Tell us more about ALDI and why you enjoy working there.
Most people think of ALDI as a place where they can shop for high-quality groceries at amazingly low prices. Over the past 14 years, I’ve witnessed exceptional growth and expansion at ALDI, which has been really exciting! One thing that’s never changed during my career at ALDI is our unwavering commitment and passion towards people. To me, ALDI is family. The relationships that I’ve built through the years with customers and colleagues are what drives me to be the best version of myself every day.
Talk about your position. What is your role in hiring in new talent?
I am a district manager for ALDI here in the Lexington market, and I also serve as a lead project manager for our national Customer Experience committee. I thrive being around people and especially love interacting with customers and store teams, so I feel very fortunate that I am able to utilize my talents at a local and national level. As a district manager, one of our responsibilities is to assist in selecting candidates for our position who are just as passionate as we are about serving others. I enjoy interviewing others and envisioning how they could play a role in enhancing our organization. Read: Courtney Wheeler
What originally motivated you to pursue your career at ALDI and what advice do you share with new hires?
During my senior year of college, when I was searching for jobs, I knew that I wanted to join a company where I could immediately utilize my leadership skills. When I heard that ALDI was hiring for district managers, I became curious about an opportunity to be hired directly into an executive leadership role. I learned about the 50-week training program ALDI provided for district manager candidates, and I was immediately sold. Right away, they showed me that they were invested in my long-term success! The first year is challenging and provided many opportunities for growth. My biggest advice for new hires is to be patient with themselves. The reason we provide an almost year-long training program is to learn! Everyone makes mistakes, but how you react and move forward from them is critical to your long-term success.
What are some of your best memories of being a student at UK?
I absolutely loved my time at UK and wouldn’t change one thing about my college experience. My fondest memories stem from the diverse friendships that I made through serving on different leadership councils and boards in campus clubs and organizations.
What is one thing you learned while at UK that still impacts you now?
Taking on leadership roles helped me learn how to interact with people who shared different thoughts, beliefs, and values from me. If I never stepped out of my comfort zone to take on these leadership roles, I would’ve missed out on so many opportunities that shaped me into who I am today.