KUALA LUMPUR (July 17): Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA has launched a recruitment drive to fill more than 200 positions at its new store in Batu Kawan, Penang, which is scheduled for opening on March 28, 2019.

The available jobs encompass full-time and part-time vacancies, including roles in sales, customer relations, food and beverage, logistics and warehouse.

In a statement today, IKEA said a walk-in interview session will be carried out from July 27 to 29 at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya, Penang from 9am.

"Following the recruitment drive, successful candidates will undergo training ahead of the opening of IKEA Batu Kawan. The long lead-time ensures the team is well prepared to provide customers a consistent IKEA shopping experience," it added.

"We are ready to bring on board fans and individuals with a passion for home furnishing to join the foremost team for IKEA Batu Kawan," it said.

"We provide co-workers a fun and family-like environment to bring the same experience and sense of belonging for customers who visit our store," said IKEA Batu Kawan store manager Pathmalingam Arumugam.

Apart from providing exceptional career path and learning possibilities, IKEA said the group provides benefits such as medical benefits, a 15% co-worker discount for all IKEA products, subsidised meals at co-worker restaurant and seasonal gifts.

"In addition, co-workers are entitled to four consecutive months of maternity leave, as well as four weeks of paid time-off for new dads — a new policy that was introduced last year in the spirit of equality and inclusiveness," it said.

IKEA said the Batu Kawan store is part of the group's overall expansion plan in Southeast Asia.

"The first store in the northern region will further extend convenient access to well-designed, functional and quality home furnishings at affordable price," it added.