Five great reasons to join the Aldi Graduate Area Manager Programme

1. Training

You’ll need to bring your ambition! The year spent on Aldi’s Graduate Area Manager Programme is very structured (you can find all the details of what you’ll be doing each week on Aldi’s website ) and will help you develop your skills in leadership, teamwork, strategic thinking, motivating and developing a team, and target-setting (and achieving!). Throughout the recruitment process the Aldi Recruitment Team will be looking to see if you’ve got the drive and determination to suit this demanding and rewarding role. Having a 2.1 degree, and enjoying the process of learning, is just the start. At Aldi you will continue to learn and develop yourself, learning how to manage new challenges every day. Chandni, who studied biology and biomedical psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, explains: ‘The structured training plan put me through so many different scenarios that really enhanced my leadership skills. The main thing that I learnt was how to tailor my approach. I now know how to get the right results from every one of my colleagues, in the best way possible.’

2. Career progression

It’s hard work on the Graduate Area Manager Programme but if you’re really committed there are some fantastic opportunities to progress. After the first year – which will involve getting to grips with all aspects of running an Aldi store – you’ll be responsible for managing around four stores of your own. Rob, an Area Manager who studied international relations at the University of Birmingham, was impressed with how quickly his career took off: ‘I don’t know of any other graduate programme where you’re responsible for a £multi-million pound business within 18 months or less,’ he says. This means of course that you need to be resilient and able to learn from experiences to move forward and succeed. During years two, three and beyond you’ll manage your area and push your limits. And, after a few years, you might be ready for the next challenge. That’s why Aldi offer high-performing Area Managers even more amazing opportunities. Taking on a specialist secondment, your role might see you relocate within the UK to lead Logistics colleagues, head up a team in Head Office, or move to a different country. Lasting 18-24 months, all of Aldi’s secondments are an amazing opportunity to learn more about the business, and yourself. There are permanent progression opportunities too: many Aldi Directors (and even their CEO) started out as Area Managers.

3. The salary

Refreshingly, Aldi is very open about the salary you can expect to receive while on its Graduate Area Manager Programme. You’ll work hard and be expected to learn quickly, but you’ll be rewarded with a very generous starting salary of £44,000, which climbs to £79,040 after four years. According to Highfliers Research the average graduate salary is £30,000, showcasing how Aldi value and reward their employees for their motivation and drive to succeed. There are some great perks included as well: a fully expensed BMW 3 series, health and lifestyle discounts, a fantastic wellbeing programme and private healthcare, to name a few.

4. Travel opportunities

Aldi currently has over 6,700 stores in 11 countries – so there are a lot of possibilities! As your role progresses, depending on business needs, you might be asked to relocate within the UK so being flexible and adaptable is key to the role – and your progression. It’ll help you to learn, develop and possibly become a future leader at Aldi. Additionally, secondment opportunities could see you supporting Aldi’s global growth in Europe, the US or even Australia.

5. And finally… how much can be packed into one year!

Graduates who have undertaken Aldi’s Area Manager Programme comment on how amazed they are by how much they achieved in their first year. Following the first two weeks of training, you’ll progress through gaining shopfloor experience, understanding how the store and team are managed, to getting the keys to a store after only 14 weeks. With an Aldi mentor you will have incredible support throughout your first year. You’ll even spend time behind the scenes in their regional office as well as with the Logistics teams to truly understand what makes Aldi one of the UK’s largest supermarkets. At the end of your 12-month training programme you’ll be fully equipped to manage your own area of Aldi stores. Ready for more? Find out more about the Area Manager Programme and the application process on Aldi's website.