LIDL Northern Ireland will recruit 170 new employees this year across a variety of operational and office-based roles to support its 40-strong network of stores and regional distribution centre in Nutts Corner.
The new roles are being created to support the retailer’s growth across the region and will expand its local workforce to more than 1,200 staff.
Broken down by county, most of the new jobs (64) will be in Co Antrim, followed by Co Derry (51) and Co Down (20).
The posts come with a market-leading benefits package including award-winning learning, development and progression opportunities within in the business.
Lidl, which over the last two years as been on a stellar growth path across the north, also announced a new Covid bonus worth £300,000 which will be shared with all employees this year. It's the third such bonus scheme recognising the efforts of its staff during this period.
The announcement comes after the Top Employers Institute recognised Lidl Northern Ireland as a Top Employer for 2021 this week.
The international certification, held by global brands such as PepsiCo, Adidas and Heineken, showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work, exhibited through excellent HR policies and people practices.
The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of their HR best practices survey. This survey covers 6 HR domains consisting of 20 topics such as people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, well-being and diversity & inclusion.
Maeve McCleane, director of human resources at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said: “Since the onset of the pandemic our teams have demonstrated inspirational dedication and bravery in serving our local communities when they needed it most. So this significant investment in the form of a third bonus acknowledges their selflessness and hard work in this challenging time.
“Last year reinforced that our people are the bedrock of our business, which is why Lidl has prioritised building not only an exceptional place to work, but also an inclusive, rewarding and fulfilling culture for our employees.
“So is with great pride that we accept this year’s Top Employers certification and I look forward to welcoming many new colleagues to Team Lidl in the coming months.”
At the end of last year Lidl Northern Ireland said it was investing £32m in five stores in Belfast, adding 100 new permanent jobs and supporting up to 1,000 jobs in the development and construction phases.
An independent review of its operations published by Oxford Economics in 2019 showed that Lidl already contributes around £180 million annually to the north's economy and sustains more than 3,500 jobs.
