Since opening its first British store in 1990, Aldi has grown dramatically.
It has more than 890 stores across the country, employing over 34,000 people.
Now the UK’s fifth largest supermarket, Aldi has big expansion plans, and it’s looking for talented and ambitious graduates to help it grow.
What’s more, Aldi has been placed in the top five in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list 2020 for the 4th year running.
Here, Area Manager Krishma Tangri (pictured) has taken part in a special Q&A to explain why joining Aldi was a great move for her. She also reveals how much managers can earn, the excellent benefits on offer to staff and explains all about the hands-on training new joiners receive.
When did you join Aldi, and what inspired the move?
I joined in 2014 straight from university on the Graduate Area Management Programme. Some people have the idea that working for a supermarket is just about scanning goods on tills, but when I realised how many opportunities there are in such a fast-growing company, I thought: “This is the place for me.”
Was there lots to learn?
There was so much to learn! Area Managers take responsibility for up to four stores at the end of a year of intense training. During this time, we are taught everything it takes to successfully run a store, from stocking shelves and working on tills to organising rotas and managing people. This taught me so much about the retail world and how all colleagues work together to make Aldi a success.
What have you done since?
I’ve worked as an Area Manager, which involved visiting a different store every day, observing day-to-day operations. No two days were ever the same.
And what about your current role?
At the moment I’m on secondment within the logistics department at the company’s regional distribution centre in Swindon, where I’m gaining a real insight into another aspect of our business, and helping to roll out new initiatives and products.
What’s a typical day like?
Full of variety. I’ll have meetings with colleagues to help ensure that any programmes are being implemented smoothly. At the moment for instance, I’m working on a training scheme that we’re planning to introduce nationally for section leader teams.
The best part of your job?
The fact that any decisions I make can have an impact on the whole regional distribution centre, and operations nationally. It’s very rewarding to see how the projects I’m working on can make a real difference.
How are the career prospects at Aldi?
Most area managers start on the management trainee programme, but whatever level you join at, there are opportunities to get ahead. Aldi is forward-looking and promotes people on merit: if you’ve got what it takes, you’ll move up the ladder.
Are you well rewarded?
At Aldi, an Area Manager can earn £44,000, rising to £77,870. But if you’ve got experience managing a team, you can start on a year-two salary of £53,485. I also get 25 days’ annual paid leave. There are all sort of other perks and benefits, including discounted gym memberships.
What do you need to succeed?
Great people skills, whether you’re dealing with customers or colleagues. And you must be prepared to learn new skills too – the world of retail is constantly evolving. Once you get to my level, you’ve got to be organised and able to juggle your workload effectively.
How is the Aldi culture?
We’re an ambitious company and we’re always looking at how we can grow and improve our UK operation. No one at Aldi is ever taken for granted either; people are the focus at Aldi because the company knows we can only achieve our objectives through teamwork. We are therefore offered in-depth, hands-on training, as well as lots of opportunities to develop and excel within our role and then progress to the next step.
