Retail Graduate Management Programme - Newton Aycliffe

Lidl GB Ltd; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount (in-store) 10%

Pro-rata holiday

Company car

Pension scheme

Mentoring and professional development

Job summary

Lidl GB Ltd invites high-potential graduates to join a 23-month rotational programme spanning Store, Warehouse and Regional Office functions. You will rotate across Sales, Logistics, and Supply Chain, developing leadership skills and business acumen within one of the UK’s largest retailers.

Within this demanding programme, you will undergo an assessment day and receive mentoring and professional development to prepare for future retail leadership roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (2:2 or higher) required.
• Eligible to work in the UK on a full-time basis.
• Full UK driving licence by 1 February 2027.
• Strong communication, assertiveness and confidence.
• Willingness to travel regularly to stores.
• Proactive, hands-on mindset with a desire to learn.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a 23-month rotational programme across Sales, Logistics and Supply Chain.
• Gain exposure to core business areas and build leadership experience.
• Attend assessment centre and development activities as part of progression.

Skills

Communication skills

Assertiveness

Proactive mindset

Resilience

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree (2:2 or higher)

Tools

UK driving licence

Job description

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 & regional offices, you’ll build your leadership skills and develop your knowledge to become a retail manager. 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 21/01/2027.

What you’ll receive

• - 10% in-store discount
• - Pro-rata holiday allowance
• - Company car
• - Pension scheme
• - Enhanced 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.

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 21/01/2027