In less than seven years ALDI has grown from just one store to over 160 stores, employing more than 3,000 people at locations along Australia's eastern seaboard.

ALDI is currently searching for suitable candidates for Area Manager roles. Managing Director for New South Wales stores, Mr Stefan Kopp said ALDI looked for a specific type of person to fill these roles.

"First and foremost applicants need to have a degree. They also need to have had some kind of management experience, although obviously at a graduate level we accept that this will vary."

"By the time someone has been through university, it is not uncommon for people to have had a raft of different job experiences," he said.

"If a candidate can demonstrate initiative and leadership, whether it be from their ongoing involvement in a club or group, along with some management experience, then from our perspective we’d definitely be interested."

ALDI's commitment to ongoing development starts on day one.

Graduate Area Manager's are quickly introduced to the pace and excitement of retailing.

Mr Kopp said Area Managers commenced their training in-store and were usually managing a store as part of their training to become an Area Manager.

"As they build momentum, we generally have them cover for other Area Managers on short-term placements and once we feel they are ready, they are given responsibility for operations of three to four of their own stores."

"A sense of responsibility is important and it is something we place great emphasis on."

ALDI invests solidly in its employees from the ground up – whether an Area Manager, Store Manager or Retail Assistant there is extensive training to learn the ALDI way of doing business.

Mr Kopp said ALDI's training was intense, particularly as employees climbed the ranks. He continued "I genuinely believe you'd be hard pressed to find an ALDI employee who hasn't reaped the benefits from this investment by the business in their future."

Mr Kopp said there were high expectations for Area Managers, but in return they were rewarded for their hard work, a good example being the five weeks annual leave received and above average salaries.

"The level of authority, empowerment and personal responsibility afforded to people once in the role, is well beyond those likely to be found with other employers," he said.

Mr Kopp said ALDI's strategy was simple. "We look for the right people, we invest significantly in them, we expect a great deal from them and in return offer a genuine long term career opportunity."

To apply confidentially please register via the Futurestep website http://www.amdp.futurestep.com or contact the ALDI Recruitment Hotline on (02) 9006 3546 for more information.