Acquisitions Graduate Programme

The Retail Appointment Live; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking graduates for its Acquisitions Graduate programme. You will rotate through various departments, developing skills in site selection and negotiations. Candidates with a minimum 2:2 degree who are driven and adaptable will thrive. The role is based in the UK with a flexible regional approach. Excellent perks include a company car and discounts.

Benefits

30 days holiday (pro rata)

10% in-store discount

Company Car

Pension scheme

Discounted Gym

10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance

Qualifications

• A degree must be awarded in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
• Possession of a full UK driving license by February 2026.
• Ability to work full-time in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Develop expertise in acquisitions.
• Spend time in Retail, Logistics, and Real Estate teams.
• Take on real project responsibility.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Self-motivation

Adaptability

Education

Minimum 2:2 degree

Job description

Overview

Build the future with Lidl. Our Acquisitions team are shaping the landscape of retail by securing sites that support Lidl’s growth. From identifying prime locations, to negotiating deals and managing current acquisitions & planning applications, our Real Estate teams are behind every new Lidl store, and you can be part of it!

The Lidl Acquisitions Graduate programme gives you the opportunity to rotate through our Acquisitions and Real Estate departments, learning how we source, assess and secure the best retail sites in a competitive market. You’ll be solving complex challenges in a fast-paced environment, while following a structured training programme that gives you real world experience and exposure to the full development cycle. From site selection through the planning process, to stakeholder management and operational excellence, you’ll develop the skills needed to succeed in one of the UK’s most competitive industries for the fastest growing bricks and mortar retail.

If you’re driven, curious and ready to make a real impact, this is your chance to build something extraordinary on our Acquisitions Graduate programme! We look forward to seeing your application.

This is a nationwide programme across all our regional offices and our Head Office, please state your preferred region in the application question.

Closing date for Applications: 19.10.2025

What you\'ll do

• Develop acquisitions expertise and skills
• Spend time in our Retail, Logistics and Real Estate teams, giving you great all-round knowledge of our business
• Learn how a rapidly growing retail business operates from the ground up
• Take on real project responsibility and make a tangible difference to our business
• Gain exposure to a national Real Estate team and learn the market inside out
• Understand how a successful Real Estate team operates and what skills you need to thrive

What you\'ll need

• A minimum 2:2 degree awarded in 2024, 2025 or 2026, but must be graduated by September 2026
• Possession of a full UK driving licence by 1st February 2026
• To be legally entitled to work in the UK on a full-time basis
• To be a true people person with energy, passion, resilience and adaptability
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively across all levels of the business
• A passion for playing your part in a team and ability to work independently
• Self-motivation and determination to succeed in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• A desire to learn and develop new skills while challenging yourself in your work
• Be assertive and confident
• To live or have the ability to commute within one hour to our regional locations or Head Office, and have the flexibility to travel nationwide as the business requires from time to time.
• Able to attend the assessment day on 01.12.2025

What you\'ll receive

• 30 days holiday (pro rata)
• 10% in-store discount
• Company Car
• Pension scheme
• Discounted Gym
• Plus, more of the perks you deserve
• plus an additional 10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance

You’re Lidl like us. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you’re ready to get stuck in, want to get more out of your career and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl and apply now.

You will need to live – or be ready to relocate – within a commutable distance from the Real Estate Office you apply to.