Coles is said to be recruiting thousands of team members to help move more stock into stores and onto supermarket shelves, as Covid-related supply chain issues continue to impact the availability of essential food and groceries.
According to Coles, these new recruits are being “fast-tracked” into stores and distribution centres to help existing team members replenish stores quicker and address ongoing product shortages across the country.
To supplement the efforts of Coles’ own recruitment team, the retailer has partnered with external employment service providers including Jobs Victoria. This, says Coles, has helped identify suitable candidates and fill thousands of roles in online order fulfilment, stock replenishment, customer service, order delivery, distribution centre operations and forklift drivers.
Coles has also offered additional shifts to eligible team members, providing them with an opportunity to earn extra income, and training them in new skills so that they can work in different roles when needed to cover for colleagues in isolation.
Coles Executive General Manager of Central Operations and Transformation Kevin Gunn says the recruitment drive would help the retailer to recover from the supply chain issues of recent weeks.
“Every part of the food supply chain has seen increased numbers of staff isolating, from farmers, food processors and the transport sector to our distribution centres and stores – and the end result has been fewer products available for customers,” he says.
“Our team members are working very hard, but they need extra help. So, we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of new recruits to our stores and distribution centres to help us fill our shelves as quickly as possible.”
