Praktiker: Recruiting a middle manager takes three months

The recruiting of a middle retail manager takes three months, according to Praktiker Romania Human Resources Manager, Liliana Urziceanu.

The company’s HR Manager added that there is much competition to find retail middle managers as these are hunted also by other companies. Since retail networks are constantly expanding, there is a greater need for a specialized workforce in sales to form teams for new stores. “Current supply does not meet present demand in retail, in terms of volume and training,” Liliana Urziceanu explains.

The main HR objective of Praktiker Romania for 2008 is to provide personnel for the network’s countrywide expansion. The company has over 2,400 employees, of which 65 percent are commercial workers, and it targets an increase to 3,000 employees by the end of the year.

Praktiker hires staff for central departments, such as acquisitions, accounting and new store development projects.

Employee fluctuation in retail exceeds 20 percent, according to Liliana Urziceanu. To decrease this phenomenon, Praktiker has implemented monthly fluctuation reports, periodic meetings between management and employees, and a systematic analysis of exit interviews.

To recruit personnel, the company uses internal promotions, especially for management positions in stores and departments.
Praktiker Romania, one of the main home improvement store operators in Romania, plans to open five more stores in 2008. The company’s main competitors are Bricostore, BauMax, Mr. Bricolage, Hornbach and Tekzen.