Meet our grads

In my spare time, I like to play a lot of rugby, I coach my two boys and I also play for our team in the local area.

I'm most passionate about the development of my two young boys and being a real role model, investing my time in their progression and how they can be better adults in the future. My role model is actually my father. It took me a long time to realise how much it takes to be a dad and the amount of time and investment he put into me as an individual. I didn't really appreciate it until I became a father myself.

I'd say my strengths are that I'm a real team player - I like to look for opportunities to make people's lives better. I like to collaborate with others and really get to the crux of any issue and work it out together.

I grew up overseas in Germany, and Lidl was a brand that I was obviously aware of. I used to love going out with my parents and shopping, and it was definitely something that was on the forefront of my mind as I was going through my degree process.

My background is in the armed forces, where I also studied for my degree. Towards the end of my degree, I wanted to expand on my experience and translate that into the civilian world, and I thought that Lidl was the right employer and brand for that. They had a great reputation and I felt like I could really develop in this organisation. So I took the plunge and applied!

I would describe my grad programme as challenging, but fun.

It's really given me an insight into how such a large-scale organisation operates, and how I can apply what I learn, not just in a professional manner, but in a personal manner as well. It's given me a real balance and structure to how I want to operate in the future.

I think the programme is - and isn't - what I expected. I expected it to be challenging and to learn a lot about the business, but actually it's given me way more. There’s the opportunity to go and visit other locations and understand how they operate - there's so much room to manoeuvre. People are always willing to answer questions outside of their remit which is great.

It’s given me a real opportunity to develop who I am and actually highlighted skills I didn't know I had. I didn't realise how focused I was on efficiencies; how we can save time, money, make jobs easier for people. How I can make someone's life better just by changing something in the business or having the right conversations. I've really enjoyed it.

I get on really well with the other grads. I share the grad programme with another grad here in Peterborough, and we have a very strong relationship in which we can float ideas about how the programme is structured, and what we're doing day to day. There are opportunities to find out what she may have learned that I haven’t, and vice-versa. That’s the same for the other grads around the country. If I have an issue I can reach out to another grad, and they're always willing to help.

I think being flexible, being adaptive, and being willing to collaborate. Things aren't always going to go as smoothly as you predict, and it's just about having those open conversations and figuring out, as a team, how to work any inefficiencies out, how to iron out any issues and make life easier for everyone. I think a grad with solid, flexible ways of working and an understanding of how other people and other cultures operate, is really beneficial for the programme and for the business.

What I'm most excited about is opportunity. I really want to expand my knowledge of how the business works holistically, and I've still got time in the grad programme to understand how other departments work. But there's definitely scope for me to move around and really understand from different perspectives what works for them and what doesn’t. So now I have a better understanding of the business and I can strive for what I want to do in the future.

I’m most passionate about sport. My favourite hobby is running, and I actually ran the London marathon through Lidl with the NSPCC raising £2,300 through that, as well as bake sales and raffles at work. I’ve also done the ‘Lidl Mudder’ challenge with my marketing team!

My role model is my sister - she’s really bright, really bubbly and she gives everything a go and loves trying new things.

I think my strengths are that I’m social, and I think this really helps me with work – networking around the business. If I ever need any help, I know who to call on. I’d say I’m really enthusiastic and throw myself into everything that comes my way. I’m adaptable which helps, as every single day at Lidl is different, and I’m always taking on new roles and responsibilities.

I chose Lidl because the of the breadth of experience that you get across the department and the business. I’ve even been able to spend time in store and in the warehouse as part of my programme.

I’d describe my grad programme as never being a dull moment. Every day is completely different and I’m always learning so much. If you’re someone who always wants to learn, then Lidl’s a great place for you.

My favourite thing about Lidl is the opportunities available to us – you really do get out what you put in. As someone who really wants to go the extra mile, Lidl really accommodates me and helps me get the most out of my programme.

I get along really well with the other grads; we’ve really got to know each other at the welcome events and training days that we’ve attended together.

I’d say that I’m most proud of the ownership and products I’ve been able to deliver, I feel like a trusted member of the team. I’ve never been treated as ‘just a grad’ - I’m always given full responsibility for everything I do.

Ambition, intuitiveness, and an eagerness to learn.

We as grads bring a lot of energy to the business, we’re always really eager to get started and we bring new perspectives and ideas to the table.

Rewarding, collaborative and challenging!