Serving the People: How Demand for Convenience Means Demand for Top Talent

Wholesale clubs like BJ’s have been crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people have relied on them to stock up on everything they need for their families, including food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. As BJ’s membership has increased, so has the need for talent. Mark Griffin, Chief Human Resources Officer of BJ’s, discusses the ways in which the wholesaler retains and develops its employees, and explains the importance of prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of both workers and customers.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in industrial psychology, Griffin began his career at CVS Health, where he worked for almost 19 years, serving as Senior Vice President of Corporate Human Resources before moving to BJ’s. Today, Griffin oversees more than 30,000 team members for the Fortune 500 retailer. With more than 30 years of HR experience, he delivers results by focusing on human capital strategies. In addition to holding his role at BJ’s, Griffin serves as a board member of Children’s Friend, a nonprofit child services organization based in Providence, Rhode Island.

Some Questions Asked:

• How was BJ’s able to support employees and serve the public at the beginning of the pandemic? (4:31)
• BJ’s recently acquired the assets and operations of four distribution centers. From an HR standpoint, how do you prepare for merging operations? (10:20)
• Why is BJ's relocating their headquarters? (13:22)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How BJ’s retains its employees through cultivating an environment of belonging.
• About using virtual town halls as a way to engage in active listening and meet employee needs.
• How BJ’s plans to transition its employees from a remote to a hybrid work environment with new, updated offices.

Links:

• Mark Griffin - BJ’s company profile
• Mark Griffin - LinkedIn
• BJ’s Wholesale Club - LinkedIn
• Michelle Labbe - LinkedIn
• The Talent Economy podcast