needtoearn. I used to work for ALDI as an Area manager (on their graduate recruitment scheme, but I joined at 32 having just left the military so it isn't only for 22 year olds!)and then as store operations director.Iused to work with one of the people that is currently on the website doing the whole cheesy 'I work for ALDI and its great' thing
The first thing to be aware of is that they expect a phenomenal amount of commitment. They are upfront about this from the beginning. Whilst doing your years training you be working AT LEAST 60 - 70 hours a week (I knew people who were regularly doing between 80 and 100)You may be expected to work in stores up to two hours away from your home, therefore most people stay in hotels (paid for by the company) when they are moved around for training purposes. If you make it through the training (and there is pretty high drop out rate) then your hours will still be around 50 - 60 a week, including starting at 7 30am, and regularly not finishing until 9pm because you will be doing store inventories when they are shut.
They expect at least a 2:1, and depending on how many applications they get, they start getting a bit sniffy about what university you went to, and what your A level results were.
This bit is purely anecdotal....but its true, honest! They do not employ people who do not look the part. You must be reasonably conservatively dressed, and not overweight. I can honestly say I never saw a single overweight person working for ALDI in a retail management role. I remember a girl who joined at the same time as me who was short and curvy, but by no means overweight that 'we'll soon have that podge off you'...i.e you will have no time to eat, and the store training period is VERY physically intensive. I lost mearly a stone, and I wasn't overweight and ran regularly when I joined.
I guess what I am saying is, it isn't family friendly, and you need to think carefully about what sacrifices you are prepared to make. Have you though about management in the public sector (i.e local gov or civil service?) You are highly unlikely to start on 40k if you have been out of the loop and don't have management experience, but you might get a Project Management role managing resources at around £25 - £30k and then move up.
I live in the East Midlands btw (Lincolnshire)and currently earn 40k for a 4 day week working for the civil service (just transferred to a new job). This is after a degree, an MBA and 14 years experience in management. I used to earn more, but now I work 30 hours a week and have a life!