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Major Employers

They specialize in logistics, automotive retail, paper manufacturing, employment services and metals. They generate revenue in the hundreds of billions of dollars. They employ thousands.

They are the largest companies in Memphis—and they’re hiring.

If you’re looking for a job (or better yet, a career), you’d be well served to take a close look at Memphis employers for your job growth.

Here’s an inside look at some of the power players in Memphis:

FedEx

FedEx is known around the world as a leader in delivery services. Its trucks and air fleet are ubiquitous, and its purple-and-blue logo is seen on streets and in skies in nearly 200 countries from Albania to Zimbabwe.

And the company is also consistently recognized as one of the best places to work.

FedEx was founded in Memphis in the 1970s and has been a major fixture in the city ever since. FedEx employs approximately 30,000 people in Memphis, with employment opportunities spanning operations, marketing, inventory control, package handling, data science, project management and more.

If you’re interested in building a career with a major multinational corporation that drives Memphis job growth, consider FedEx, a Fortune 100 company that generates more than $45 billion in annual revenues.

Learn more about career opportunities at FedEx

ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster is known for delivering world-class residential and commercial services for more than 85 years. Specializing in disaster restoration, cleaning services, and mold remediation are just some of the essential services the company provides to 75,000 homes and businesses each day.

ServiceMaster officially relocated their headquarters, including over 2,000 employees, to downtown Memphis in 2017, continuing the city’s growth. The move included the opening of “Ground Floor” at ServiceMaster, a hub for IT innovation and an accelerator for local entrepreneurs and developers.  ServiceMaster employs an estimated 13,000 individuals nationally, with an additional 33,000 employees included as part of the company’s extensive franchise network.

ServiceMaster is an excellent option to consider when looking for companies that drive Memphis growth. The company delivered a six percent overall increase in revenue to over $2.9 Billion according to their 2017 annual report.

Learn more about ServiceMaster career opportunities

International Paper

In an increasingly green world, International Paper has emerged as a leader in the movement toward using renewable resources and recycling to make innovative products that improve the everyday lives of everyday people.

With operations in more than 24 countries, International Paper employs 55,000 people around the world including several thousand in Memphis. It’s a Fortune 500 company with $21 billion in total revenue known for offering challenging and rewarding assignments with a major focus on investing in its people in Memphis and around the world.

Learn more about working at International Paper

AutoZone

Employing more than 96,000 AutoZoners, with more than 6,400 stores in the U.S., Mexico and Brazil, AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. AutoZone’s Store Support Center is located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Started in 1979 based on a need founder J.R. “Pitt” Hyde III identified for automotive parts at the retail level, the original (then called) Auto Shack store was modeled after a grocery store: clean and well-organized with great customer service. In 1986, Auto Shack became AutoZone, later moving its headquarters to our city in 1995.

This Fortune 500 company specializes in selling automotive parts, and with annual revenues of more than $9 billion, it’s a company that’s on the move. In fact, Wall Street analysts recently noted its ” excellent growth stock”—and it’s also an excellent place to work.

Job opportunity areas include commercial operations, e-commerce, finance, human resources, loss prevention, store operations, supply chain operations, merchandising and more.

Learn more about jobs at AutoZone

First Horizon National Corporation

Over 6,000 people in Memphis work for First Horizon National Corporation, the bank holding company that owns First Tennessee Bank. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by American Banker and Working Mother magazines, as well as a top tech innovator by InformationWeek magazine. First Tennessee also has one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country. With over $40 billion in assets, First Tennessee has been helping businesses grow and people achieve their dreams since it was founded in 1864. Roles are available in wealth management, insurance, financial planning, and customer service.

Learn more about jobs with First Horizon

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memphis is proud to be the home of the world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, chosen by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials. “Millennials are committed to making a difference, and St. Jude, through its research and care, represents one of the best efforts for changing how medicine is practiced around the world,” said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and chief executive officer. St. Jude is a cancer center devoted solely to children, and is well known throughout the world for leading the charge in the fight to cure childhood cancers.

Learn more about jobs at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Working in healthcare can be incredibly rewarding. The sector offers competitive wages, professional challenges, personal fulfillment and the opportunity to help people.

In Memphis, Methodist Le Bonheur is the largest provider of healthcare services. It employs about 13,000 people, including physicians, nurses, counselors, aides, risk management professionals, administrative assistants, information technology specialists, human resources professionals, communicators, data analysts, analysts and more.

And it’s a great place to work. In 2017, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare made the “Fortune” list of the 100 best companies to work for.

Learn more about jobs at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Baptist Memorial Health Care

Regarded as one of the premier health care systems in America, Baptist Memorial Health Care covers 80 acres of East Memphis. Under the Baptist Memorial penumbra are the Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital, Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital, Baptist Heart Institute, Baptist Women’s Health Center and five physician office buildings.

Baptist Memorial has been a part of the Memphis community since 1912, when their first 150-bed facility opened. They renewed their commitment to our community in 1979, opening a new 706-bed facility, providing compassionate care and service through teamwork, trust and innovation.

Learn more about Baptist Memorial Hospital careers

Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew traces its over 160 years of history back to a small local pharmacy operated by Thomas James Smith in Hull, England in 1856. From those humble beginnings rose into a diverse healthcare conglomerate that operates worldwide. Still headquartered in the UK, Smith & Nephew focuses these days on medical equipment manufacture as well as wound management, endoscopy and orthopedic products.

Overall, medical device manufacturing employees 7,000 people in the Memphis area directly, and another 10,000 indirectly. The impact on the local Memphis economy can be felt to the tune of $2.4 billion per year.

Learn more about Smith & Nephew careers

Federal, State, County and City Government

Government jobs are gems hidden in plain sight.

In Memphis, more than 40,000 people earn a living and enjoy rewarding careers working for the federal government, the state of Tennessee, Shelby County and the City of Memphis. Jobs are open now with the corrections system, social services agencies, early intervention programs, the alcoholic beverage commission, child services, veterans’ affairs, workers’ compensation office, human rights commission and just about any other agency there is.

From administrative to professional, employment opportunities mirror those you find in the private sector and allow you to make a positive difference in your community while building a fulfilling career.

Learn more about federal government jobs in Memphis

Learn more about City of Memphis careers

Shelby County Schools

Educating nearly 50,000 students is no small task. In fact, it takes a team of talented and dedicated professionals to ensure students make it to school, have safe and well-functioning buildings in which to learn, can access the latest technology and enjoy exceptional classroom experiences.

And that’s exactly what makes Shelby County Schools run so smoothly—a talented and dedicated team of more than 11,500 employees.

The school district employs IT technicians, data analysts, security staff, transportation and logistics experts, nurses, public relations professionals and many others who work every day to help prepare students for success.

Learn more about Shelby County Schools 

Walmart

Sam Walton’s dream in 1950 was to offer value to customers at his first discount store in the small town of Benton, AR. That dream morphed into what we now know as Walmart, a huge conglomerate with branches all over the world.
Walmart now operates four supercenters in various local markets, making it one of the major employers in Memphis. They employ nearly 7,000 full-time associates at an hourly wage of $11.00 per hour. Walmart stores provide residents with access to purchase everything from groceries to electronics.
They employ more than 41,000 people across Tennessee and take in $757 million in revenue. Walmart also contributes by donating $40 million in cash and goods to local community organizations.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center

The UT Memphis campus employs nearly 4,000 people and is the central hub point for the college. The science center has six colleges offering various degrees in science and medicine. They also maintain teaching partnerships with four major hospitals in the area, including Methodist UT Hospital.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center contributes $2.7 billion to the Tennessee economy. They operate more than 100 clinical sites that provide access to health services to residents all over the state.

The Kroger Co.

An investment of $372 in 1883 by Barney Kroger led to what is now one of the top three retail chains in the world. There are currently 13 Kroger stores in the Memphis area that employ almost 7,000 people. Kroger continue to refine the products it provides by paying attention to trends and the needs of their customers.
Kroger offers a wide variety of natural foods and organic products to buyers concerned about the use of chemicals in foods. They’ve also expanded their hot food offerings as a convenience to busy shoppers who don’t always have time to cook for themselves. The stores seem well-positioned to continue to provide quality and value to Memphis residents.

XPO Logistics Supply Chain

XPO Logistics Supply Chain is one of the top 10 logistics companies in the world. They use cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of suppliers that require transportation and storage of various products. The Memphis branch employs 3,500 workers, one of nearly 1,440 locations the company has in more than 33 countries.
Technicolor
Technicolor is a major manufacturer of DVDs, Blu-ray and video games. Their operations currently take up more than 4 million square feet throughout the Memphis area. Technicolor employs 3,500 people and recently finalized plans to bring on nearly 1,000 more by expanding their available facilities in Memphis. These efforts are expected to provide another $63.5 million in revenue to the local economy.

Regional One Health

Regional One Health prides itself on leading the way when it comes to incorporating the latest technology in their health care efforts. They specialize in treating severely burned patients, doing what they can to give them a good quality of life once they leave. More than 2,600 Memphis-area employees assist in these efforts.
It also does what it can to contribute quality health care to local communities in Memphis. Regional One Health recently opened a campus in East Memphis to bring modernized health care access to that area. These are just some of the many ways it looks out for the Memphis region.

Memphis has unstoppable job growth

Take a fresh look at Memphis. Doesn’t it tell you something that so many major players in different industries choose to make their home here? Are you surprised by how many startups grew into world leaders here on Chickasaw Bluff? Find out for yourself why Memphis is an unstoppable city for business and career growth. And don’t forget to bring your soul.

Learn more about jobs in Memphis

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