THE FRENCH call centre group Teleperformance is to create up to 200 additional jobs at its Newry operation as a result of a major new contract.

The group, which currently employs 2,000 people in the North, has won a further contract with British supermarket giant Sainsbury’s which is already one of its clients.

Teleperformance will provide both a helpline and customer service facilities to support the launch of a new non-food merchandise section on Sainsbury’s website. David Davidson, Sainsbury’s regional operations manager for Northern Ireland, said it was delighted to be creating more jobs in Northern Ireland.

“Teleperformance in both Newry and Bangor manage a number of Sainsbury’s call centre services. This call centre job announcement shows our commitment to Northern Ireland in all capacities,” he added.

The supermarket group also confirmed it has created an additional 100 jobs in the North at a new store in west Belfast which is due to open later in the summer.

The Sainsbury’s contract is a welcome boost for Teleperformance’s Northern Ireland operations which consists of two substantial call centres in Newry and Bangor.

Last month, it lost a contract to provide customer service support to BetEire Flow, the company which manages the M50 toll system.