Walmart’s latest fulfillment center to open in Mississippi
Walmart is set to break ground. The company plans to build a fulfillment center in Olive Branch to support the retailer’s rapidly increasing supply chain network and eCommerce business. The facility will be a 1,000,000+ square-foot fulfillment center, which is located at 10480 Marina Drive and is set to open in Spring 2022. The new Olive Branch-based facility will create approximately 250 full-time, permanent jobs across the region.
“Walmart is proud to welcome its newest fulfillment center to the city of Olive Branch as we continue to grow our national supply chain network and eCommerce capabilities in the mid-South,” said Steve Miller, senior vice president of supply chain operations, Walmart U.S. “The new facility will store millions of items from Walmart’s everyday low-priced merchandise, which will be ready to be shipped directly to customers with the great speed that they expect.”
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Walmart noted that its fulfillment centers are an important part of the retailer’s supply chain network. Unlike distribution centers, which are focused on receiving, storing and distributing products to Walmart stores, fulfillment centers are focused on storing millions of items that are picked, packed and shipped directly to customers as soon as next day. The facility is part of a broader initiative to add more capacity into Walmart’s supply chain as the retailer prepares for growth. In Q3 of FY22, Walmart’s U.S. eCommerce sales grew 8% for the quarter and 87% over the past two years.
“This significant investment by Walmart — in both a new fulfillment center and in DeSoto County’s workforce — is important to the overall economy of the region and the entire state. Hundreds of new employees at the Olive Branch fulfillment center will strengthen the local tax base, building stronger communities throughout the region that will benefit generations of Mississippians to come,” said Gov. Tate Reeves.
The fulfillment center is currently hiring full-time positions, including the following leadership positions: general manager, assistant general manager, maintenance manager, transportation manager, human resources manager, environmental health and safety operations manager and systems area manager.
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Full-time positions qualify for Walmart’s total rewards and benefits plans, including medical, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, a quarterly incentive program and access to a free college degree 100% paid for by Walmart.
Walmart noted that it operates three distribution centers, 86 retail stores and employs 25,000+ associates in the state of Mississippi. In fiscal year 21, stores, clubs and the Walmart Foundation gave $6.7 million in cash and in-kind donations to local Mississippi organizations. In neighboring Tennessee, Walmart operates 3 distribution centers, 150 retail stores and employs 42,000+ associates. In FYE 21, stores, clubs and the Walmart Foundation gave $37.5 million in cash and in-kind donations to local Tennessee organizations.