We are a fast paced, highly energetic company where self motivation goes a long way," says Carolyn Lyle, senior manager of diversity and EEO of FedEx Ground.
FedEx Ground, formerly Roadway Package Services (RPS), is a sister company of Federal Express. Its headquarters are near Pittsburgh, PA. FedEx Ground provides delivery service to businesses and residences in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. The company operates independently, but works closely with other companies in the FedEx family, which now includes the FedEx Kinko's chain of document solution and business services shops.
FedEx Ground is currently in growth mode, Lyle says, and is actively seeking both engineers and IT professionals. The company hires IEs, CEs, MEs and EEs. Most MEs, EEs and CEs oversee expansion or creation of new facilities. IEs generally work on route and peak-time planning to ensure smooth and on-time deliveries.
IT pros work in many parts of the company, says Melanie Morsey, HR rep for FedEx Ground's IT department. "Recently we developed customs software to ship packages across the Canadian and Mexican borders. International shipment can be an interesting area for new hires."
IT candidates can expect to work with C, C++, Java, Unix, Peoplesoft, Oracle and even RPG, in a mix of new and legacy systems. There are openings at all levels. "We are preparing to fill more positions with entry-level people," says Morsey. "We want to build employees and have them progress up the technical path."
Most engineering and IT positions are located at corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania, but there are also some tech jobs at large hubs located in New Jersey, Ohio, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles. In the next year, Morsey reports, expansion plans will take the company to thirty hubs throughout the U.S. and Canada.
FedEx Ground has active co-op and internship programs. Recruiting is in the fall and spring for summer interns, according to Amy Laskody and Joanne Tayman, HR reps for engineering. "IT and engineering are constantly recruiting. We often convert these interns into full-time employees," Tayman adds.
Once hired, new employees may attend formal leadership and operation training. The company also hires from within to give employees the chance to see all aspects of the business. "If somebody started as a civil engineer, they could easily move into the industrial side of engineering to learn all of the different avenues available," explains Tayman.
Career fair attendance is a major part of the company's recruitment plan. FedEx Ground recruiters attend fairs at Howard University (Washington, DC), Morgan State (Baltimore, MD), Wilberforce (OH) University and other predominantly black universities. They also attend career fairs with a diversity focus and several events aimed at people leaving the military.
Support for diversity was affirmed in 2003 with the creation of an executive diversity council. Community involvement is one active part of the council's efforts, and part of the recruiting effort as well, says Lyle. "When we are involved in the community not only do we get more customers, but we find more people who want to work for us," she explains.
FedEx Ground has developed a relationship with the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The company also sponsors a National Disability Awareness Day, works closely with the University of Pittsburgh's NSBE chapter, and is an active member of the Women in Transportation Seminar national networking group. In addition, the company partners with the YWCA Center for Race Relations in Pittsburgh in a program called Sister to Sister, which promotes dialogue on racism and discrimination in the city and surrounding areas.
"We are trying to get the message out that we embrace differences here," says Lyle. "We want to establish ourselves as leaders in Pittsburgh and hope that it spills over nationally."
Each month, the company acknowledges a different facet of the workforce. "We have gay/lesbian recognition in June, women's equality day in August, and Spanish heritage recognition in September. We are trying to bring our differences to the forefront so everybody can feel valued," Lyle says.
FedEx Ground conducts frequent team-building exercises to promote company unity. "One of our values is that we work together as a team with trust and respect," says Lyle. Each new fiscal year begins with a kickoff meeting to celebrate project milestones and give out employee awards.
"One of our new employees came from the steel industry, and was really surprised by our employee recognition," recalls Lyle. "We had a five-piece band playing, and the president of the company was giving out recognition awards to corporate employees. We were really celebrating."
Because of the company's rapid growth, FedEx Ground is working hard to find new avenues for recruitment and to polish the perception of its Pittsburgh location. "We want people to know that the sky's the limit here," says Lyle. "There is always more work to do and there is always opportunity!"
D/C
www.fedex.com/us/ground/main
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Headquarters: |
Moon Township, PA |
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Employees: |
42,800 |
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Revenues: |
$3.9 million |
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Business: |
Ground delivery services for small packages throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico |
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