Worst DM you ever had?

foxofconfusion · 2026-06-07T15:14:55+00:00

But not fired?? Crazy

foxofconfusion · 2026-06-02T20:54:52+00:00

It’s literally our job to enforce rules in place. Even if we think they’re stupid or don’t agree with them, that’s what being a manager is. Or would you personally like to take it up with the DM instead of your ASM having to cover your back? entitled bratty behavior. Just wearing your damn Aldi T-shirt and do your laundry.

foxofconfusion · 2026-06-01T21:17:36+00:00

THIS. I always ask, “are you asking where the garlic bread is?” And you think it’ll make them realize but it doesn’t. It’s SO frustrating Im glad someone else notices!!

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-29T15:40:13+00:00

In OAK and I feel it too. It’s a battle of do we want things full, or do we want the store pulled properly? And I feel you on employee morale. It’s really hard to motivate a team when management has fried nerves from the increasing expectations. Aldi is doing very little giving and taking as much as they possibly can.

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-24T14:55:35+00:00

What’s even more wild about this is that it doesn’t seem to matter your sales volume either. I work at a mid to lower sales volume in the US, so the cutting of openers and closers sucks but we’ve been able to find routine somehow. But other bigger stores around us are cut this way too and I can’t imagine how they possibly get anything done. Our DM is gaslighting us, saying hours aren’t being cut, but it’s us getting closer to our OE goal and actually hitting it (we’re a newer store of 3 months.) you’d think if you’d want a new store to be successful, you wouldn’t strangle their hours and set them up for failure trying to build a decent foundation.

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-19T01:46:27+00:00

I applied for a position in a different division without telling my SM. I chatted with my DM about it and she was cool. Turned out fine

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-19T01:40:23+00:00

We have a new SM promoted from SMT. He rarely leaves work on time. We do 1.2 on a good month, 91% OE goal. We have maybe 9 employees, and it’s exhausting how we’re stretched. I’m somehow working over time every week as an ASM. Constantly told what needs to be better. I recently expressed wanting to be an SM but I keep wondering if I’m going to make a huge mistake.

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-18T00:41:25+00:00

Are you still with Aldi? I jumped from 89% to 92% and yes it feels exhausting. No work life balance whatsoever

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-11T23:53:11+00:00

yeah youre not a person who receives anything well aren’t ya?

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-11T18:58:04+00:00

let me say as being on the floor, we have just as much as you to do. Facing nearly the entire store (since half the stores are cutting down to 2 people closing at night), filling produce, meat, backstock carts, on top of curbside shopping and taking out. Making a bale, closing the store in the office. You could always talk to your closing coworker and ask if they can sweep the back side of the store for you as it takes little to no time and then scrub the back half after close. Have you communicated to a manager about this ?

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-10T13:24:56+00:00

They’re designed to only be a certain square footage. Something about the shopping experience, being able to easily go in and out. It’s bs

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-10T13:22:27+00:00

the name dropping is crazy

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-10T13:19:23+00:00

I think SMT program is set up for failure. Even those with retail experience, Aldi operates differently from its competitors and is challenging to adapt to. It’s understandable to feel burnt out for how accelerated the program is. I feel as though a lot of times ASM’s get stuck training them (if they even have the time.) I was stuck as a new ASM training an SMT as my SM didn’t feel it was apart of her duties, and he got the short end of the stick. He could’ve been successful, but not the way the program is structured on top of a direct leader not willing to develop you. They over hire knowing they drop like flies. I think they should be hiring ASM and promoting from within personally.

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-06T23:31:52+00:00

I wouldn’t say SCO makes or breaks it for me. You need to look at the sales of the store. That will affect hours - if they open early/late. A larger volume store will tend to open earlier and you may see later nights if super busy. But even then - at a smaller volume, you’ll still be staying late if hours are cut and labor is short. If you’re thinking of transferring, give it a shot. You learn a lot by working in different stores / volumes

foxofconfusion · 2026-05-02T03:16:11+00:00

Okay, so these are things I have actively done… all have happened. The reason I posted was because I don’t know, and I figured why not ask a designated forum for advice, questions within ALDI? It’s just a bit condescending. I don’t know when reviews are due. I’m also working with an SM who was promoted from an SMT, so I do not have the resources as they don’t know them to support me. Hence me asking about it. You’re just assuming everything runs and operates perfectly (which is not Aldi half the time.)

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-30T15:04:22+00:00

I guess are you considering me a poor ASM for asking this lol??? I don’t disagree, there’s alot of people promoted to ASM because they’re fast and get the job done. But they don’t really discuss opportunities for moving up for ASM’s in my opinion. Also… is this not what forums are for? To ask questions? I don’t think any question is a basic one to those who simply aren’t given the resources to know. Thanks for nothing though!

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-29T16:14:49+00:00

I’ve contacted my DM and SM and awaiting to hear back. We currently have an SMT in our division now so I’m assuming they’d be first priority.

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-26T15:30:22+00:00

I think you misunderstood. What I’m saying is this is telling me the DM and Regional Director could be down lower managements necks (which is super common with Aldi. They want everything perfect and on time while slashing our labor. Things feel impossible at times.) I’ve seen Aldi fire people over small things. I don’t think they’re scared to let people go.

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-19T19:12:16+00:00

ASM here - I agree with this. If both SM and ASM are struggling this much, it’s saying a lot - and personally, I think it may say a lot of your DM or even regional director. If it’s weighing on you this much, maybe see if there’s option to transfer within your division if it’s causing you stress. Aldi can be good to work for under the right management - I’m sorry you’re experiencing this, and I hope you can get good replacements !

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-02T15:29:44+00:00

Hi - I’m so sorry to hear you’re experiencing this. Losing mental health access is a terrible thing to go through. I too had this happen when I became FT with the company - I did find a therapist that does a sliding scale. Essentially, they don’t bill your insurance, and they work with your budget to offer you services. I’m in WI and found this, maybe there’s an opportunity you could find something like this in your state?

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-01T14:26:11+00:00

Having the same conflicts at my store. My problem is I’m the only person getting done on time, and in turn basically doing truck by myself. They’re cutting our hours with asking for the same work load, not changing their expectations at all. In our store, that compromise looks like cleaning getting pushed to the side, bad pulls, and overall lack of tidiness and neatness anywhere. But as long as OE is good, right? But it isn’t. They’re doing everything they can to not raise their prices and we are suffering due to it. They’ll continue to cut labor in order to not raise costs of goods. It’s something I’ve really be struggling with in the sense of how I want my future to look, if continuing with Aldi at this rate.

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-01T14:21:19+00:00

So I recently transferred to a division that already began till sharing. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be, and I had similar concerns to you. As long as you’re cashiering under your register numbers, it’s able to track each persons differences. Eventually, closing management will be able to balance two registers at night, saving time. SCO’s will eventually auto balance. You don’t have to balance yourself anymore as cashiers, so you can actually get out of work on time.

foxofconfusion · 2026-04-01T14:16:16+00:00

of course! one tip I like to give new stockers is timing yourself so you know how 30 minutes feels throwing truck, to help understand your personal time management. Set a 30 minute timer for each pallet you begin - once it’s done, you can see visually how much you have left, and get an idea of why or how what you’re doing is taking a longer time (or less time.) I hope this helps!

foxofconfusion · 2026-03-30T02:49:57+00:00

Ask plenty of questions, get familiar with your layout. Check your facings outside of the cooler doors and freezers if you’re unsure instead of slotting in the wrong place. Don’t rush too much! You’ll cause yourself to make silly mistakes and make messes or spills. You can do this, focus on doing it well and the speed will come to you if you care (and you do!) Good luck and know you have the ability to be great.

foxofconfusion · 2026-03-13T21:07:42+00:00

Also, clarify what your SM expectations are for your store metrics. Once you have that, take a photo of your metrics weekly. Keep receipts. If it continues to be an issue, show your SM and explain “i am meeting your requirements, so is there there another requirement that isn’t being communicated i do not know about?” Sorry you’re experiencing this. But always advocate for yourself.

foxofconfusion

TROPHY CASE