Lauren Lewis: Buffalo Business First: What Amazon will need to fill 1,000 jobs in WNY's tight labor market

Lauren Lewis of StaffBuffalo is quoted by Buffalo Business First on the Amazon job increase and the effect on the WNY Market - here are a few excerpts. Click here to read the full article!!

“By Katie Anderson – Reporter, Buffalo Business First

If Amazon moves forward with plans to build a $300 million facility in Niagara County, the proposed regional distribution center and warehouse likely will create upwards of 1,000 jobs.

Local recruiting experts recognize it’s a huge opportunity for the region. In an already tight labor market, however, filling those positions will require a lot of planning that Amazon will execute in phases.

“You can find great people in the market right now, but you have to be able to flex a little bit on things like qualifications, schedules and benefit packages,” said Lauren Lewis, partner at StaffBuffalo LLC. “A company really has to come to the table prepared to do those things and have those conversations.”

Lewis said expect to see a lot of marketing from Amazon for those positions, along with open interviews and/or open houses.

“They have to start planting those seeds early, so people in this market know what’s going to be available to them at Amazon,” Lewis said. “Job seekers in Western New York are looking for flexibility, the ability to work remotely or flexible hours.”

Should Amazon come to town, local companies may want to revisit their retention plans since they most likely will be competing with a trillion-dollar company.

“You have to adapt how you are attracting talent. That will keep local companies competitive when a company like Amazon moves in and offers 1,000 jobs,” Lewis said.”