PLEASANTON, CA - Safeway looks to be on a bit of a hiring spree.

Though the retailer just filled about 2,000 positions over the last couple of months, it is on the lookout to hire about 1,600 more for various positions in its Eastern Division.

According to a statement Safeway Spokesman Craig M. Muckle made to the Baltimore Sun, the spree is part of an increased focus to serve consumers more effectively.

“While we have already brought on many interested in summer employment, we are more interested in applicants who may wish to pursue a career in retail grocery,” Lisa Umali, Safeway’s Eastern Division Director of Human Resources, said, according to the Washington Business Journal.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Safeway is looking for those that want a retail grocery career, with positions available in several store departments including:

• Produce Clerks
• Department Managers
• Assistant Managers
• Food and Service Clerks
• Courtesy Positions

Umali stated that the company would be particularly interested in applicants with prior experience in grocery positions, as well as interviewing “anyone currently working for a local union competitor who may be considering a buyout from that company," according to the report.

As we previously reported, Albertson’s recently began the process of going public, with Safeway included under the umbrella. Right now, the retailer’s Eastern Division employs 14,000 in 125 stores, located across Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. 850 of the 1,600 open positions are located in the Maryland region.