Update, April 29, 4:57 p.m. - The Ga. Department of Labor in Monroe is still accepting resumes on behalf of General Mills, but only for forklift positions. Interested applicants should fax resumes to (770) 207-4118 or call (770) 207-4111 for more details.
Construction of the new General Mills distribution center in Social Circle is nearing completion, and third-party hiring firm Exel will begin interviewing and hiring candidates soon.
Exel expects to hire 129 hourly employees and 13 salaried employees for administrative, clerical and warehousing positions said Stacie Noel, Exel’s communications manager. No manufacturing will take place at the facility, only distribution.
Residents can apply by mailing their resumes to the Monroe office of the Georgia Department of Labor, at P.O. Box 924, Monroe, Ga. 30655.
Resumes can also be faxed to the office at (770) 207-4118, or submitted in person to 226 Alcovy Street, Suite B-5 in Monroe.
Nancy Kinsey, executive director of the Walton County’s development authority, said Exel will screen the resumes and will invite qualified candidates to submit an application and schedule an interview. Kinsey said candidates should be receiving calls any day.Kinsey said Exel is looking for applicants with warehousing and shipping experience. Forklift certification and related skills are a big plus, she said. Exel is also looking for applicants who are Work Ready certified. For more information about this certification visit gaworkready.org and the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce’s Web site, newtonchamber.com.
Kinsey said the Monroe GDOL office will organize the resumes into groups based on the certifications and previous distribution experience. However, while the certifications provide a leg up on the competition, they are not a requirement. If applicants need help putting together a resume they should visit their local DOL office.
Noel said Exel works with local DOLs because her company believes that is the best way to reach out to the unemployed members of the community.
Once candidates are contacted they will be interview and will have to go through standard background and drug screenings.
As for the actual construction of 1.5-million-square foot, $42 million distribution center; the building is completed. Kinsey said construction has started to relocated utilities, lay new water and sewer lines and build a rail spur to the plant. The proximity to the CSX railroad was an important factor in General Mills decision to locate in Social Circle. Road improvements will also begin in late March.
The center will take up 50 acres of a 132-acre property located at 5239 E. Hightower Trail, Social Circle.
The facility will be General Mills’ largest domestic distribution center, will carry General Mills full line of dry, non-refrigerated goods and will be LEED-silver certified.
The Georgia Economic Developers Association gave the Development Authority of Walton County one of its ‘Deal of the Year’ awards for bringing the food giant to its county. The plant is expected to after June 1.
