Retail Graduate Management Programme (Hiring Immediately)

Lidl; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% in-store discount

Pro-rata holiday allowance

Company car

Pension scheme

Enhanced professional development and

Job summary

Lidl in the United Kingdom offers a 23-month rotational programme designed to fast-track leadership in Store, Warehouse and Supply Chain. You will begin in a customer-facing role and rotate through core areas to build broad experience and management readiness.

In Year 2 you specialise and deepen expertise, with a final assessment day on 29/01/2027. A 2:2+ degree and UK work eligibility are required, along with a valid UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Achieved a 2:2 or higher in a Bachelor's Degree.
• Eligible to work in the UK on a full-time basis and able to provide proof when required.
• Willingness to travel regularly to stores and live within a commutable distance from your chosen Regional Distribution Centre.
• Full UK driving licence by 1st February 2027.
• Assertiveness and confidence in your communication skills, enabling you to build strong relationships.
• Proactive, hands-on mindset with a strong desire to understand core operational processes.
• Enthusiasm to learn, develop and succeed in a fast-moving, challenging environment.
• Resilience and determination, able to stay motivated and adapt to challenges.

Responsibilities

• Year 1: spend time in Sales (store-based), Logistics (warehouse-based), and Supply Chain (regional office-based).
• Year 1: start as Customer Assistant and progress to store management.
• Year 1: learn logistics fundamentals by rotating through three core warehouse areas.
• Year 1: discover ordering, quality and supplier management in Supply Chain.
• Year 2: choose specialist route in Store, Warehouse, or Supply Chain and develop expertise.
• Year 2: craft management experience to reach leadership potential.
• Programme includes video interview and face-to-face assessment centre on 29/01/2027.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership potential

Proactive mindset

Resilience

Willingness to travel

Driving licence

Education

Bachelor's degree (2:2 or higher)

Job description

£40,000 per annum | 30 days holiday (pro rata) | 10% in-store discount | Company Car

Everyone who works at Lidl brings something unique to the table - but we also have a whole lot in common. We’re curious, collaborative, and ready to make a tangible impact on where we work.

Ready to start your career at the heart of one of the UK's largest retailers? This is your chance to experience life at Lidl and all it has to offer. With experience spanning across our Stores, Warehouses & Supply Chain, you’ll build your leadership skills and develop your knowledge to become a Retail Manager from the ground up.

This programme is rotational, taking you on a 23 month learning journey that gives you the best possible exposure to our core business areas, along with a range of opportunities to build your experience, resilience, and business acumen.

What you'll do

• 
  

  Year 1: You’ll spend time in each of our core business areas:

  
  
  
  
  • Sales (store-based): You’ll gain experience in key store roles, starting as a Customer Assistant and working your way up to store management.
  
  
  • Logistics (warehouse-based): You’ll learn the fundamentals of logistics and warehousing by rotating around our 3 core warehouse areas before joining the warehouse management team.
  
  
  • Supply Chain (regional office-based): You’ll discover how to order products, manage quality and freshness, and deal with suppliers in our complex supply chain.
  
  
  
  


• 
  

  Year 2: You’ll choose the specialist route you want to take in Store, Warehouse, or Supply Chain Management. You’ll then spend the next year honing your expertise and crafting your management experience to get the most out of your programme, putting you in the best position to take your early career to the next level.

  
  

This programme is not for the faint hearted, but for the right characters, we offer a real opportunity to develop into a retail leader with the drive, confidence and skill set to succeed.

The process will also include a video interview and face-to-face assessment centre held in our Regional Distribution Centre on 29/01/2027.

What you'll need

• Achieved a 2:2 or higher in a Bachelor's Degree


• Are eligible to work in the UK on a full-time basis and able to provide proof when required


• A willingness to travel regularly to stores and live within a commutable distance from your chosen Regional Distribution Centre


• A full UK driving licence by 1st February 2027


• Assertiveness and confidence in your communication skills, enabling you to build strong and valuable relationships.


• A proactive, hands-on mindset with a strong desire to understand core operational processes.


• Enthusiasm to learn, develop and succeed in a fast-moving, challenging environment


• Resilience and determination, able to stay motivated, adapt to challenges, and maintain a positive approach


• Able to attend the assessment day on 29/01/2027

What you'll receive

• 10% in-store discount


• Pro-rata holiday allowance


• Company car


• Pension schemeEnhanced professional development and mentoring


• Plus, more of the perks you deserve

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.