Recruiting a full team for a store opening: the Delhaize Machelen case
Learn how to structure recruitment for a store opening and quickly attract qualified candidates, even in an area with low unemployment.
The starting point
Opening a new store involves a major constraint: the team has to be ready at the right time. Unlike a standard recruitment process, it’s not about replacing one person, but about building an entire team from scratch.
Delhaize Machelen needed to quickly recruit several profiles: store manager, assistant store manager, department managers, all-round employees, year-round student workers, and flexi-job workers. The recruitment also had to take into account the need for bilingual French-Dutch profiles.
The context was particularly challenging: no existing talent pool, a short deadline, and a geographical area with a very low unemployment rate.
Without a structured system, this type of recruitment can quickly become risky for the opening of the point of sale.
Why is a dedicated solution necessary for recruiting when opening a new store?
A store opening brings together several challenges at the same time.
- We need to recruit several different profiles in parallel.
- The deadlines are tight, because the opening cannot be delayed.
- Candidates must be quickly identified, contacted, and selected.
- Bilingual profiles may be harder to find depending on the geographical area.
- The local job market can be very tight, especially in areas with low unemployment rates.
In this context, every day counts. A scattered process, limited outreach, or lack of follow-up can slow down the entire project.
How Jobloom addresses these challenges
A targeted acquisition strategy
Jobloom implemented a distribution strategy tailored to the different profiles being sought. The job postings were not published in a generic way: each position required a specific approach.
The goal was to reach candidates where they actually are, with a clear message tailored to the opening project.
A careers site to showcase the project
A careers site was used to showcase the new store, the available opportunities, and the reasons to join the team.
In recruitment linked to a new opening, the project itself becomes a lever for attracting talent. Candidates need to understand that they are helping to create a new team, with a dynamic that is different from a standard replacement.
A simple application process
The careers site was designed to make applying easier. In a tight job market, an interested candidate must be able to apply quickly, without wasting time in a complex process.
This simplicity is essential to avoid losing the available profiles.
A management tool to control the volume
All applications were consolidated into a single tool. The teams could sort profiles, track progress, and prioritize the most relevant applications.
This oversight was essential for managing several recruitments at the same time.
Key features for a store opening
- Targeted distribution of offers based on the desired profiles.
- A dedicated careers site to present the opening project and the available positions.
- A streamlined application process to quickly capture interested candidates.
- Centralized application management to handle multiple positions in parallel.
- Structured monitoring to speed up decision-making and secure the schedule.
Results obtained
- The full team was assembled on time.
- Qualified, bilingual profiles have been recruited.
- The use of intermediaries has been reduced.
- The process remained smooth despite a strained market.
For Delhaize Machelen, structuring recruitment not only saved time. It also made it possible to secure the store opening and therefore commercial activity from day one.
FAQ
How do you recruit a full team for a store opening?
How do you recruit a full team for a store opening?
You need to combine targeted advertising, a clear careers site, and a tracking tool to process applications quickly.
Why is recruitment critical when opening a new location?
Why is recruitment critical when opening a new location?
Because the store needs to be fully operational from day one. Any delay in recruitment can have a direct impact on the business.
How to attract bilingual profiles for retail?
How to attract bilingual profiles for retail?
Job offers need to be tailored, shared through the right channels, and the friction in the application process must be reduced.
How to recruit in an area with low unemployment?
How to recruit in an area with low unemployment?
You need to maximize visibility, simplify the application process, and quickly process available profiles.
