At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Retail Graduate Management Programme and develop your leadership skills across various business areas.
- Company: Lidl, a dynamic retail leader with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: £40,000 salary, 30 days holiday, company car, and in-store discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building your career in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2:2 degree by September 2026 and full UK driving licence.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
Summary
£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. Just like you.
This is it. 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, 16 weeks): You’ll gain experience in key store roles, starting as a Customer Assistant and working your way up to store management.
- HR (regional office-based, 4 weeks): You’ll discover how our HR teams facilitate the recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of our regional departments.
- Logistics (warehouse-based, 16 weeks): 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, 16 weeks): You’ll discover how to order products, manage quality and freshness, and deal with suppliers in our complex supply chain.
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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 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.Â
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What you’ll need
- Minimum 2:2 degree (in any discipline), awarded in 2024, 2025 or 2026, but must be graduated by September 2026Â
- A full UK driving licence by 1st February 2026
- To live, or be ready to relocate, within a commutable distance from your chosen Regional Distribution Centre
- To be legally entitled to work in the UK on a full-time basis
- Assertiveness and confidence in your communication skills
- The desire to learn, develop and succeed in a fast-moving, challenging environment
- If successful, be able to attend an assessment centre In January 2026
What you’ll receive
- 30 days holiday (pro rata)
- 10% in-store discount
- Company Car
- Pension scheme
- Discounted Gym
- Plus, more of the perks you deserve
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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, want to get more out of your career and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl and apply now.
Retail Graduate Management Programme employer: Lidl GB
Contact Detail:
Lidl GB Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Graduate Management Programme
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Lidl inside out! Research the company culture, values, and recent news. This will help you connect with interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since assertiveness and confidence are key for this role, try mock interviews with friends or family. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experiences, the better you'll perform.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Lidl employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even refer you, which can give your application a boost!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining Lidl and ready to take on the challenge of the Retail Graduate Management Programme.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Graduate Management Programme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Unique Self: We want to see what makes you, well, you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your desire to join Lidl.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the skills and qualities Lidl is looking for. Highlight your leadership potential and any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and free of jargon. This will help us understand your motivations and qualifications quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the programme there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lidl GB
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you research Lidl thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and the specifics of the Retail Graduate Management Programme. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Your Leadership Potential
Since this programme is all about developing leadership skills, be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated leadership or teamwork. Think of situations where you took initiative or helped others succeed.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess how you would handle challenges in a retail environment. Practice answering these types of questions by thinking through potential situations you might face in sales, HR, logistics, or supply chain management.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask your interviewers. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if Lidl is the right fit for you. Consider asking about the company culture or opportunities for growth within the programme.