Retail Graduate Management Programme - Southampton

Cooper & Hall Limited; Southampton; Hybrid; 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

mentoring

Job summary

Lidl is offering a 23‑month rotational Retail Manager development programme at our Southampton area distribution network. You’ll start in Sales, Logistics and Supply Chain, then specialise in Year 2 to build leadership experience and drive improvements.

Successful candidates will attend a video interview and assessment day, with long‑term growth into retail leadership. Eligible, ambitious graduates with a 2:2 or higher and a full UK driving licence will gain exposure across core business areas

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 2:2 or higher
• Eligibility to work in the UK on a full‑time basis
• Willingness to travel regularly to stores and live within a commutable distance of a Regional Distribution Centre
• Full UK driving licence by 1 February 2027
• Assertiveness and confidence in communication skills
• Proactive, hands‑on mindset with desire to understand core operational processes
• Enthusiasm to learn and succeed in a fast‑moving environment
• Resilience and motivation to stay positive and adapt to challenges
• Able to attend the assessment day on 14/01/2027

Responsibilities

• Year 1: spend time in Sales (store‑based) learning Customer Assistant to store management
• Year 1: learn Logistics (warehouse‑based) by rotating around three core warehouse areas
• Year 1: discover how to order products, manage quality and supplier relationships in Supply Chain (regional office)
• Year 2: choose a specialist route in Store, Warehouse, or Supply Chain Management and develop leadership experience

Job description

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

Location:Foxes Park, Brownhill Way, Nursling, SO16 0AW Southampton

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 14/01/2027. We look forward to receiving your application.

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 14/01/2027

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.

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, begin your professional journey and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl.