Aldi’s insane $92,000 job for uni graduates

Aldi is offering young university graduates a starting salary of $92,000, five weeks paid leave and a company car.

Aldi is on the hunt for young people to apply for its highly sought after graduate program.

The German retailer is flooded with applicants from across the country every year for the training role, which offers a starting salary of $92,000, a company car and iPhone, as well as five weeks annual leave.

The fast-paced, “intense” two-year program is designed to give the graduate a wide range of experience across the business to prepare them for a management role.

Peter Slaven was part of the 2021 cohort after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. Today he is executive manager of store operations in NSW.

Mr Slaven said most commerce graduates chose to enter the finance industry, but he was attracted to the retailer’s graduate program as he wanted the opportunity to lead teams early in his career.

Love news? Stream 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

Peter Slaven is now executive manager of store operations in NSW.

He admits the “jump from university into the graduate program is a big change and I found it challenging”, but he was provided with support he needed and feels that it “could take years” elsewhere to gain the same experience he did in a short amount of time.

Learning how to lead a store team during Covid-19 amid lockdowns and supply chain issues added to the difficulty.

“I was prepared for a lot of observation and structured training however was pleasantly surprised with how hands-on Aldi’s graduate program is,” he said.

“During the program I worked in three cities and over 30 stores, building relationships with close to 500 people. No two days are the same and I learnt to adapt quickly to constant change and I am still learning new things every day.”

An Aldi store in Sydney. Picture: Gaye Gerard/NCA NewsWire

Mr Slaven previously worked as a disability support worker and held leadership roles in rugby as a player and coach.

He said the supermarket was welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds, so his “advice to those unsure” if they would fit the bill was to be “authentic and confident in your own experiences”.

Hayden Rydberg, Aldi’s group director of human resources and projects, said it was not just the “industry-leading remuneration” and other perks that made the program so lucrative for aspiring young professionals.

“It’s an opportunity for ambitious future leaders to hit the ground running in a supportive environment where you will learn directly from industry leaders, all while accelerating your career with a rewarding and dynamic retail business,” he said.

“A strong academic record and a passion for retail is a must, but more than that, we’re looking for natural leaders who are good with people and who can move beyond academic study to take on tough challenges.”

Applications to Aldi’s 2023 graduate program close on Monday March 28, 2022, with offers out mid-year. The program commences in February 2023.

Applicants must be in their final year of study or have recently completed a bachelor or master’s degree in any discipline within the last two years.