Idea Transcript
There’s tough. And there’s Aldi tough. Graduate Area Manager & Industrial Placement Programmes
Settle yourself down with a cuppa... We’re quite modest as an organisation but we’ve been delighted to hear what people are saying about us. We have featured in the gradireland Top 100 Leading Graduate Employers in Ireland for the last ten years and currently feature in the top 20. We’ve also caused a bit of a stir on campus (great salaries and an Audi A4 don’t go unnoticed). But industry talk and campus gossip aside – what’s it really like to work at Aldi? Think of this as the start of a conversation that could change your opinion of ‘discount supermarkets’ forever.
CONTENTS
...and let’s talk Aldi. The year is 1913 and a small grocery store opens in Essen, Germany. There at the counter stands Anna Albrecht, mother to two little boys Karl and Theo, the eventual founders of ‘Aldi’ (short for Albrecht Discount). By the 1930s, the family business is well established but the Great Depression and huge competition from chain stores start to make things extremely difficult. It’s time for some of that Aldi bold thinking. In a rather smart move, the Albrechts gain a liquor licence so they can sell alcohol (which the chain stores couldn’t). They also let their customers buy goods on account and settle up on pay day, resulting in strong customer loyalty. In 1947, they reveal another string to their bow: liquid soap which didn’t need a ration coupon (they were the only retailers for several kilometres who stocked this). The business wasn’t just surviving now – all these strategies sent their turnover soaring. This unique approach to retail shone through when Aldi came to the UK in 1990 and then Ireland in 1999. Customers were amazed to see a true example of ‘no frills’ shopping – stock merchandised on pallets, no bag packing at tills, no fancy coffee shops… It’s all about keeping overheads down so that the customer benefits from amazing quality at low prices. It’s a business model that just works. With awardwinning products* and astonishing growth, we’re going from strength to strength.
* Aldi were crowned ‘Supermarket of the Year’ at the Mother & Baby Awards 2016, a category close to our hearts. We also won 207 top drink industry prizes, including a haul of awards at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and the International Wine Challenge (IWC). Prizes are also stacking up for our frozen foods, cheese, yoghurts, bread… Happy? We’re positively bursting with pride.
CONTENTS GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME 01. What do our graduates do? 02. Life as an Area Manager. 03. Year Two and beyond. 04. International Secondments. 05. Is there a typical development path?
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME 06. What kind of opportunities are there? 07. W hat happens on a store placement?
APPLICATION & BENEFITS 08. Who are we looking for? 09. How can you apply? 10. What can you expect in return? 11. Where could your career take you?
CONTENTS
We’ve got a real soft spot for our tea. Our Irish-produced McGrath’s Reserve Blend tea won accolades in 2015 and our Reserve tea bags replicated this success in 2016 at the ‘Great Taste Awards’. Tasty results all round.
What do our graduates do? GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME
All of our graduates follow the Stores route and join our Area Manager Programme. It’s the perfect introduction to our business and a superb foundation for your future success. You’ll get to know exactly how we operate, you’ll understand the flow of goods, how the team works, and how your actions will contribute to Aldi. The programme’s gained a reputation for being challenging, and rightly so. We’ll give you an enormous amount of responsibility very early on. So while the first few weeks are spent getting to know your colleagues, our business model and the ins and outs of store life (and, yes, you will be stacking shelves), by week 14 you’ll have had the keys to at least one store. You’ll be in charge of everything from motivating a team to taking control of processes to identifying ways to hit new targets. There’s a lot to learn and you’ll adapt to new situations on a daily basis. The whole time, you’ll experience mind-stretching retail challenges that will sharpen your commercial edge and turn you into a brilliant leader. We’ll push you, but think of it as ‘tough love’. We want you to do well. And that trust will keep on growing.
It’s about hard work, responsibility and seeing what you’re really made of.
“I know I can pick up the phone to any one of my colleagues with any query. Everyone’s just so helpful.”
“I couldn’t have prepared myself for how challenging the programme was. It’s designed to be fast-paced and I certainly felt out of my comfort zone on occasions. However, it really pushed me to develop as a person, build on my business degree knowledge and go above and beyond what I thought I was capable of. Claire, Area Manager • University of Limerick • Business Studies with Economics and French • Joined Aldi in 2015
Where will I fit in? Imagine the UK and Ireland being divided up into eleven Aldi regions. Each region has its own Head Office led by a Managing Director, a group of Directors and our dedicated team of Administrators. Importantly, each region also has its own Regional Distribution Centre (or RDC) which takes care of the flow of goods, ensuring that our customers get all their favourite things on time. As an Area Manager, you’ll report to the Store Operations Director and look after the people, processes, efficiencies and targets of three or four stores. The Store Managers (with their team of Assistant and Deputy Managers, Store and Stock Assistants) will be looking to you for guidance and leadership. You’ll also be the valuable link between these stores and the warehouse teams back at the RDC. There’s a really helpful chart on our website (aldirecruitment.ie/ graduate) if you’d like to see how everything fits together.
“It was a roller-coaster but every time something clicked, the sense of achievement was elating.”
LIFE AS AN AREA MANAGER
GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME
A year like no other
DAY ONE You’ll meet the Director team and your new boss the Store Operations Director. They’ll outline exactly what’s expected from you and prepare you for the year ahead.
WEEKS 1-2
WEEKS 3-12
An experienced colleague will help you get to grips with the Area Manager role and they’ll become your mentor throughout your training.
You’ll get stuck into store life. It’s the best way to understand your staff and the challenges they face. You’ll be stacking shelves, getting to know our products and learning about customer service.
WEEK 13
WEEKS 14-17
You’ll have a week’s holiday to relax, absorb all that knowledge and think about the great start you’ve made at Aldi.
These weeks are really important as we’ll give you the keys to your own store. Now the detailed training’s done, you’ll show us how you can take control, run your own £multi-million business, and motivate your team.
WEEK 18
WEEKS 19-28
You’ll get another week’s wellearned holiday. And with a good wage coming in, you’ll be able to holiday in style.
More keys to another store? Go on then. You know what to expect now so you’re more than ready. The challenge is to keep it all running smoothly, never taking your eye off the ball for a second.
WEEK 29
WEEKS 30-31
Phew. Another breather. The programme’s really gathering pace now so it’s important to re-charge your batteries and just chill out for a week.
Our huge network of stores rely on a range of support operations. During your Regional Office training, you’ll get to know our Accounts, Trading and Administration teams and the kind of issues they handle.
WEEK 32
WEEK 33
You’ll be the key link between Logistics and Operations so it’s important to understand both sides, inside and out.
It’s holiday time again. A chance to reflect on the huge amount that you’ve learned and feel very proud of yourself.
WEEKS 34-45 Out of store training follows and you’ll start to expand your specialist areas as you master everything from financial planning to store merchandising.
WEEK 46 Some more rest, happy in the knowledge that you’re near the finish line.
WEEKS 47-51
WEEK 52
Ready to look after an Area? This is five weeks of in-at-the-deep-end exposure to life as an Area Manager. You’ll cover for your colleagues while they’re on holiday and really put your skills to the test.
It’s time for your final review and we’ll look at how far you’ve come. By now, you should be full of confidence as you take responsibility for your own group of stores.
Year Two and beyond. GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME
“It’s critical to be organised and efficient. It’s about maximising your time in store so you can look after your team and be a positive influence.” As a fully-fledged Area Manager, thriving in a culture of pace and responsibility, you’re completely ready for the next challenge. During years two, three and beyond, you’ll take full control of your area. Yes there are targets to meet and processes to follow but, beyond that, your diary is your diary. And everything you do will impact on how the area performs.
“It’s a challenging, rewarding role – with really motivated people on every team. Results are tangible, and there’s the freedom to make your own decisions, with unwavering support from colleagues. There are all kinds of challenges, from monitoring KPIs and auditing functions to the ongoing recruitment and development of your store teams. Plus, we’re constantly improving the working environment and our customer service. The Area Manager team are so experienced, and if you encounter a problem, it’s likely they’ve had similar issues. So they’re always on hand to offer advice or assistance.” Paul, Area Manager • National University of Ireland Galway • Science Degree • Joined Aldi in 2014
After a couple of years on the programme, you may have the chance to do a secondment in Europe, the US or even Australia.
“If you’re a natural leader who’s driven and determined to take on new challenges, this is an exciting role with endless opportunity.”
“In 2010, I was asked to take part in Aldi’s International Secondment Programme and work in the USA for two years. As a secondee, I had the chance to mentor and develop Area Manager colleagues, hire hundreds of staff and was fortunate enough to be involved with Aldi’s first New York City store. Throughout my time in the greater New England area, I was responsible for a total of 16 different stores. My family and I are so grateful for an opportunity that not only developed me as a professional but gave us all a life-changing experience.” David, Buying Director • Newcastle University • Engineering Degree • Joined Aldi in 2005
GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME
How about an International Secondment?
Is there a typical development path? GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME
“You learn very quickly how to prioritise and work efficiently.” “When it came to the Aldi Training programme, I had to really step up. My background’s in theatre and I had no business experience, so it was intense. Yet that worked for me. I felt we covered the kind of everyday challenges we’d face in the future. It also helped that I had a great mentor who I could bounce ideas off.” Aoife, Buying Director • University College Dublin • Drama Studies and Performance • Joined Aldi in 2008
“When you manage a large team, it’s important to make sure the store’s a happy place to be.”
“You’ll need a lot of dedication and discipline at Aldi. Ambitious and hardworking people are easy to find here, so the training really teaches you to up your game. The leadership and people management skills I developed during those first six months have never left me, and helped me when I moved up to a Director role.” Killian, Store Operations Director • University College Cork • Commerce • Joined Aldi in 2010
“You’ll turn your hand to every role in store – it’s the most beneficial part of the programme.”
GRADUATE AREA MANAGER PROGRAMME
“The skills you learn now will stay with you forever.”
Industrial Placement Opportunities.
Our Industrial Placement Programme has really taken off. These placements are for passionate, brave and determined students who want to prove their worth. You’ll have done your homework on Aldi – and the market we operate in – and you’re excited by the challenges we face. You’ll want to be part of our business from day one, and you really believe you can make it even better.
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
During your placement, you’ll experience early responsibility, intensive training and rare exposure to the internal workings of Aldi. We’re a big fan of rotating our students across different teams; it really demonstrates how so many different operations fit together to ensure a smooth-running business. At the end of the day, it’s a two-way thing. We want our managers to feel how indispensable you are, and we want you to feel like you’ve made a valid contribution to a thriving, global business. Together, we’ll make sure you have all the opportunities you need to learn and showcase your skills. Yes, it’ll be demanding – but we reward our people extremely well. And, of course, you’ll have the chance to apply for a permanent role after graduation.
General Management This is a fast-paced introduction to the reality of Aldi: how we tick, what we’re made of, how we’ve transformed into one of the world’s most successful retailers. You’ll learn about us, but you’ll also learn about yourself. When you’re handed the keys to a store and told: “You’re in charge”, do you panic and run away screaming or find your retail backbone and lead your store to victory? There are rotations across store and office environments so you can see Aldi from both sides of the business, and how one depends on the other. Whether you’re stacking shelves, organising resources or taking the keys to a store, it’s a breathtaking snapshot of life as an Area Manager. All degree backgrounds are welcome.
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
Nationwide opportunities
“I knew I wouldn’t get this kind of experience anywhere else: Aldi was the only company offering full exposure to a management role.” INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
“The Industrial Placement really opened my eyes to working at Aldi. From day one, I knew I wasn’t in for an easy ride. Real responsibility, getting stuck in and stretching yourself were the norm. I loved it though. I got to see what roles were on offer. It’s why I wanted to become an Area Manager.” Laura, Area Manager • University College Cork • Commerce • Former Industrial Placement student, joined Aldi in 2014
“You take each day as it comes and being able to react to whatever pops up is vital.”
Emer, Area Manager •U niversity College Cork • Commerce • Former Industrial Placement student, joined Aldi in 2015
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
“The store training is the best foundation for this role. Because you get to see how tough the work is, you can empathise with the store staff while gaining a vast amount of knowledge. The level of responsibility exceeded my expectations, especially when you’re responsible for running a store on your own. It’s challenging, rewarding work and you never know what the day will bring.”
WHAT HAPPENS ON AN INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT?
We also offer six and nine month placements, which follow a similar timeline giving you a great taste for our business.
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
A year like no other
DAY ONE
WEEKS 1-2
You’ll settle into Aldi, sign your contract and meet the Store Operations Director who will take you through your induction.
The Area Manager will walk you through our fast-moving operation and why we’re doing so well in the marketplace.
WEEKS 3-14
WEEKS 15-16
Time to roll up your sleeves and see exactly what happens in our stores, from stacking shelves to serving customers.
A chance for a breather on a well-earned, two-week holiday. Enjoy…
WEEK 17
WEEKS 18-22
Working alongside the Area Manager, you’ll demonstrate your new-found skills. You’ll see stores from a fresh perspective and what goes into multi-site management.
You’ll shadow the Store Manager and experience their challenging, rewarding and stimulating role. It’s about learning to lead a successful team and creating an environment where people feel really motivated.
WEEK 23
WEEKS 24-26
You’ll be out and about with an Area Manager, experiencing their day and all the different skills you need to do a great job.
More Store Management. It’s great to be on the front line, seeing how things need to be run in such a fast-paced team environment.
WEEK 27
WEEKS 28-32
Holiday time already? Time flies at Aldi, particularly when you’re learning so much.
More Store Management? Absolutely. You’ll be able to order our award winning stock and even stand in for the Manager when they’re away. After so much training, you’ll be more than ready.
WEEKS 33-35
WEEKS 36-38
Back to working with the Area Manager to gain insight and experience from the very best.
Logistics time. Well, efficiency has always been the cornerstone of our success. You’ll cover everything from streamlining distribution to vehicle tracking and routing.
WEEKS 39-40
WEEKS 41-43
Learning about financial administration is invaluable at Aldi – we’ve built our business on delivering quality products at low prices. You’ll see how important it is to balance the books.
You’ll sit in on high-level trading meetings where you’ll discover how to order products on a larger scale, looking at key events and retail trends. Quality is everything to us, so our approach to quality control will feature heavily.
WEEK 44
WEEK 45
A week with the Property department to see how the whole process works, from identifying new sites for sale to the day we unveil a brand new store.
Kick back on another holiday as you reflect on how much you’ve learned and experienced so far.
WEEKS 46-47
WEEKS 48-52
Your last couple of weeks with the Area Manager will help you fit all the pieces together. You’ll see how everything works as a complete (and extremely busy) business.
Time for some challenging project work set by our Regional Directors. Primarily, you’ll demonstrate how you can apply your knowledge in business situations.
Who are we looking for? We do have a specific culture. Aldi is a well-managed, efficient business and everyone works in harmony to achieve great things. It’s also rather refreshing as everyone knows what’s expected of them. Wherever you’re based, you’ll have an appreciation of your role within the wider picture. And there’s an Aldi type too. Every company says it, but we honestly couldn’t imagine what we’d be like without the feisty determination of our people. Aldi is built on an attitude. It’s about never giving up; always striving for better, smarter, simpler ways of doing things. And we’re a business with integrity: we’re fair to our partners and suppliers, and everything we do is for the benefit of the customer. You’ll be that person who’s happy to roll their sleeves up and get on with every task, no matter how challenging or complex. You’re positive, you make things happen and you love working with a supportive team around you. Your academic achievements will tell us that you have intelligence and commitment. Now we need you to switch into a different gear, with a practical, business-focused mindset that’s determined to achieve results.
If you’re applying to be an Area Manager, you’ll have (or be working towards) a minimum of: • a 2:1 in any degree discipline. • a full driving licence. We recruit all-year round but – be warned – this is a very popular scheme. Positions are filled quickly so the sooner you apply, the better.
APPLICATION & BENEFITS
If you’re applying for an Industrial Placement, just bear in mind that we offer one of the best programmes around and things can get quite competitive. But this won’t put you off. In fact, if you’re right for our business, you’ll see this as your first challenge. You’ll also be working towards a 2:1 in any degree discipline, and it’s important that you have access to a car.
What can you expect in return? Area Managers There’s plenty in store for Area Managers at Aldi. Not least of all the superb training and promotional prospects. But what else can you look forward to?
€61k+
€61,000 starting salary A fantastic starting salary that rises in stages to €95,750 after four years.
A fully expensed Audi A4 You’ll get this on day one, so you’ll need a full driving licence.
Opportunities to travel the world If you’re performing really well, we’ll suggest a European or international secondment. That way, we can share your skills with the rest of our international business.
Health & Lifestyle package You’ll be part of our pension scheme, plus you’ll be given five weeks’ holiday every year, private healthcare (after six months) and life assurance.
Training & Support We’re right behind you from the start, making sure you achieve all your goals and fulfil your potential.
Your own €multi-million business This is perhaps the biggest benefit of all. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll take full responsibility for three or four stores.
What can you expect from an Industrial Placement? We want to fill this golden opportunity with just the right people – and we’ll reward them well. €30,000 per annum pro rata, for the time you spend with us, together with 4 weeks’ holiday allowance pro rata (plus bank holidays). If all goes well, and you impress us, you’ll be encouraged to apply for a permanent role after graduation.
How can you apply? So, here you go then, you’re ready to apply. The process is quite interactive because we’re only looking for the cream of the crop.
If you’re applying for the Graduate Area Manager Programme follow these simple steps.
Step one You’ll need to complete an online application and various tests that will assess your judgement and your analytical skills.
aldirecruitment.ie/graduate
APPLICATION & BENEFITS
Step two You’ll be sent a link to complete an online psychometric test. This has been designed to measure your core skills and personal qualities, as well as to see if we’re right for each other.
Step three Lights, camera, action. It’s all about you. This is a chance to impress us in a five-minute video called ‘Who am I?’. Show us you’re a determined, charismatic leader who we couldn’t do without.
Step four Group Assessment is hard. You’ve got to work as a team, but still let us know that you’ve done your homework about Aldi and that you’re a natural leader. It’s a fair and consistent process, but make your presence known!
Well, you’re nearly there. If you’ve passed everything else, you’ll then have a one-to-one interview with your Regional Managing Director, followed by a final interview with two other Regional Directors, so make sure you’re prepared!
Step one You can apply through your University, but be warned, this is a very competitive scheme. Positions are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply, the better.
Step two The final stage is an assessment which could be one-to-one or as part of a group. So make sure you’ve done your homework.
APPLICATION & BENEFITS
Step five
If you’re applying for an Industrial Placement the process is slightly different.
Where could your career take you?
APPLICATION & BENEFITS
Where could your career take you? Where could you join us? We’ve got opportunities all over Ireland, with over 120 stores nationwide. Once you’re online, you can choose the region where you’d prefer to be based (although we do ask for a bit of flexibility over the locations you cover).
Bathgate Darlington
Bolton
Goldthorpe
Naas Neston
Atherstone
Mitchelstown Chelmsford
Cardiff APPLICATION & BENEFITS
UK and Ireland locations
Swindon
International locations Then there are the international opportunities. Aldi is a global business with a presence in 19 countries.
Germany Back in 1961, the Albrecht brothers split the business into two groups: Aldi Nord (North) and Aldi Süd (South). Aldi Ireland is actually part of the Aldi South group and, taking the group as a whole, there are over 5,000 stores.
America In 1976, one year after our 500th Aldi South store opened, Aldi US officially launched. It’s fair to say it’s going pretty well. We now have 1,500 stores across 34 states, plus recent expansion into California.
Hong Kong Not many people know we are in Asia, but we are. In 2012, we opened the Corporate Responsibility Unit Asia in Hong Kong. Not only does it realise our CR goals in the continent it helps forge closer relationships with our suppliers.
Australia APPLICATION & BENEFITS
91% of Aldi Australia’s fresh fruit and veg are grown within the country. Now that’s some sustainable sourcing.
We’re Aldi. And we’re like no other. The question is, are you? It’s your turn. Explore our careers site and you’ll get to know us even better. aldirecruitment.ie/graduate aldirecruitment.ie/industrial-placements
Awards here, awards there. We work very hard at being a great employer so it’s always nice to be recognised.