Woolworths to Offshore Hundreds of Corporate Roles, Retail Giant Begins Major Restructure to Cut Costs and Boost Efficiency

Woolworths is preparing to offshore hundreds of corporate jobs, with staff consultations beginning today as part of a sweeping restructure aimed at reducing costs and streamlining operations. The company employs around 10,000 people in its corporate division, and while it has not confirmed exact numbers, the impact is expected to be significant across departments including People, IT and Finance.

A Woolworths spokesperson said the retailer must stay competitive as global players expand into Australia, adding that the business needs to “remove complexity and drive efficiency” to keep prices low for customers. They noted that Woolworths has long operated teams across Asia and regularly reviews its global workforce model to access specialised capabilities and reduce overheads.

The company emphasised that restructuring is an ongoing part of operating in a fast‑moving retail environment. Despite the corporate cuts, Woolworths said it plans to open 24 new stores across Australia and New Zealand over the next year, creating around 2,500 new roles.

The move aligns with Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Barwell’s long‑term strategy to reposition the business for sustainable growth. Last year, she outlined plans to achieve $400 million in savings from “above‑store support office costs,” signalling a shift toward leaner corporate operations.

Woolworths now joins a growing list of major companies shifting support functions offshore as labour costs rise and competition intensifies across the retail sector.