Aldi has announced that it will create 600 new jobs across the country this year.
The news follows the supermarket chain's recent opening of its new Co.Kildare-based corporate office.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, officially opened Aldi Ireland's new Birch House, Millennium Park facility, Naas which will house Aldi’s National Buying and Marketing teams.
The Tánaiste’s visit to Birch House included a tour of the building, a presentation of Irish product and a virtual address to all Aldi head office staff which took place via Microsoft Teams to adhere to current public health guidelines, the retailer said.
Officially opening Aldi’s new corporate office, Tánaiste Varadkar said, “This is more fantastic news from Aldi, another 600 new jobs being created, in addition to the 1,050 added last year."
"This is a real testament to Aldi’s commitment to Ireland and the hard work of its existing team here," he said.
The move reflects Aldi's continued expansion over the past several years, which has seen its workforce grow to over 4,650 staff, supporting 149 Irish stores.
Aldi highlighted that it has committed to a €320 million three-year (2022-2024) investment programme that will see it open a further 30 new stores across the country.
Local Produce
The discounter noted that it's commitment to sourcing award winning Irish products has led to significant growth in its National Buying and Marketing teams, which have expanded from four staff in 2004 to 120 today.
Aldi said that it now works with over 330 Irish food and drink producers, spending over €1 billion with Irish producers in 2021, an increase of almost 20% on 2020, including €250 million on Irish food and drink during the busy Christmas trading period.
"This expansion is also great news for Irish suppliers, who partner with Aldi and demonstrates the strength of the grocery retail sector as a whole," the Tánaiste said.
'Taste Kitchen'
Speaking at the official opening, Niall O'Connor, group managing director, Aldi Ireland said, "This is a hugely exciting move for our National Buying and Marketing teams and reflects our ongoing commitment to partnering with more great Irish food and drink producers."
"The new facility features our 'Taste Kitchen', a state-of-the-art development kitchen where our Buying team will be able to create and test new Irish products, helping us maintain our leading position as a retailer of Irish products,” he added.
Recruitment Drive
Aldi also confirmed it will recruit 600 new store employees this year.
Employment opportunities are available at Store Assistant, Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager levels across the country.
Aldi will increase its hourly pay rates for store colleagues from 1 February 2022.
Store Assistants will earn up to a market leading €14.90 an hour, while its entry rate of pay will be €12.90 an hour, matching the Living Wage Technical Group’s recommended Living Wage rate.
For further details on all opportunities with Aldi Ireland, click here.
2022 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more retail news click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
