A crowd of people gathered Wednesday morning at the ALDI grocery, 4805 State Ave. It wasn’t a special sale on food that caused the people to assemble. The occasion was ALDI’s first of three two-hour interviewing sessions for job applicants in the Kansas City area. Other interview sessions will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 7 a.m. to 9.a.m. at ALDI locations in Shawnee and Independence.
“We pay significantly higher wages with full benefits, much more than our competitors,” explained Amy Watson, the Olathe-based director of ALDI store operations, “and that draws a lot of applicants.”
The announced openings are for store associates, who are paid $11.50 per hour, and shift managers, who earn $16 an hour. Watson estimated the interview sessions would attract about 200 applicants. About 20 people are likely to be hired from that group.
Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply and have a high school diploma or GED. Retail experience is preferred and previous experience is required for managers. ALDI requires drug screening and performs background checks. Those hired must be available to work anytime between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday and have the ability to lift 45 pounds.
ALDI has 24 stores in the Kansas City area and 1,300 nationally in 32 states, mostly from Kansas to the East Coast. The company, which bills itself as the nation’s low-price grocery leader, plans to open about 100 stores each year.
“We continue to have excellent growth because of the people we hire from each community and our ability to offer fresh produce and meat, as well as organic and gluten-free selections,” Watson concluded.
