Aldi

For the graduate joining the area management team, Aldi offers an unprecedented career opportunity with a comprehensive training and development programme.  We aim to recruit individuals of the highest calibre who will enjoy being part of an enthusiastic and committed team in a fast-moving and stimulating environment.

Rewards

Secure a place on the Aldi Area Training Programme and you’ll enjoy a rewards package that is unsurpassed.  The salary starts at €60,000 and rises in stages to €86,750 after four years and a fully expensed Audi A4.  There is also a pension scheme, private healthcare, life assurance and 5 weeks holidays.

To train as an Aldi area manager you will have graduated with a minimum 2:1 degree in any discipline – retail experience is not essential.  The most important qualifications you will need are passion and ambition: passion for quality and service and ambition to develop your own skills and achieve real success.

You can apply online at www.aldi.ie or send your C.V. including a cover letter illustrating your leadership potential to:

Area Management Recruitment

Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited

Newbridge Road

Naas

Co. Kildare

  Name Aoife Habenich

  Position area manager

  University UCD

  Date of joining April 2008

I completed my BA in English and German in 2004 and continued my third level education at UCD, receiving a Masters Degree in Theatre in 2005. I then began working in theatre but after three years I felt that my work life, although hectic, had become somewhat monotonous. There was no opportunity for advancement or to diversify in my role. The position of Aldi Area Manager was brought to my attention and I was immediately interested due to the amount of responsibility involved.

The interview process was very thorough, beginning with a three hour group interview. I found this intriguing as you get to see the calibre of candidates you are being measured against. For the successful candidates the interview was followed by two subsequent interviews with both the Managing Director and two Directors.

The interview process overall gave me an insight into the Company and cemented my opinion of Aldi as a great employer. My first year in the Company was spent as a trainee beginning at store assistant level, progressing to store management and finally shadowing an experienced area manager for approximately four months. Throughout this training period I received numerous  updates and performance reviews which were aimed at broadening my skill set and identifying any weaknesses.

Despite the rigorous training, which was both physically and mentally demanding, getting your own area of responsibility is a big change. Although I knew I could rely on my experienced colleagues for guidance, the increased responsibility takes time to adapt to. I have had my area, comprising three stores, for over a year and am responsible for hitting targets on a monthly basis. This is an ongoing challenge which motivates me and keeps me enthusiastic about my role with Aldi.

I would recommend applying for an Area Manager role to anyone who is ambitious, confident, and above all self motivated, as you must take ownership of your area and you are responsible for all employees in your area.

  Name Peter Byrne

  Position area manager

  University UCD

  Date of joining September 2008

Between 2003 and 2006 I completed a bachelor of commerce degree in the Quinn School of Business in UCD. Following this I spent a year gaining work experience and travelled to places such as Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. Once I returned home I attended the Michael Smurfit School of Business where I completed a masters in business studies majoring in management consultancy. From an early stage during my secondary education, I had ambitions to join a company that would give me independence and the opportunity to lead a group of people in pursuing and achieving company objectives.

I did not want to work in a conventional environment where you were just expected to go through regular cycles of similar work; I yearned for a job that was challenging, required you to think on your feet and gave you ownership over the results you achieved. Aside from these particular job aspects, I wanted to work in a company that was experiencing growth and would give me the opportunity to learn and develop a skills set in order to advance my career. Fortunately the Aldi area manager graduate programme satisfied these criteria.

Upon joining Aldi in September 2008, I was provided with my own individual training plan and surrounded with experienced employees from whom I have gained a vast knowledge about Aldi and retail over the past two years. The programme has allowed me to take on a large amount of responsibility from an early stage and within three months of joining I was set the challenge of running one of the busiest Aldi stores in the country. Feedback is a major component of the area manager graduate programme and hard work is well rewarded.

My first two years in Aldi have been both mentally and physically challenging but my colleagues have been more than helpful in guiding me through the programme. Choosing the right job is a difficult decision at the best of times, it is satisfying knowing that I have made the right decision.