The opening of the Lidl in Springfield on Wednesday brings not only a new food store for the community, but also new jobs for many. That includes Julia Christophe, 24, who will manage the store and its 60-employee staff.
Asked how it felt to be the new store manager, she said “nervous, but [it} puts drive with pressure like this.” She referred to the excitement of the grand opening which drew a crowd large enough to fill the parking lot to capacity and form a line along the building.
The Springfield store also is the nearest to Lidl’s U.S. corporate headquarters in Arlington, so Christophe can expect a good deal of corporate attention and executive shoppers.
Lidl can point to advancing women to several store manager positions; about 50 percent who hold the job are women, according to company spokesperson, Chandler Ebeier. Store philosophy gives all employees an opportunity to learn, train, and move up. Employees move to all positions in the store, from up-front, to receiving and stocking, and to the bakery.
Prior to taking the Springfield position, Christophe worked at the Arlington headquarters in sales organization procedures. While the German based company develops its procedures in the home office, Christophe helped translate those workings to the American market place.
Originally from Germany, where she spent her childhood, Christophe and her family now live in Fredericksburg.