Walmart to Hire 20,000 New Supply Chain Workers

Walmart is planning to hire 20,000 permanent associates to support operations at its Walmart and Sam's Club distribution centers, fulfillment centers and transportation offices, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer announced. 

The full- and part-time positions will be for a variety of roles, including order fillers, freight handlers, lift drivers, technicians and managers, according to the company. In a nod to the labor crunch many retailers say they're seeing across their operations and supply chains, Walmart stated, "We know that offering competitive pay is essential in order to build a network for the future" and noted that the average wage for its supply-chain workers is $20.37 an hour. Health benefits, the company added, are available starting at $30.50 per pay period. 

See also: Aldi Bumps Wages, Eyes 20,000 New Hires

Walmart will host hiring events Sept. 8–9 at all of the company's 250 U.S. supply-chain facilities; information on specific events and open positions can be found at careers.walmart.com.

At the end of July, Walmart announced it was doubling its cash incentive—to $150—for field-based associates to get vaccinated against COVID-19. New supply-chain hires who get vaccinated before Oct. 4 as well as those who were vaccinated before their hire date will be eligible for the bonus, Walmart stated.

Two weeks ago, Walmart Inc. reported better-than-expected financial results for the second fiscal quarter of the year, including comp sales growth of 5.2% at Walmart U.S. stores and 7.7% at Sam's Club stores. Transactions, too, climbed 6.1% at Walmart stores, and e-commerce sales were up 6% (103% on a two-year stack). In a call with investors and analysts, Walmart Inc. President and CEO Doug McMillon cited speed as the company's top strategic priority. 

"For our supply chain to continue expanding, innovating and improving our customer service, we need a strong, dynamic team leading it," Walmart U.S. supply-chain executives Joe Metzger and Karisa Sprague wrote in the company's Sept. 1 hiring announcement. Metzger, executive VP of supply-chain operations, and Sprague, senior VP for supply-chain HR, emphasized the opportunity to work with advanced technology in Walmart's new high-tech grocery distribution and microfulfillment centers as well as Walmart's recent announcement that it will fund 100% of tuition and book expenses for associates attending college through the company's Live Better U. education program.