Walmart Touts Career Ops

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has begun its holiday season with a special focus on greater career opportunities for associates. The Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer anticipates that in 2013, it will promote more than 160,000 associates to positions with higher pay and more responsibility, including 25,000 promotions during its fourth quarter alone.

As part of this initiative, top executives are making personal appearances at stores to congratulate promoted associates and thank them for their service. Executives visiting stores include Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO; Gisel Ruiz, Walmart U.S. COO; Michael Bender, president of Walmart West; Joaquin Gonzalez, president of Walmart East; and Mike Moore, president of Walmart Central.

“Our success from day one is a direct result of our associates and the hard work they do in taking care of our customers,” said Simon. “Like most Americans, our associates want good jobs and access to a better life. Whether you are a cashier in Charlotte, or a stocker in Dallas or an assistant manager in Los Angeles, Walmart wants to see you succeed.”

According to Walmart, it provides more employment opportunities than any other company in the United States. As well as standard salary and benefits, both full- and part-time Walmart associates are eligible for quarterly bonuses based on their respective stores’ performance. Associates also get a discount card to save 10 percent on most regularly priced general merchandise, fresh fruits and vegetables at any Walmart location.

The current round of promotions are in addition to Walmart’s determination in September to transition 35,000 associates from temporary to part-time and another 35,000 associates from part-time to full-time by the end of 2013.

Also this year, as part of an effort to offer greater flexibility to employees, Walmart is making available open shifts, giving associates the opportunity to pick up extra hours that fit with their personal schedules. The company is also providing priority status for existing employees to fill open positions, so current associates have first crack at applying for open store positions, and access to supervisor roles at stores throughout the United States.

Walmart operates 11,000 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries.