BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs

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BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

BRING YOUR BEST.
WE’LL DO THE REST.
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
CONTENTS

    ABOUT US                                                                  4

    GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES                                                  10

      GRADUATE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME                             10

      JUNIOR BUYING MANAGER PROGRAMME                                       14

      DIRECT GRADUATE POSITIONS                                            18

    UNDERGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES                                            22

      RETAIL PLACEMENT PROGRAMME                                           22

    LOCATIONS                                                              26

    OUR RESPONSIBILITY                                                     27

    APPLICATION PROCESS                                                    30

    FAQS                                                                    31

2                                        Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   3
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
ABOUT US
ABOUT US                                        LIFE AT LIDL
We’re Lidl, proud pioneers in the world of      We’re growing bigger and better every year and we believe
retail. With over 670 stores, 12 warehouses     one of the reasons behind our success is our brilliant people.
and over 20,000 employees in the UK alone       Everyone here plays an important part in all of our achievements
we’re undoubtedly an established retailer.      and pulls their weight – in return, you can expect an inclusive
But it doesn’t stop there. With our ambitious   team culture and a firm commitment to your training and
plans for UK growth and recent global           development. Add to that a simple, lean approach to business
expansion, we don’t like to stand still.        that makes life here challenging, but also enjoyable, because
Continually challenging and changing the        you’re really pushed to make the very most of yourself –
world of retail as we know it, we want          and then some. Our carefully structured training plans and
to make our stores, goods and shopping          programmes will give you all the feedback and development
experience better than ever for our customers   you need, so that you always feel supported no matter what
and our employees. We’re looking for            role or environment you are working within.
ambitious, motivated, talented individuals
who are ready to join a dynamic, engaging
environment to make the very most of
their potential.
Bring your best and we’ll provide you
with opportunities and experiences
that will help you carve an exciting
and successful career.

4                                                                                                         Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   5
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
WHAT WE WANT                                                                                        OUR LIDL PERSONALITIES
IN OUR GRADUATES                                                                                    Understanding our people is important to the continued success of our business. To make sure you’re the right fit
                                                                                                    for us (and us for you), we have identified six key Lidl personalities that thrive in our fast-paced and challenging
We’re brave and bright as a business and that’s exactly what                                        retail environment. We are looking for people who can bring their best to the table, so we can do the rest through
we’re looking for in our graduates. We’re not looking for one type                                  award-winning training, amazing benefits and fast-track development opportunities.
of person. Or one set of skills. We’re certainly not looking for
polished abilities and tonnes of experience. What we are looking                                                     GAME CHANGER:                                                       BORN LEADER:
for is personality and potential. Potential to go far, do big things.                                               Driven and determined, you take individual                          Inspiring others is natural to you. Leading
And then do even bigger things.                                                                                     responsibility for the performance of your                          through communication and delegating
                                                                                                                    team and yourself. You’re that person that                          effectively, you understand how to rally a
You can start your Lidl journey in our stores, with various part-time roles available. If you are                   people want in their corner to motivate and                         team to succeed. You are a role model and
in your penultimate year you could join our one-year Retail Placement Programme or if you                           develop them to succeed. You’re a dynamic                           thrive on challenges, driving yourself and
are looking for what’s next after your studies, you could join on one of our award winning                          team player with resilience and confidence.                         others to a great performance every time.
graduate opportunities – our challenging and incredibly rewarding graduate programmes or
a variety of graduate roles at management level. So whether you’re a born leader, everyday
adventurer, problem-solver or a logistics legend there’s a place for you here – as one of the                        EVERYDAY ADVENTURER:                                                LOGISTICS LEGEND:
future leaders of our business. Commitment, ambition and raw talent are what it’s all about
– and it doesn’t have to come from the classroom either. Perhaps you get stuck in on the                            With a taste for excitement you thrive                              You are organised, productive and don’t
rugby pitch, sort out the socials at the SU, or stretch the budget to feed a houseful on a fiver.                   on the fast-paced and high energy of                                leave things to chance – you prepare
Whatever your talent is and however you can show it off, we’re looking for that                                     a rapidly evolving business. You adapt                              properly and are always one step ahead.
person with one-of-a-kind potential.                                                                                well to change, having the confidence to                            You’re a great communicator, with a
                                                                                                                    communicate with your team effectively                              keen eye for detail and inspire people
Bring your best, we’ll do the rest.                                                                                 to maintain your high performance.                                  with your energy, enthusiasm and
                                                                                                                                                                                        efficient nature.

                                                                                                                     HANDS-ON HERO:
                                                                                                                                                                                         PROBLEM-SOLVING
                                                                                                                    Taking on responsibility, you’ll be effective
                                                                                                                    in delegating, managing and getting                                  PERFECTIONIST:
                                                                                                                    involved in any project. You’re not afraid
                                                                                                                                                                                        With an efficient approach, you keep calm
                                                                                                                    to get your hands dirty, happy to muck
                                                                                                                                                                                        under pressure and solve problems in a
                                                                                                                    in and support your team in any way you
                                                                                                                                                                                        creative way, always acting fairly but with
                                                                                                                    can. You’re thorough, considered and able
                                                                                                                                                                                        a focus on results. You never settle for
                                                                                                                    to manage conflict and multiple priorities.
                                                                                                                                                                                        second-best and are always trying to up
                                                                                                                                                                                        your game.

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BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
ABOUT SOPHIE:
                                            Sophie is fierce, strong and completely committed to achieving her
                                            goals and being results driven is what we need at Lidl. She’s competed
                                            internationally as a cheerleader and loves athleticism, competition and
                                            team spirit. She can deadlift 9 stone, catch a flying team member, and
                                            is who you want in your corner when times are tough. Cheerleading has
                                            brought out Sophie’s determination and helped her become an essential
                                            part of her Lidl team. They rely on her to deliver a top performance and
                                            support everyone, every time.

                                            WHY LIDL?
                                            I was never entirely sure what type of career I wanted to apply for
                                            after uni. All I was certain of was that I wanted to apply for a company
                                            that would give me a range of experiences and management exposure.
                                            For me, the Lidl Graduate Management Development Programme
                                            seemed a perfect fit.

                                            WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
                                            Hectic but enjoyable! After I secured a place, I began my experience
                                            in sales, learning everything about working in store. Progression was
                                            incredibly quick: within a month I already had a lot of responsibility
                                            and independence. Since then, I’ve worked on a project to improve
                                            our ordering systems in stores, and now I’m with the warehouse team,
                                            getting to grips with each area of logistics operations. I even enjoyed
                                            the application process – it wasn’t too long or complex like some of
                                            the other graduate schemes!

    SOPHIE – GAME CHANGER                   YOU’VE BROUGHT YOUR BEST
                                            – WHERE DO YOU HOPE LIDL WILL TAKE YOU?
    “I BELIEVE STRENGTH COMES FROM WITHIN   With Lidl, it’s hard to have a five-year plan as the business is expanding
                                            so quickly – I’ll just have to see where it takes me! Being a Head of
    – AND INSPIRES PEOPLE AROUND YOU.”      Sales, helping to drive a region forward, would be a job role I would
                                            absolutely love.

                                            SOPHIE’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW GRADS?
                                            Embrace every opportunity that comes to you and don’t be afraid to
                                            make mistakes – they help you to progress and develop.

8                                                                           Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk    9
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
GRADUATE MANAGEMENT                                                                                                              OVERVIEW
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
AT A GLANCE                                                     12 months in and you’ll have a good idea of what you want
                                                                to focus on, where your skills lie, and where your passion is.                                  SALES – 6 MONTHS
• Two year rotational management programme                                                                                                            STORE TRAINING FROM CUSTOMER ASSISTANT TO MANAGEMENT
                                                                You’ll spend the next year honing your expertise and crafting
• Nationwide opportunities                                      your experience to get the most out of your programme,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     OPPORTUNITIES
• £36,000 salary per annum                                      putting you in the best position to take on a role after your
                                                                                                                                                            LOGISTICS – 3 MONTHS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       GRADUATE
                                                                programme. Your innovative ideas and unwavering ambition                                WAREHOUSE TRAINING FROM OPERATIVE TO MANAGEMENT
• Company car
                                                                will ensure you take every opportunity to improve yourself –
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)                     and the business.
• 10% in-store discount
                                                                                                                                                         SUPPLY CHAIN – 3 MONTHS
• Private medical insurance                                     WHAT YOU’LL NEED                                                                      SUPPLY CHAIN TRAINING FROM ADMINISTRATOR TO MANAGEMENT

• Contributory pension scheme
                                                                Resilient, driven, passionate. You’ll be all three, all over.
                                                                And you’ll also be ready for a huge career challenge.                                       JOIN ONE OF THREE ROUTES:
THE DETAIL                                                      You’ll need:
This is it. Your chance to experience life at Lidl and all      •	To have a degree in any discipline by September 2018
it has to offer. With experiences spanning throughout                                                                              SALES – 1 YEAR                   LOGISTICS – 1 YEAR                   SUPPLY CHAIN – 1 YEAR
                                                                •	A full UK/EU driving licence by September 2018
our stores, warehouses and regional offices you will build                                                                         STORE MANAGEMENT                  WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT                    SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
your skills and develop your knowledge to become a              •	To live- or able to relocate -within a one-hour commute
retail management professional.                                    of the regional location you choose
                                                                •	To be legally entitled to work in the UK on a full-time
The first year is all about building up your expertise             basis
and management capabilities – it’s essential you know                                                                                                         START YOUR CAREER
everything there is to know about our stores – and logistics.
You’ll need to find out the ins and outs of our complex
                                                                DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
supply chain, too. We’ll push you, but we’ll also support       9TH FEBRUARY 2018
you, every step of the way.

10                                                                                                                                                                                                  Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   11
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
ABOUT STEFAN:
                                         Stefan’s an adventurous soul, who's always looking for the next new
                                         experience. After studying in Poznan in Poland (his hometown), he
                                         hot-footed it to the UK to gain his MA, and has travelled to the USA
                                         every summer for hard-won internships. Independent and driven he visits
                                         at least three new countries every year, and continues his education with
                                         lectures at the London School of Economics. Stefan joined our scheme
                                         after working in-store where his manager spotted his star quality. Having
                                         an open mind and positive approach has helped Stefan adapt in his fast-
                                         paced role, where no challenge is ever just a walk in the park. Adapting
                                         well to change and finding the adventure in the everyday will see Stefan
                                         go far in his travels and his career at Lidl.

                                         WHY LIDL?
                                         A few years ago I spent my summer in the USA completing an
                                         internship as a Store Manager at an American retailer. I got a great
                                         insight into working in retail and knew it was where I wanted my career
                                         to go. Lidl stood out to me because of the dynamic business approach
                                         and high-level of internationalisation, as I’ve always enjoyed working
                                         in a cross-cultural environment.

                                         WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
                                         It has exceeded my expectations, during the last two years I've learnt
                                         a lot more about the retail business and myself than I could have
 STEFAN – EVERYDAY ADVENTURER            imagined. It helps that the training is very structured; on day one
                                         I received a training plan detailing all I needed to learn. In that time
“I DON'T LIKE TO STAND STILL             I have worked across a variety of business areas such as: sales,
                                         logistics, supply chain, buying, and currently I am a Trainee Area

– IN TRAVEL, IN LIFE OR IN MY CAREER.”   Manager in our Southampton region.

                                         YOU’VE BROUGHT YOUR BEST
                                         – WHERE DO YOU HOPE LIDL WILL TAKE YOU?
                                         I would like to work within a business area that allows me to broaden
                                         my horizons and deepen my expertise in the field of sales and
                                         management.

                                         STEFAN’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW GRADS?
                                         Work hard and never stop believing that anything is possible.

12                                                                        Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   13
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
JUNIOR BUYING                                                                                                                   OVERVIEW
MANAGER PROGRAMME
                                                                                                                                YEAR 1
AT A GLANCE                                                    will be about specialising and honing your talents in
                                                               negotiating and competitor analysis as you manage your                                 REGIONAL TRAINING – 2 MONTHS
• Two year buying graduate programme                           own product area, developing hands-on operational and                        OPERATIONAL TRAINING IN-STORE, WAREHOUSE, SUPPLY CHAIN AND ADMINISTRATION
• International training                                       managerial abilities, every day. It’s tough and will challenge

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         OPPORTUNITIES
• £36,000 salary per annum                                     you to push yourself out of your comfort zone and test your

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           GRADUATE
• Company car
                                                               commercial skills to the limit. That said, it’s a huge career                        BUYING DEPARTMENT – 5 MONTHS
                                                               opportunity – and who knows what’s next.                                    INITIAL TRAINING IN FINANCE, LOGISTICS, SUPPLY CHAIN AND SHADOWING A BUYING MANAGER
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• 10% in-store discount                                        WHAT YOU’LL NEED
• Private medical insurance
                                                               It goes without saying that you’re ambitious, driven,                         INTERNATIONAL SECONDMENT – 3 MONTHS
• Contributory pension scheme                                                                                                                    BUYING MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY’S BUYING DEPARTMENT
                                                               confident, commercially focused and have a real passion
                                                               for building relationships. But of course, you’ll love all
THE DETAIL                                                     things food retail. German language skills would be
Our Buyers influence every aspect of our product range:        a bonus. Beyond that, you’ll need:                                        BUYING DEPARTMENT IN-DEPTH TRAINING – 2 MONTHS
from which products we sell, to the way they look, their                                                                                              IN-DEPTH BUYING MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN SPECIFIC CATEGORIES
                                                               •	To have a degree in any discipline by September 2018
price – and the profit, which is why they’re integral to the
                                                               • A full UK/EU driving licence by September 2018
business. In this role, you will be too as you get to know
the ins and outs of one of the most varied and influential     •	To live – or able to relocate – within a one-hour commute     YEAR 2
areas in the organisation.                                        of the UK head office in Wimbledon, London

In your first year you will find out everything there is to
                                                               •	To be legally entitled to work in the UK on a full-time                CATEGORY MANAGEMENT TRAINING – 12 MONTHS
                                                                  basis                                                                                 EXPERT TRAINING IN MANAGING YOUR OWN PRODUCT AREA
know about our retail operations within one of our regional
distribution centres, before you join colleagues in the
head office to begin your specialist training. Once you’re
                                                               DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
up to scratch with the basics, you’ll go international         9TH FEBRUARY 2018                                                                                 START YOUR CAREER
spending up to three months within a buying team in
another Lidl country. And that’s just year one. Year two

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BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
ABOUT BETH:
                                Beth is the sort of person who loves to get practical. Using her
                                communication and delegation skills Beth gained a role in the SU Exec
                                and organised arts and community events, juggled priorities with ease,
                                and inspired others to do the same. Though she’s an academic star,
                                her stand-out uni memories are about the difference she’s made to her
                                community – on and off campus. Last year, whilst immersing herself
                                in everything Lidl she also made time for festival work and organising
                                a fundraising event for hundreds. Beth isn’t afraid to take on an
                                organisational challenge or get stuck-in to support a team to succeed.
                                She’s a true hands-on hero.
 BETH – HANDS-ON HERO
                                WHY LIDL?
 “LIFE'S ABOUT WHAT YOU         I really like the Lidl business model – it’s built on efficiency and its lean
                                shape enables it to react quickly to the retail landscape. You get fully

 PUT IN – SO I PUT IN A LOT!”   immersed in how the business works and understanding this context
                                is really important in your day-to-day role. I’ve had so many rewarding
                                experiences in the past 10 months!

                                WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
                                There is no classic day as a Lidl grad, but one thing you need is the
                                desire to get involved and add value. I expected to be challenged, and
                                I am – and it’s just as rewarding as I expected. My personal development
                                has been incredibly rapid thanks to the variety of opportunities I’ve
                                been given. I was asked to help out with the opening of the Lidl store in
                                Bexleyheath. The day had a real buzz, and I was so excited to be given
                                this opportunity. It’s not every day you get to meet the Managing Director
                                of Lidl UK.

                                YOU’VE BROUGHT YOUR BEST
                                – WHERE DO YOU HOPE LIDL WILL TAKE YOU?
                                I hope to progress my Lidl career specialising in sales – in the longer
                                term, I hope to be responsible for training and developing lots of
                                effective teams!

                                BETH’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW GRADS?
                                There’s no need to get a gym membership, Lidl is enough of a workout.

16                                                                Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk     17
BRING YOUR BEST. WE'LL DO THE REST - GRADUATE & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - TARGETjobs
DIRECT GRADUATE
POSITIONS
AT A GLANCE                                                    skills achieved at university or during your experiences since
                                                               graduating. Perfect if you’ve got the desire and potential
• Nationwide opportunities                                     to work in a specific area, like sales, logistics or property.
• Highly competitive salaries                                  We’ve a number of areas and roles to choose from each

                                                                                                                                     OPPORTUNITIES
• Company car (depending on role)                              offering in-depth training that will make you a subject

                                                                                                                                       GRADUATE
                                                               matter expert.
• 30-35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• 10% in-store discount                                        Because of the less formal nature of these roles, they’re
• Private medical insurance                                    available on an ad hoc basis, so head to our careers site
                                                               lidlcareers.co.uk to see what’s currently available.
• Contributory pension scheme
• Plus many other benefits
                                                               BUSINESS AREAS INCLUDE:
THE DETAIL                                                     • Store management
                                                               • Supply chain
If you’re looking for something different, somewhere you can
add value, to yourself and the business immediately, then      • Logistics
look no further. We have over 300 roles every year, which      • Property
can be filled by graduates like you who already know where     • Head office
they could shine.

You may have been focussing hard on your degree and            WHAT YOU’LL NEED
haven’t found your next step yet, or you’ve gained a couple
                                                               Please check the individual role adverts for
of years professional work experience after graduating and
                                                               minimum requirements.
are now looking to join the business direct, instead of via
the graduate scheme. If you tick one of those boxes, this
one’s for you.                                                 DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
We have roles throughout the year spanning the majority
                                                               AD-HOC
of our business areas and spread throughout the UK.
These opportunities will kick-start your career or build on

18      Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk                                                                               19
ABOUT JONATHAN:
                                          Jonathan is a natural born leader in every situation, always showcasing
                                          his passion for performance. He grew up loving sport and at age 16
                                          started volunteer coaching to pass on the motivation and drive he’d
                                          learned through football, running and cycling. Jonathan showed so
                                          much potential that he had to choose between A-Levels and becoming
                                          a football pro – luckily for Lidl, he picked academia, though captained
                                          two football teams at uni. These days Jonathan leads on the pitch and
                                          in-store and is a natural at developing others and himself, inspiring and
                                          leading everyone around him to push themselves that little bit further.

                                          WHY LIDL?
                                          I wanted a programme that would push my professional development
                                          quickly. The early responsibilities graduates get really stood out for me,
                                          and so did the rotational aspect of the programme – I wasn’t completely
                                          sure on my career path yet, so that flexibility convinced me to apply.

                                          WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
                                          I didn’t expect the constant intensity of the programme, but now I thrive
                                          on it. It took a much focused, strong-minded approach to adapt to my
 JONATHAN – BORN LEADER                   early days with Lidl, but within five weeks I had already worked in three
                                          stores. One week you’ll be comfortable with the way your training is

 “IT'S ABOUT LEADING BY EXAMPLE           going, and the next week you’ll be sent on a new project! This variety is
                                          great – you’ll learn how to handle responsibility, manage time, and be a
                                          success among your teams and colleagues. I love that within two years,
 – GOING FURTHER SO EVERYONE STEPS UP.”   I’ll be ready to step into a managerial role where I could be responsible
                                          for up to five stores and 150 employees.

                                          YOU’VE BROUGHT YOUR BEST
                                          – WHERE DO YOU HOPE LIDL WILL TAKE YOU?
                                          I hope to end up managing my own department in logistics within the
                                          next year or so. In the longer term, I don’t see why I couldn’t aim for a
                                          senior management role.

                                          JONATHAN’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW GRADS?
                                          Make sure that you are comfortable with change and adapting. You have
                                          to be always striving to improve, and open to learning more. No task, or
                                          responsibility is too big or too small for you to get involved in.

20                                                                        Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   21
RETAIL PLACEMENT                                                                                                                  OVERVIEW
PROGRAMME
AT A GLANCE                                                   your skills and earn sponsorship in your final year at
                                                              university. Of course, it’ll also put you in a great position
• 48 week rotational programme                                to return to the business through one of our incredible               SALES – 18 WEEKS               OR            LOGISTICS – 18 WEEKS
• Nationwide opportunities                                    graduate opportunities. Sounds like a win-win.
• £20,500 salary per annum pro rata
                                                              WHAT YOU’LL NEED

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           UNDERGRADUATE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            OPPORTUNITIES
• 30 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• 10% in-store discount                                                                                                                       REGIONAL OFFICE – 12 WEEKS
                                                              Well, you’ll be studying towards an undergraduate degree.
                                                                                                                                                 ADMINISTRATION OR PROPERTY OR SUPPLY CHAIN
• Contributory pension scheme (opt-in)                        In an ideal world it’ll be business or retail related, but that’s
•	Training and on-going development from                     not essential, if you have work experience in retail, bar
   an experienced team member                                 work or a restaurant, we’re keen to hear from you. What
• Final year sponsorship
                                                              is crucial, is a hunger for challenges. Because that’s what                     REGIONAL PROJECT – 1 WEEK
                                                              this placement programme is all about – pushing yourself to
                                                              learn and develop your skills in a professional environment.
THE DETAIL                                                    Along with your degree studies you’ll need:
Driven? Keen to learn? Full of potential? Great news! Our
                                                                                                                                           HEAD OFFICE EXPERIENCE – 2 WEEKS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           UNDERGRADUATE
                                                              •	A full UK/EU driving licence by September 2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            OPPORTUNITIES
award-winning Retail Placement Programme is perfect for
                                                              •	To live- or able to relocate -within a one-hour commute
giving you a 360-degree view of our business operations
                                                                 of the regional location you choose
both regionally and at head office. So you’ll get great
insight into sales and logistics, as well as either supply    •	To be legally entitled to work in the UK on a full time
chain, property or administration. You’ll develop fantastic      basis for the duration of your placement                           SALES – 12 WEEKS               OR            LOGISTICS – 12 WEEKS
knowledge of the business – but you’ll also learn more
about yourself and your abilities. Developing leadership,     DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
management, decision making and communication skills,
you’ll set yourself up with a brilliant future in retail.     1ST DECEMBER 2017
                                                                                                                                                  END OF PROGRAMME
This is a unique experience, and it doesn’t stop there.
Prove yourself and you’ll be rewarded with a Brand
Ambassador role that will see you continue to develop

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ABOUT CLYM:
                                            Clym loves three things most in life: challenges, cycling and charity
                                            fundraising. So it’s no surprise he’s brought all three together to achieve
                                            some seriously impressive stuff: cycling from Athens to the UK, climbing
                                            the Alps by bike, and personally raising over £10,000 for great causes.
                                            A logistical whizz, he loves nothing better than getting stuck into the
                                            complex organisation of these trips, using his talent for communicating to
                                            co-ordinate large teams of people who all trust him – and his navigating
                                            skills! Taking all this on would be daunting for some, but Clym’s calm
                                            approach helps him cope with any project challenges – which is also a
                                            perfect combination to succeed in the world of a Lidl graduate.

                                            WHY LIDL?
                                            I chose Lidl due to my long-term interest in the food retail industry.
                                            What appealed the most was the first year of grounding training so that you
                                            are given the opportunity to learn the fundamental business areas of Lidl.
                                            With other programmes you specialise straight away, whereas at Lidl you
                                            can build the knowledge of how the business works, which helps you plan
                                            out your individual future and what’s right for you.
 CLYM – LOGISTICS LEGEND
                                            WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
 “I'VE CYCLED HOME FROM ATHENS              It’s all very exciting. The graduate role is incredibly varied and you are often
                                            included in many different tasks ranging from being part of the selection
 – NO LOGISTICAL CHALLENGE WILL BEAT ME!”   management team, where you manage the orders and picking times, to
                                            working in the recycling department and seeing how we manage to recycle
                                            over 95% of all waste that is produced within stores. Additionally, I have
                                            been given the opportunity to help recruit for next year’s placement and
                                            graduate students – a skill that is crucial in a management role.

                                            YOU’VE BROUGHT YOUR BEST
                                            – WHERE DO YOU HOPE LIDL WILL TAKE YOU?
                                            Within the next 12 months I hope to pass my Area Manager training
                                            so that I’ll be given the keys to my own set of stores.

                                            CLYM’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW GRADS?
                                            Be confident in your ability and wholeheartedly take every opportunity
                                            that passes your way! Don't rush your application – spend as much
                                            time as you can tailoring it to the role and visit stores too.

24                                                                            Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   25
LOCATIONS                                                                                    OUR RESPONSIBILITY: A BETTER
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRES (RDCs)                                                         TOMORROW
LIVINGSTON                                                               NEWTON AYCLIFFE     As a major food retailer, there are a host of social, environmental and economic issues relevant to us. We have an important
                                                                                             role to play in building a stronger society and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. Under our motto ‘A Better
SCOTLAND                                                              NORTH EAST ENGLAND,
                                                                                             Tomorrow’, we’ve identified five key themes underpinning our approach to being a responsible business.
                                                                      YORKSHIRE & CUMBRIA

RUNCORN
                                                                                             SOURCING FOR THE FUTURE                                           CHAMPIONING A
NORTH WEST                                                                  LUTTERWORTH      It’s incredibly important to us that our products and their       HEALTHIER SOCIETY
& NORTH WALES                                                                                ingredients are as sustainable as possible. This means
                                                                            EAST MIDLANDS                                                                     Improving people’s lives. Sounds like a big statement but
                                                                                             that they are produced in a way that not only respects the
                                                                                                                                                              we are doing this in several ways including supporting
                                                                                             environment but also promotes human rights and decent
WEDNESBURY
                                                                                                                                                              national charities, offering healthier products, encouraging
                                                                                             working conditions.
                                                                                                                                                              active lifestyles across all ages and addressing wider issues
CENTRAL ENGLAND,                                                               BELVEDERE
                                                                                             To help us realise this ambition, we work closely with           like food poverty and childhood obesity.
EAST & WEST MIDLANDS
                                                                            SOUTH LONDON
                                                                                             trusted third party organisations such as Fairtrade and MSC,
                                   LIV
                                                                                & SURREY
                                                                                             to certify as many of our products as possible.                   SUPPORTING OUR COLLEAGUES
BRIDGEND                                                                                                                                                      We employ more than 20,000 employees across the UK
SOUTH & WEST WALES,
                                                                                             SECURING OUR SUPPLY CHAIN                                        in our stores, warehouses and offices. Our streamlined
SOUTH & WEST MIDLANDS                                                         NORTHFLEET
                                                                                             We work with more than 700 different product suppliers           discounter model means every individual’s contribution
AND SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
                                               NAY                    SOUTH EAST ENGLAND,    from over 60 countries. We know how important it is              is vital, and we value the enthusiasm that our colleagues
                                                                 SOUTH COAST & EAST ANGLIA                                                                    bring to work, day in, day out. In return, we are committed
                                                                                             for us to secure our supply chain through sourcing
                                                                                             responsibly, and we work closely with our suppliers to           to supporting and developing every individual who works
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
                                                                                             ensure they operate to the highest standards in line with        for us. A living wage, equal opportunities and employee
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND                       RUN                                      ENFIELD                                                                     satisfaction come as standard.
                                                                                             our business requirements.
& SOUTH MIDLANDS
                                                                           NORTH LONDON,
                                           WED                             HOME COUNTIES     We are committed to driving sales in British products,            PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
                                                                          & THAMES VALLEY    with two thirds of our product range now coming from
EXETER                                               LUT                                                                                                      We are committed to reducing our environmental impact
                                                                                             UK suppliers, and we are conducting audits of our supplier
                                                     ENF                                                                                                      and reducing our emissions. To achieve this, we are
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND           BRI                                                             sites to measure performance in human rights and
                                                           BEL                HEAD OFFICE                                                                     investing heavily in the latest energy efficiency technologies
                                                      HO                                     working conditions.
                                                                       WIMBLEDON, LONDON                                                                      across our stores,warehouses and officesWe’re also cutting
SOUTHAMPTON                                                NFL                                                                                                food waste by establishing a nationwide food surplus
                                     WSM SOU
                              EXE                                                                                                                             redistribution programme, the Lidl ‘Feed It Back’ network.
SOUTH COAST
                                                                                                                                                              For more information on our approach please visit
                                                                                                                                                              lidl.co.uk/responsibility

26                                                                                                                                                                                                                        27
ABOUT TORI:
                                          Tori is always looking for those last finishing touches, and in this creative
                                          baker’s eyes, there’s always room for improvement. She approaches
                                          every cake like she would a project at Lidl, understand the brief and take
                                          responsibility for delivering a great job. This is why her family, friends and
                                          colleagues always trust her to get things done, solving any problem with
                                          an effective solution. Her passion for all things cakes started at uni, and
                                          there’s a 5am start at least twice a week to fulfil the demand for friend’s
                                          birthday cakes, wedding cakes and more! Used to this wake up call, Tori
                                          is all set to start her store training and is always looking for new ways to
                                          experiment with her problem-solving skills.

                                          WHY LIDL?
                                          I wanted to work in a business that had a lot of opportunity for
                                          development. I was interested in the retail environment, and knew
                                          I didn’t want a 9-5 office role, and Lidl as a company is always growing
                                          and expanding so offering a lot of development opportunities.

                                          WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
                                          I was very nervous on my first day – not knowing what to expect.
                                          Now I love juggling the multiple tasks a Store Manager has to keep on
 TORI – PROBLEM-SOLVING PERFECTIONIST     track. I find learning something new one day and being able to do it
                                          naturally a few days later extremely rewarding. It’s extraordinary how
 “NO RECIPE IS PERFECT – THERE'S ALWAYS   much information and knowledge you gain in such a short period of time.
                                          I feel very proud to have developed myself and my skills so quickly.

 ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT”                    YOU’VE BROUGHT YOUR BEST
                                          – WHERE DO YOU HOPE LIDL WILL TAKE YOU?
                                          This time next year I’d like to be completing my area management
                                          training and eventually become a Head of Sales.

                                          TORI’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW GRADS?
                                          Ask questions and lots of them. I haven’t met one person that hasn’t
                                          wanted to help or teach me when I’ve asked them.

28                                                                         Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   29
APPLICATION PROCESS                                                                                                                  FAQS
So, if you like what you’ve heard, and you’ve got what it takes, it’s time to apply. What happens next? Well, we want you            If you’re interested, you probably have a lot of questions to ask. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries
to showcase yourself and personality through our online application and assessments, wow us with your understanding of               we get:
Lidl and our business in your telephone interview and really show us what you can do individually and in a team at our
assessment centre.
                                                                                                                                     DO I NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN?                                       WHAT WILL MY WORKING
We will be looking for how you communicate, and co-operate to perform to your best, how you manage people and motivate
others and what drives you to get great results. It’s testing – but it’s all about making sure we’re the right fit for each other.   Having the ability to speak German is always helpful.            HOURS BE?
Achieve all that and we’re highly likely to make you an offer. After that, the hard work starts, opportunities open and the fun      For some roles German language is essential, but for the
                                                                                                                                     majority of our opportunities it’s not. Other European           Typically you’ll be working between 40-47.5 hours per week
really begins.
                                                                                                                                     languages also come in handy so make sure they are listed        depending on your position. In return for your hard work
                                                                                                                                     on your application where applicable. Remember to check          and commitment you’ll be rewarded with fantastic benefits,
                                                                                                                                     each role to find out the exact requirements.                    recognition and progression potential.
                                                                                                                    START
                                                                                                                    YOUR             DO YOU SPONSOR VISAS                                             WHAT’S THE DEADLINE
                              ONLINE                      TELEPHONE                 ASSESSMENT                     CAREER            OR WORK PERMITS?                                                 FOR APPLICATIONS?
  APPLICATION                 ASSESSMENT                  INTERVIEW                 CENTRE                        WITH LIDL
                                                                                                                                     As a business we don’t provide visa or work permit               Each programme and role has its own deadline and
                                                                                                                                     sponsorship. We ask that you already possess a valid             these are detailed on the relevant pages. Alternatively, you
                                                                                                                                     full time UK work permit before you join us.                     can visit our website lidlcareers.co.uk for further details.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      All of our programmes with a closing date will re-open
TIPS:                                                                                                                                                                                                 in October 2018.
                                                                                                                                     WHERE WILL I BE WORKING?
1. Be yourself                                                      3. Do your research
                                                                                                                                     We’re a UK-wide business but it very much depends on your
Remember to always be open and honest about your                    We want to see that you are passionate about Lidl and can
                                                                                                                                     programme or role. For part-time roles during university or
experiences and skills, but most importantly bring your             differentiate us from our competitors.
                                                                                                                                     direct entry graduate roles we have locations all over the UK
personality, it’s something we love to see in our team at Lidl.
                                                                    You also need to know about the role, so you can tell us         either in our stores, warehouses or offices. If you join our
2. Take your time                                                   why you’re a perfect fit for us but also find out if the role    Graduate Management and Retail Placement Programmes,
                                                                    is a perfect fit for you.                                        you would be based in one of our regions across the UK,
Applying for jobs can sometimes feel never-ending, but the                                                                           whereas our Junior Buying Programme is primarily based
most important thing is that you take your time.                                                                                     in our HQ in Wimbledon. You can find the location of any

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         APPLICATION
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          PROCESS
                                                                                                                                     opportunity listed in the relevant job advert.
Take time to choose the right role, the right location and most
importantly take time to prepare at each stage of the process.

The more you invest in your application the more you
could get in return.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           FAQS
30                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Full details at lidlgraduatecareers.co.uk   31
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