JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that coworker recruitment is underway for its future Jacksonville store, opening Fall 2017 along the northwestern corner of Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway, approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville. Candidates interested in working at the future IKEA Jacksonville should be monitoring and applying online at SeeACareerWithUs.com, and can find more information about IKEA at IKEA-USA.com.
“We are thrilled to offer jobseekers diverse positions with limitless opportunity at a global company known for being a great place to work,” said Leontyne Green Sykes, store manager. “IKEA offers a variety of positions for different coworkers’ interests so they can enjoy their job and contribute successfully. We believe it is as fun to work at IKEA as it is to shop at IKEA,” explained Green Sykes.
As IKEA Jacksonville progresses through the construction process, prospective coworkers can apply for the approximately 250 diverse positions available in: home furnishings sales, interior design/visual merchandising, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, facility management, warehouse receiving, stock replenishment, and child play area supervision. Also, setting itself apart from other retailers, IKEA Jacksonville offers approximately 50 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Foodmarket, Exit Bistro and coworker cafeteria. The recruitment effort is rolling, with the jobs posted online changing periodically based on timing need during the store’s build-up process.
Drawing from the company’s Swedish heritage, IKEA offers family-friendly initiatives and diverse workplace benefits including full medical/dental insurance to coworkers working 20 hours or more per week with eligibility for domestic partners and children. Most recently, IKEA announced an expanded policy for coworkers to receive up to four months of paid parental leave. Other benefits include: vacation, paid maternity/paternity leave and paid time off for child adoption, tuition assistance, a bonus program, 401(k) matching, a pension plan, professional development, training and mentoring programs, free uniforms, and – of course – a discount for shopping at IKEA.
Last year, IKEA was voted by coworkers as a Great Place to Work® on the ‘Fortune 20 Best Retail Workplaces’ list, received a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2016 Corporate Equality Index, and was listed as #3 on Forbes’ list of “Happiest Retailers to Work For.” Previously, the company has been included in rankings of “Best Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years.
The organization puts career opportunity into the hands of the individual, encouraging coworkers to consider assignments within different functions, at other IKEA stores or even in other countries. IKEA prides itself on the fact that an opportunity at IKEA truly can evolve into a career, potentially paving the way for a global experience as well. The company also places value and emphasis on coworkers’ personal lives and the importance of a work/life balance.
The 290,000-square-foot future IKEA Jacksonville and its 950 parking spaces reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA is known worldwide, and will include one of Florida’s largest retail solar rooftops, consistent with the solar presence at 90% of IKEA U.S. locations.
The store will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 325-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking.
IKEA will generate significant tax revenue for state and local governments. When IKEA Jacksonville opens in Fall 2017, the new store will welcome the newly hired 250 coworkers to the IKEA family of more than 14,000 in the United States and 155,000 globally. Until the future IKEA Jacksonville opens in Fall 2017, customers can shop at IKEA Orlando and IKEA Tampa or online at IKEA-USA.com. Two other IKEA stores are located in the South Florida cities of Sunrise and Sweetwater.
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 390 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 44 in the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.
