110 million customers, a faltering Canadian expansion that lost $1 billion and an overall 34% drop in profits. The company also has a hole in its top leadership: former CEO Gregg W. Steinhafel, a 35-year Target employee, stepped down in the face of growing criticism that the retailer hadn’t reacted soon enough to prevent the data theft. Target is working with recruitment firm Korn Ferry, hinting that it may hire its first chief executive from outside the company.