Store Manager / Area Manager / Project Manager Review

ALDI offer an intense and diverse placement, providing insight into many aspects of the retail industry. Certain elements of the placement are therefore more enjoyable than other aspects. The majority of my placement was based in store and thus the programme is very much operationally based. It is here that you understand the company's KPIs and fundamentally how to manage people. The remaining part of the placement is based in regional office where you get to experience every department in the business (Trading, Property, Finance, Logistics). It is here that you do project management and understand how the business functions from a macro perspective.

During my training in-store, I experienced 2 different stores. During one of my store times, I felt very undervalued which consequentially infringed on my confidence and therefore had a negative effect on my performance. My other store time was the opposite, I played a vital leadership role and was given huge responsibility. Being held accountable for the stores financial performance and the development of store staff is a huge opportunity.

The training is extremely beneficial... when you get it. In the very fast paced and reactive nature of store time, your training can be interrupted and poorly organised. The initial training plan I was assigned seemed very structured and well scheduled. After a month, the structure of the training plan deteriorated and as a result I felt demotivated and undervalued. However, by being proactive and politely persistent, my mentor did spend time ensuring my programme was more structured and that I did feel sufficiently trained. I had regular update calls and feedback sessions which fundamentally improved my confidence and performance. The feedback and training plan was well delivered in Regional Office. I felt well supported and comfortable to approach Directors and Office Assistants for advice.

As I aforementioned, the store time and Regional Office time differs significantly. In store, I was extremely busy, so much so that I worked in excess of 60 hours a week. You work late night shifts and most weekends (1 weekend off once a month, if that), making it very difficult to socialise. Depending on the level of involvement in your store you have many daily managerial tasks to complete as well as the reactive tasks that occur throughout the day (customer complaints, staff sickness etc). Time management is key and if you are overly distracted throughout the day, you will experience long hours. In Regional Office the balance was great. You work against challenging but realistic and achievable deadlines. The daily working hours are 8am till 6pm, Monday to Friday. You may work more hours in order to meet more challenging deadlines, however, you have weekends off.

The Aldi Industrial Placement Scheme is, I would assume, one of the best for providing it's students with the opportunity to become a mature and well developed young leader. Having managed store performance and having such a significant influence on store employees, you are in effect 'running the show'. Having the opportunity to motivate and test different management techniques has vastly improved my leadership skills. At Regional Office, I was heavily involved in many influential projects which further reinforces this incredible responsibility.

Despite many of the challenges I have encountered over this year. I have gained and developed many skills which will be extremely transferrable in various job disciplines. I have also had the opportunity to test and criticise particular learning material on my degree programme which will stand me in good stead for my final year.

Aldi have extremely high expectations in terms of professional conduct and therefore 'fun' is not really associated with the office atmosphere. Blue, black or grey suits must be worn. Shirts must have a simple design (no ridiculous styles) and be pale shaded (i.e: no bright colours, preferably white or pale blue). You must always shake hands with Directors on arrival to and exit of the office. You must not use colloquial nick names ('mate', 'buddy', 'boss') and you should always act professional in all instances. I have not rated the atmosphere as 'dull' because, there are some great people in the Regional Office who you will be able to have relaxed conversations with you. The Directors are very welcoming and do give you the opportunity to seek advice.

The Placement was well organised to begin with but deteriorated throughout my store time. Occasionally, I did feel neglected and unassisted and it is therefore important that you are proactive in your approach and ensure that organisation is sustained throughout your Placement. Do not fear to be persistant and seek assistance when organisation does collapse.

There was no personal development training provided by the company. This for example meant no first aid nor management courses. The training you do get is there for you to understand the technical and operational tools specific to ALDI and therefore not for personal development specifically.

Having had the opportunity to experience the Area Manager role first hand and go through a more 'diluted' version of the Graduate Area Manager Programme, I do know how appealing the role is after you have completed your store time. As a graduate the financial package is second to none and you do get a fully expensed AUDI A4. As an Area Manager, the responsibility is immense and from speaking to many current Area Managers today, they seem very satisfied with the career progression opportunities. Although the pressure is challenging and the role can be stressful at times, the satisfaction and sense of achievement is great.

Friendships and socialising are not accepted within the organisation. A team building event was organised for Area Managers recently. No Industrial Placement Students were invited despite the hard work we delivered throughout the year.

It varies depending on where you are located in the region. In the Chelmsford region, some students are placed in London whereas some are placed in Suffolk, for example.

It varies depending on where you are located in the region. Generally during store time, there is very limited opportunities to explore and enjoy the social life available.

During store time, there were very limited opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. Having such varied shift patterns eliminated any opportunity for routine, therefore I could not get to the gym consistently. I would not recommend this placement for keen sportsmen.