If you’re thinking of a career with ALDI, the time has never been better

Now one of Australia’s major players in the highly competitive retail sector, ALDI is always on the lookout for employees to help drive the next phase of its increasingly popular and rapidly expanding business.

In less than seven years ALDI has grown from just one store to over 170 stores, employing more than 3500 people at locations along Australia’s eastern seaboard.

ALDI’s managing director of NSW stores, Stefan Kopp, says much of the retailer’s success can be attributed to its employees.

“ALDI has reached a critical point in terms of its growth and to continue to do so we need to secure the next generation of quality employees to help us,” Kopp says.

“The job market is tough but we believe we have a strong business proposition for prospective employees, differentiating us from others in the same space.”

ALDI employees receive above-market rates, and working conditions are considered to be some of the best in the industry.

ALDI also invests a great deal of time and money in the training and development of employees, assigning all new employees to one of its three purpose-built training centres to learn the ropes while being paid in full before they set foot in a store.

In April 2008, ALDI became the first grocery retailer to offer paid maternity leave to all employees. This means full-time and part-time female employees who have been with the company for 12 months are eligible to receive 14 weeks’ pay at 50 per cent.

Kopp says the move to paid maternity leave made perfect sense to ALDI.

“We don’t want to lose employees – they’re one of our most important assets, so incentives such as paid maternity leave are really positive steps aimed at helping us hold on to our employees,” he says.

There is a range of job opportunities available at ALDI in a variety of different areas dependent on an applicant’s experience and qualifications.

ALDI retail assistants play an active part in all aspects of store operations. Kopp says ALDI’s retail assistants are exposed to a wider range of tasks and opportunities than people in similar roles, plus they are the only retail assistants who are given a chair to sit on when they are working at the checkout.

Retail assistant roles offer flexible hours, and employee rosters are done well in advance so people can plan holidays and other commitments around their work schedules.

ALDI also has a strong policy of promoting from within, so it is not uncommon for a retail assistant to be encouraged if they demonstrate the aptitude to apply for an assistant store management position.

Kopp says assistant store managers with the right training are quickly given the opportunity to progress into store management. “In some instances, this has been known to happen in as little as six months – the opportunities are there,” he says.

ALDI’s Graduate Area Manager Program is a great way for university leavers to be introduced to the pace and excitement of retailing. Kopp says graduate area managers start on $79,600 a year, complete with a fully maintained car.

“Graduates commence training in-store and are usually managing a store as part of their training to become an area manager within weeks,” he says.

“As they build momentum, we generally have them cover for other area managers on short-term placements and once we feel they are ready, they’ll become responsible for three to four stores in a particular area.”

Kopp says ALDI has become a success story in its own right. “Our unique business model has helped us become one of Australia’s fastest growing retailers, which is certainly an exciting place to be,” he says.

“People will struggle to find another employer offering the same levels of authority, empowerment and personal responsibility ALDI invests in its employees.”

If you are interested in a career with ALDI stores, please visit www.aldi.com.au or send your CV and covering letter to ALDI Stores, Locked Bag 56, St Marys Delivery Centre, NSW, 2760.