Meijer Eliminates 500 Store Manager Positions
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Following a re-evaluation last month of 4,200 positions at its 179 supercenters across the Midwest, Meijer Inc. here said last Friday it had eliminated 500 store managerial jobs.
Executives at the regional supercenter were not available to provide further details at the end of last week.
According to local press reports, some 500 managers were given severance packages, while others were relocated to other Meijer stores and/or reassigned to different positions.
The retailer spent the past month interviewing 4,200 department managers to determine the best use of personnel and work responsibilities. Each supercenter has roughly 20 to 25 department managers.
"After realignment, about 12 percent of the (managers) were provided severance packages," Meijer spokeswoman Stacie Behler was quoted as saying in local reports. "We need to put the right people in the right roles and want to re-focus our strategies," said Behler, adding the company recognized "we don't need as many people."
Hourly workers were not involved in the process, nor were corporate employees, who were also exempt in the review process. The layoffs were based on the size and volume of each store, and we recognize we don't need as many (managers), Behler said.
The company said the cutbacks were necessary to make sure the right employees are doing the jobs that best suit their skills.
With over 40 different departments within each store, including pharmacies in all of its locations, Meijer operates 179 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.
Executives at the regional supercenter were not available to provide further details at the end of last week.
According to local press reports, some 500 managers were given severance packages, while others were relocated to other Meijer stores and/or reassigned to different positions.
The retailer spent the past month interviewing 4,200 department managers to determine the best use of personnel and work responsibilities. Each supercenter has roughly 20 to 25 department managers.
"After realignment, about 12 percent of the (managers) were provided severance packages," Meijer spokeswoman Stacie Behler was quoted as saying in local reports. "We need to put the right people in the right roles and want to re-focus our strategies," said Behler, adding the company recognized "we don't need as many people."
Hourly workers were not involved in the process, nor were corporate employees, who were also exempt in the review process. The layoffs were based on the size and volume of each store, and we recognize we don't need as many (managers), Behler said.
The company said the cutbacks were necessary to make sure the right employees are doing the jobs that best suit their skills.
With over 40 different departments within each store, including pharmacies in all of its locations, Meijer operates 179 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.