Food Lion parent company Delhaize cutting 350 corporate jobs | Business

SALISBURY - Food Lion's parent company, Delhaize America, will lay off about 350 corporate employees as part of an ongoing reorganization that started in December.

"As previously announced, Delhaize America has been focused on implementing a new organizational structure that enables the company to operate more effectively and efficiently," Delhaize spokesperson Christy Phillips-Brown told WBTV.  "In support of this continued work, the company has made a number of organizational changes across Delhaize America, which will be communicated to associates this week.  These decisions will result in nearly 500 fewer positions, including the elimination of 150 open positions.  These decisions were carefully considered and made with the ultimate goal of serving our customers, growing our business and creating shareholder value."

All of the layoffs will be above the level of a store manager, according to an internal memo sent by Roland Smith, CEO of Delhaize America, and shared on Tuesday. 

Workers will know by February 12 if they will lose their job. In total, Delhaize America is eliminating 500 positions, including 150 positions that were open.

Last month, Delhaize America cut 25 percent of high-level leadership positions, including that of Food Lion president Cathy Green-Burns, and internally unveiled a new organization structure that includes 50 officers. Fifteen executives lost their jobs at that time.

"Today’s layoff announcement continues the new strategy," according to Phillips-Brown.

Phillips-Brown did not say how many Salisbury based workers will lose their jobs. Delhaize America employs a total of about 100,000 people.