ALDI Graduate Programs & Internships

What it does: ALDI Australia provides around 1,800 everyday food and household products, as well as additional twice weekly ‘Special Buys’ which range from clothing, and outdoor equipment, to home and garden appliances.

Mission: To enable Australian shoppers to live richer lives for less

Size and presence: ALDI Australia operates more than 580 stores, employing more than 13,500 people

Best known for High-quality products with highly competitive price

The good bits: ALDI is recognised as an Employer of Choice at the Australian Business Awards (as voted in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018)

The not-so-good bits: Depending on your role, you may also need to work on weekends or in the early mornings.

The Story of ALDI Australia

ALDI Australia is part of ALDI which has already 60 years of experience and more than 10,000 store locations across the world. It opened its first store in 1913 and gained a reputation as one of the most awarded retailers in the international business market.

ALDI Australia operates its business independently in order to cater to local consumer tastes and market expectations. It has 580 stores (2021) in six states and territories and supports its local business partner network of more than 1,000 Australian businesses.

Since opening its first store in 2001, ALDI Australia offers the highest quality groceries by carefully selecting product ranges and working closely with business partners to maximise efficiencies to deliver quality and value to consumers. Today, ALDI is synonymous with exceptional value since its products are of market-leading quality and are continually run through in-house testing for quality assurance.

They also keep their prices low by not using expensive merchandising or loyalty programs. In 2016 alone, they were awarded Most Satisfied Customers for Supermarkets in Australia (Canstar Blue), Retailer of the Year (ARA Australian Retail Awards), and Supermarket of the Year (Roy Morgan's Australian Customer Satisfaction Awards).

Culture & vibe

At ALDI, you will be a part of a leading international retailer where no two days are the same. Therefore you will need to be comfortable enough with dynamics and change to deal with any challenge. There is so much variety in the role so you always use different skills and resources. You will also learn a lot about problem-solving in real business challenges.

In a dynamic retail environment, you are part of a small team where you will work alongside friendly and supportive colleagues. Everyone works together to get the job done. Here, managers and assistant managers are not in office-based management roles. They provide practical guidance and support to their teams on a daily basis. However, you still get high levels of autonomy and responsibility.

Recruitment process

The positions at the company consist of store roles, warehouse & logistics roles, and corporate & graduate roles. The recruitment process usually involves several stages such as:

• Online application (ALDI will use this to assess your basic skills and qualifications)
• First-round interview and psychometric tests (numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, and verbal reasoning tests. These help ALDI to understand whether you have the appropriate skills)
• Video Application (record and upload a video on a certain theme. ALDI is looking at your presentation skills, personality, motivations, and ambitions)
• Group Assessment Day (this includes individual presentations, group exercises, aptitude tests, and Q&A sessions with ALDI team members)
• Medical and final round interview (interview with regional managing director focusing on personal questions and your competency)
• Offer of employment

Career prospects

You will get extensive training and support to enhance your skills and knowledge that can help you to master your current job.  The company also provides room for development, enabling employees to move up career ladders through internal promotions.

Remuneration

The salaries per year are approximate: Retail Sales Associate (AU$52,500), Retail Assistant (AU$27.66 per hour), Store Assistant (AU$54,600), Shift Manager (AU$54,600), Duty Store Manager (AU$62,000), Management Trainee (AU$65,920), Assistant Manager (AU$63,000-77,000), Assistant Store Manager (AU$79,200-100,600).

The roles with higher salaries are HR Administration & Project Assistant (AU$90,000-100,000), Buying Assistant (AU$90,000-100,000), Store Manager (AU$87,600-136,800), Personal Assistant (AU$90,000-133,600), Graduate Area Manager (AU$95,400-185,600), Area Manager (AU$137,900-185,600), Logistics Manager (AU$142,400-190,100).

Benefits

Each position might have slightly different benefits, but they can include:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• Comprehensive 14-month training and development plan
• Paid parental leave
• Complimentary access to the MyALDI Wellbeing program gives you support and exclusive benefits in wellness from discounted gym memberships, and physiotherapy services, to healthcare plans
• Employee Assistant Program that you and your immediate family can use which is 100% free and confidential
• Complimentary access to Injury Support Program, where you can access free physiotherapy to treat both work and non-work-related aches, pains or niggles  

Social Contributions

ALDI Australia supports  Australian businesses by building long-term relationships with over 1000 farmers, producers, and manufacturers in every state and territory, helping them with reduced competition, simplified processes, and consistent orders in high volume.

To give back to the local communities that support them, ALDI also has a number of charity partnerships and projects designed to create positive change in the local areas.

For the environment, ALDI has several targets, such as reducing plastic packaging by 25% by 2025, operations powered by 100% renewable electricity, and committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2025.