Woolworths set to cull office-based jobs in a bid to cut costs

Woolworths will make some office-based roles redundant as part of the supermarket’s broader restructure to cut costs and meet customers’ changing expectations.

It is not yet known how many jobs will be lost, but Woolworths said the redundancies would not be “significant” and would not affect store-based staff. It’s understood the redundancy process is in its initial stages.

“In this environment, as with all retailers, it’s even more important to manage our costs carefully to allow us to reinvest in providing value to our customers and improving our offer to meet their changing expectations,” a Woolworths spokesman told The Nightly.

“We recently announced some key leadership and structural changes to the Woolworths Retail business which will simplify how we run and organise the company.”

The job cuts are believed to be linked to the restructure of Woolworths’ flagship food arm, announced last week, which will create a larger division called Woolworths Retail.

Woolworths at the time said the rejig — which saw chief supply chain officer Annette Karantoni promoted as managing director of Woolworths Retail — would simplify the way the company operated.

This week, Woolworths also asked its 10,000 office staff to commit to spending at least three days a week in the office.

“In addition to this, we are reviewing our office team structures,” the company spokesman said.

“These are difficult decisions and we certainly don’t take them lightly. However, they are necessary to ensure our structure is agile, efficient and remains focused on customers. These changes will also make it easier for our partners to do business with us.

“We are sensitive that this will impact some of our office-based team and our aim is to treat those that may be impacted with respect, care and empathy over the coming weeks and months.”

The return-to-office mandate brings Woolworths in line with rival Coles, which last November told staff they needed to work in the office three days a week.