Pick n Pay Group (PnP) is a fast-moving consumer goods retail business operating one of the largest online grocery platforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. With 35,000 employees, the retailer was facing several significant workforce challenges relating to the ability to extend its on-premise HR system.
Finding a one-catch-all product
The group was hoping to find a solution that could answer opposing demands. Employers needed the capability to optimize their workforces and to fill gaps at a moment’s notice, while workers needed the ability to quickly change their addresses, apply for leave, change shifts and complete common HR tasks on their own from any device, anywhere.
PnP did not have extensive employee self-service capabilities in place, and it had ambitions for empowering managers through real-time data and reporting that its legacy system could not support easily and cost effectively.
It enables us to offer services that were inconceivable with an on-premise core HR system.
A transformation buy-in
Building upon a long-standing relationship, PnP leaders worked with Deloitte to select and implement Workday Human Capital Management (HCM). The timeline for the implementation was aggressive, with the team aiming to go live with all of the desired functionality in only nine months.
Delivered in two phases, the project firstly aimed to implement a Workday HCM Core for absence and time off, learning, reporting, security and data, followed by a second wave that would focus on tools for talent and performance management.
With users familiar with PnP’s existing customized functionality, the engagement team was challenged to redesign and communicate new standardized ways of working for greater efficiency in the cloud. Another challenge involved the company’s distinct approach to absence management, which is likely to be encountered in other Southern African businesses.
“PnP’s Workday project team was very engaged and committed to finding the right solution,” says Glen Krynauw, HRT Director and lead engagement partner, Deloitte South Africa. “They both provided input and were open to suggestions, which helped us to create some magic in the Workday system to cope with their specific requirements.”
A Workday first
PnP became the first retailer in South Africa to offer Workday HCM to its employees and managers. With its new cloud-based HCM system, PnP can manage the organization in a global, core HR platform, eliminating repetitive tasks and procedures, maintaining data accuracy and quality and streamlining and standardizing processes.
Meeting the self-service needs of employees and managers, PnP can now manage talent and performance by empowering HR to become a business partner rather than doing administrative tasks for the workforce.
Chris Shortt, group executive, information and technology (CITO), PnP, said: “The Workday product has modernized our business. It enables us to offer services that were inconceivable with an on-premise core HR system while integrating easily with our legacy back-office systems.”
Clare Mulliner, programme manager, PnP, said: “Deloitte went through this entire journey with us side by side. They were willing to listen and to develop a plan to meet our needs.”
Thanks to the retailer’s strong relationship, PnP is well-positioned to sustain its HCM system moving forward. The company is also well-prepared to adopt Workday’s ongoing innovations, giving it the opportunity to continuously adapt to the future of work.
