• It's not just about being efficient. It's about being effective too.
  • It's not possible to achieve goals without my team - and it's my job to inspire them.
  • Drive, ambition and a positive attitude - it's a recipe for success.

Our Graduate Area Manager Programme the future starts now

You’ve probably heard a lot about the Aldi Area Manager Graduate Programme by now - and if you’ve not then you’ve come to the right place. We want our graduates to bring the best version of themselves and in return we’ll reward them with a fantastic package - and the rumours are true, it includes a fully expensed car!

It requires dedication and determination but the results are so rewarding - whether that’s through your professional development, your growth as an individual or seeing your store teams thrive (and it’ll be your responsibility to inspire them!).

Throughout the year, you’ll learn the ins and outs of store life, before discovering what it takes to lead a group of £multi-million businesses. Afterwards? Well, it could be just the start of an exciting career full of amazing opportunities.

View our brochure

Discover more about how and why Aldi means more. Our brochure includes lots of profiles from Area Managers and Directors, so you can hear about real experiences and see where you fit in.

View now

A year like no other

Day One

You’ll meet your Directors and your new boss. They’ll outline exactly what’s expected from you and prepare you for the year ahead.

1 (of 15)

Weeks 1-2

An experienced colleague will help you get to grips with the Area Manager role and they’ll become your mentor throughout your training.

2 (of 15)

Week 3-13

Time to roll up your sleeves. You’ll be stacking shelves with colleagues, getting to know our products, finding out about customer service and learning our unique approach to store management. With a week’s holiday squeezed in.

3 (of 15)

Week 14

You’ll have a week’s holiday to relax, absorb all that knowledge and to think about the great start you’ve made at Aldi.

4 (of 15)

Weeks 15-24

We’ll give you the keys to a store. Once the detailed training’s done, you’ll take ownership over a set list of responsibilities. Then it’s time to put theory into practice within the store environment.

5 (of 15)

Week 25-28

Taking charge of your own £multi-million business for a three-week cover, you’ll plan the rota, order over 1,700 products and manage your own team. You’ll then spend a week getting ready to present your achievements to the Store Operations Director.

6 (of 15)

Week 29

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.

7 (of 15)

Week 30-34

You’ll spend the next five weeks learning the ins and outs of the Area Manager role, with plenty of support from your Aldi mentor.

8 (of 15)

Week 35

Bit of a change now as you visit workshops hosted by our regional experts. You’ll get to know everything from Health & Safety and HR processes, to Ordering and Availability.

9 (of 15)

Week 36-37

Our huge network of stores relies on a range of support operations. During your Regional Office Training, you’ll get to know our Accounts, Trading and Business Administration teams and the kind of issues they handle.

10 (of 15)

Week 38

It’s holiday time again. A chance to reflect on the huge amount you’ve learned and feel very proud of yourself.

11 (of 15)

Week 39-45

During the next seven weeks, you’ll be assessed on a variety of technical tasks, as well as your leadership ability. Mixing the two is vital for your development, so you can motivate and engage the teams around you.

12 (of 15)

Week 46

Some more rest, happy in the knowledge that you’re near the finish line.

13 (of 15)

Week 47-51

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.

14 (of 15)

Week 52

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.

15 (of 15)
Day One
Weeks 1-2
Week 3-13
Week 14
Weeks 15-24
Week 25-28
Week 29
Week 30-34
Week 35
Week 36-37
Week 38
Week 39-45
Week 46
Week 47-51
Week 52

What you'll need

There’s a specific Aldi way of doing things, so we’re after people with the right mind set. We’re efficient and determined, but everyone pulls together and works in harmony. So have you got the Aldi attitude?

  • 96 UCAS POINTS OR 63 SCOTTISH HIGHERS (OR EQUIVALENT ON THE OLD TARIFF) FROM YOUR TOP 3 A-LEVELS/SCOTTISH HIGHERS (OR THE EQUIVALENT FROM OTHER RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS)

  • A 2:1 DEGREE IN ANY DISCIPLINE

  • A DRIVING LICENCE

  • THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

Some of what we'll offer you

  • £50,750 starting salary
    £50,750 starting salary

    Your generous starting salary will rise in increments to £95,655 in year 8.

  • Fully expensed company car
    Fully expensed company car

    You’ll collect your keys on day one, so you’ll need a full driving license.

  • Health and lifestyle
    Health and lifestyle

    You can also join our discounted Health Cash Plan and take advantage of gym membership discounts, discounted cinema tickets, money off holidays and more!

  • Opportunities to travel
    Opportunities to travel

    If you’re performing really well, we might suggest a UK, European or even International Secondment (typically to the US or Australia). 

  • Wellbeing
    Wellbeing

    Our wellbeing programme links to five key areas of wellbeing; physical, mental, nutritional, financial and social. Colleagues have access to an online wellness portal containing information and guidance, 24/7 Employee Assistant Programme and wellbeing related benefits.

  • Excellent work-life balance
    Excellent work-life balance

    We want to look after you, so you’ll be given five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays, work from home options and the ability to manage your own diary. 

  • Training & support
    Training & support

    With a dedicated mentor from day one, you’ll get the support you need. And even once the programme ends, you’ll get great development opportunities throughout your Aldi career.

  • A £multi-million business
    A £multi-million business

    This is the big one. As soon as you're ready - which could be even less than a year - you'll take full responsibility for up to four stores.

Where you will fit in

  • We’re divided up into thirteen regions.

  • Each region has its own Head Office led by…

  • a Managing Director, a group of Directors and an Administration team.

  • Each region has its own Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) which takes care of the flow of goods.

  • We also have our National Head Office, based in our Atherstone region.

  • As an Area Manager you’ll report to the Store Operations Director.

Our application process

  • 1
    Online Application
    Online Application

    You’ll need to complete an online application and tests that will assess your judgement and personal qualities, to see if we’re right for each other. This has been designed to measure your core skills and analytical abilities.

  • 2
    Video Interview
    Video Interview

    Lights, camera, action. This is your golden opportunity to showcase your knowledge of Aldi and brilliant leadership skills.

  • 3
    Online Test
    Online Test

    You’ll then 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.

  • 4
    Individual Assessment
    Individual Assessment

    If all goes well, you’ll be invited to an Individual Assessment where you'll be asked to deliver a short presentation, followed by a one to one competency based interview with an Aldi assessor. We’re looking for your drive, professionalism and leadership skills.

  • 5
    Final Interview
    Final Interview

    Well, you’re nearly there. If you’ve passed everything else, you’ll then have a final interview with the Regional Managing Director. So make sure you’re prepared!

Our application hints & tips

  • 1) Online Application, You’ll need to complete an online application and various tests that will assess your judgement and analytical skills.
  • 2) Video Application, Lights, camera, action. It’s all about you. This is a chance to impress us in a short video called ‘Who am I?’. Show us you’re a determined, charismatic leader who we couldn’t do without.
  • 3) Online Test, You’ll be sent a link to complete an online psychometric test. This has been designed to measure your core skills and personal qualities, to see if we’re right for each other.
  • 4) Group Assessment, If all goes well, you’ll be invited to a Group Assessment where you'll need to work as a team, but still let us know that you’ve done your homework about Aldi. We’re looking for your drive, professionalism and natural leadership skills. It’s a fair and consistent process, but make your presence known!
  • 5) Final Interview, Well, you’re nearly there. If you’ve passed everything else, you’ll then have a final interview with the Regional Managing Director. So make sure you’re prepared!
1) Online Application, You’ll need to complete an online application and various tests that will assess your judgement and analytical skills.
2) Video Application, Lights, camera, action. It’s all about you. This is a chance to impress us in a short video called ‘Who am I?’. Show us you’re a determined, charismatic leader who we couldn’t do without.
3) Online Test, You’ll be sent a link to complete an online psychometric test. This has been designed to measure your core skills and personal qualities, to see if we’re right for each other.
4) Group Assessment, If all goes well, you’ll be invited to a Group Assessment where you'll need to work as a team, but still let us know that you’ve done your homework about Aldi. We’re looking for your drive, professionalism and natural leadership skills. It’s a fair and consistent process, but make your presence known!
5) Final Interview, Well, you’re nearly there. If you’ve passed everything else, you’ll then have a final interview with the Regional Managing Director. So make sure you’re prepared!

Like what you’ve seen so far? Amazing! Let’s start your Aldi career today

As part of your application, we’ll ask you to confirm your preferred locations. Please note that if your location is not recruiting, we may ask you to consider your second preference.

The application window for our 2024/25 recruitment season is now CLOSED.

Find a Graduate role near me

The future

You’re now a fully-fledged Area Manager, with complete control of your area. Most of your time will be spent visiting your stores and driving your teams to success. And you may even be offered an opportunity that offers even more than before through secondment opportunities! 

  • Warehouse Operations Area Manager
    Warehouse Operations Area Manager

    You will take your Area Manager knowledge into Warehouse Operations as you learn more about this vital part of the business, while also supporting the wider team implement new projects.

  • Project Area Manager
    Project Area Manager

    You will discover the inner workings of Aldi and take on projects in a different business area across the UK, or even support projects within international departments.

  • International Secondment
    International Secondment

    You will discover different customer habits and see how they affect our global business.

FAQs

As soon as possible! We do recruit all year round but spaces go very quickly, particularly in the Autumn.

Alongside a 2:1 degree in any subject, you will need a minimum of 96 UCAS points (240 points if using the old tariff) from your top 3 A-Levels (excluding general studies). This shows us that you’re not only focused and committed but you have a strong work ethic. You’re excited by every new challenge that comes your way. Please note we also accept BTECs and BACs or 63 Scottish Highers (150 points if using the old tariff) as an equivalent to UCAS points.

If you've already applied but not been successful, you’ll need to wait 12 months before reapplying. But you’re welcome to apply for other roles with a lower level of responsibility any time.

The Group Assessment will be held virtually. The Final Managing Director Interview will be held at the Regional Distribution Centre within the region to which you have applied. If your application is successful, we'll let you know all the details nearer the time.

Possibly, but usually only within your chosen region. We're a fast-growing business so it's important to have a flexible, understanding approach.

You'll need to provide the very best support to your Store team. So that can involve working weekends and bank holidays; we do ask for you to be flexible and we'll accommodate your needs in return.

The minimum requirement for our Graduate Area Manager Programme is a 2:1 undergraduate degree. However we also have plenty of other management opportunities within our stores with further information available on our website.

We recruit approximately 100 Area Managers every year, across the UK and Ireland. But this could change as our business continues to expand.

A full driving licence and a valid UK work permit (and that drive and determination we've been talking about!).

Yes is the short answer. As long as you've met the criteria of course.