Musgrave GB has confirmed it is axing about 80 head office and supply chain staff as part of a restructure designed to “drive a more efficient business”.
The news of the redundancies, which are currently under consultation, comes a month after Musgrave Group posted a 16% fall in pre-tax profits for the year to 31 December 2013 on the back of its underperforming GB operations, which saw a 3% fall in sales.
Musgrave GB MD Peter Ridler, who took over the reins from Donal Horgan in May, said the move was a “necessary and immediate first step in Musgrave’s turnaround plan” and that through the consultation process it hoped to reduce the number of roles affected.
The wholesale giant declined to comment on which roles would be affected. However, a letter seen by The Grocer to retailers outlined changes to the Londis field sales team, suggesting this was one area of focus. “The previous roles of Regional Sales Manager and Business Development Controller have been replaced with one role, of Retail Development Controller,” it states.
The move follows Musgrave GB’s appointment just four months ago of seven BDC roles for Londis.
In addition, Jon Bleeze, who was appointed operations director for Budgens in March, will become central operations director for Londis and Budgens.
“We are working on a turnaround programme to ensure we deliver the best offer and services for our retail partners and shoppers,” said Ridler. “The first step is ensuring our own business operates efficiently.”
Turning around the GB business would “take time” and the restructuring was one of a number of initiatives being undertaken, he added.
A spokeswoman said the redundancies would have “no adverse impact” on its retailers.
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