"Open positions include: bakers, chefs, cashiers and cheesemongers, as well as roles in areas such as deli, grocery, gourmet foods, meat and seafood, produce, restaurant and customer service," Giant Eagle said in a written announcement
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Giant Eagle Inc. is looking to hire about 600 people in Northeast Ohio: 350 for its Strongsville Market District store opening this fall and 250 for other area Giant Eagles, Market Districts and GetGo convenience stores.
The Pittsburgh-based grocer is hosting a job fair at 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the International Exposition Center (I-X Center) on Cleveland's West Side. Parking is free.
"We think about Market District as a destination," said Giant Eagle spokesman Dan Donovan. "For those in the area, it becomes their weekly grocery store," but other shoppers who live closer to Giant Eagle might view Market District as more of a specialty store they go to for gourmet food or a wine tasting.
View full sizeA chef demonstration area at the Giant Eagle Market District in Green. Vicki Clites, director of human resources for Market District, said Saturday's event will be more than just a place to apply for a job; it will introduce candidates to the culture of Giant Eagle.
The application process will include a 90-minute group interview and some role-playing, and the event will include chef demonstrations, food sampling and giveaways. Some people could receive job offers on the spot.
"Giant Eagle Market District is looking for candidates who love food and are passionate about delivering exceptional customer service," the company said in a written announcement. "Open positions include: bakers, chefs, cashiers and cheesemongers, as well as roles in areas such as deli, grocery, gourmet foods, meat and seafood, produce, restaurant and customer service."
Roughly half the jobs will be part-time, with a greater percentage of full-time positions in roles that have greater contact with customers, such as floral or deli, Clites said.
Giant Eagle employs about 9,400 people across 95 Giant Eagles (including the Market Districts), and 70 GetGo locations in Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne Counties.
As at Giant Eagle stores, many of the workers will be represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 880, under the same terms as the current Giant Eagle contract. Those in the bakery department will be represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local No. 19.
"This is great news for the community, for Giant Eagle, and for our union members," said Carl Ivka, president of UFCW Local 880, via email. "We are looking forward to the grand opening this fall."
Giant Eagle has not set a date for the Strongsville store opening, at 15919 Pearl Road, but said the adjacent GetGo gas station and convenience store will open July 31.
"Applications will be reviewed for the best possible fit for all current openings at Market District, Giant Eagle and GetGo Northeast Ohio area locations," the company added.
The Strongsville store will be similar in size and scope to the Market District stores in Solon and Green, and will be open 24-7.
Donovan said that contrary to earlier reports that the Strongsville Market District would not affect the nearby Giant Eagle at 17887 South Park Center, the company does plan to close that store when the Market District store on Pearl Road opens.
While none of the 150 Giant Eagle employees will lose their jobs, they will not all be transferred to the Market District store. Those who are interested in jobs at the new store will be considered for them, along with candidates from Saturday's job fair. When Giant Eagle has closed stores in the past, it has offered employees positions at other locations.
When asked if the pay scale differs between Giant Eagle and Market District employees, Donovan said: "Market District locations employ a number of roles and responsibilities not traditionally found in a Giant Eagle. For those positions that are comparable in responsibility, such as cashiers and grocery clerks, pay is comparable as well."
A fourth Market District at the Portage Crossing retail development in Cuyahoga Falls will open by the end of 2014.
Candidates can begin the application process in advance (and save time on Saturday) by logging on to marketdistrict.com/strongsville
When asked what candidates should bring, Clites said: "They just need to bring their friendly personality with them, and we'll be good to go."