26 WORKING IN FOOD & DRINK
The Food and Drink Federation, the voice fishing as well as logistics, distribution and around 18 months to two years, in which
of the UK food and drink sector, says: “UK warehousing. Retail outlets are another trainees get rotated across a range of the
food and drink manufacturers are facing massive area, ranging from wholesaling company’s business areas to learn as
a period of unprecedented change. We and business-to-business sales to much as possible. The aim is to cultivate
can be proud of the positive actions our small, independent shops and the large trainees into manager-level employees, able
industry is taking to meet these challenges. supermarket giants. Foodservice, catering to take a lead in the firm’s business. Career
When it comes to health and wellbeing, and hospitality businesses can include advancement can be very swift, with
for example, UK manufacturers have pubs, bars, restaurants, cafés, hotels and deputy manager and managerial positions
led the world in terms of reformulating conference centres. Graduate-position attainable within a few years, and senior
products, extending consumer choice and roles are available within every sector, regional or national and international levels
introducing significantly improved nutrition covering management, engineering, beyond that. The bigger firms will have
labelling; and will continue to do so.” science and research, HR, IT, finance and operations across the UK and around the
accounts, sales, marketing and public world, making travel or relocation a distinct
Different jobs
relations to name but a few. possibility. Working in food and drink is no
The UK food and drink manufacturing
easy ride however. Because of the nature
industry prepares products ready for Pay and benefits
of the industry, with constant consumer
sale and consumption. This involves Starting salary can be around £18,000
demand and often the need to deal with
the sourcing of ingredients, processing, to £20,000, with some of the larger firms
fresh ingredients or products, employees
preservation and packaging. Other offering £25,000 or more. Joining and
may have to put in long, unsociable hours.
associated areas of manufacturing include target bonuses may also be paid, as well
research and design, taste and consumer as a host of other possible benefits such as
Qualifications
testing and marketing. However, looking company cars, good pension provision and
The type of degree wanted by an
at the broader food and supply chain, staff discounts. Many big companies run
employer will very much depend on the
sectors include agriculture, farming and graduate training schemes, often lasting
job itself – technical or science-based
roles will need specific qualifications, while
CAREERS AVAILABLE
other positions such as management or
sales will usually accept degrees covering
Research and product development Marketing – the process of making sure
almost any subject. Degrees in hospitality
– helping to develop new products or consumers know all about the product
or tourism can be a boon for those
packaging that grabs consumers’ interest and why it is so good. Can involve
wanting to move into hotel or restaurant
and encourages them to buy. elements of public relations.
management, and business-orientated
degrees are also useful. Sarah Evans
Purchasing – sourcing the best raw Sales – the crucial link between
from Discovery Recruitment says: “There
ingredients and materials from the best manufacturing and retailing by
are specialist qualifications, which can
suppliers at the best price. Can involve lots persuading stores and wholesalers to buy
be attained at university, but typically it
of foreign travel. a product. Good communications
is a very open sector to get into. Work
are important.
experience goes a long way, as does
Manufacturing and production – the
an understanding of the sector and the
complex process of turning the raw Logistics – the job of making sure
specific job role within it.” When it comes
ingredients into the finished product. products get to the right place at the right
to class of degree, the bigger employers
Involves planning, operating machinery time and in the right condition, be it by
generally look for a 2:1, though they may
and engineering. road, rail or air. As many fresh foods are
be flexible if a candidate is particularly
perishable, the task is made even harder.
good or has excellent work experience.
Food safety and quality assurance – the
essential part of food production involving Human resources – a remit of supporting Skills and experience
checks throughout the entire food chain. and co-ordinating people, drawing up Most employers will want to see strong
guidelines and policies and defusing and evidence of practical skills picked up in
Retailing and wholesaling – the sector tackling potential employee issues. the food and drink environment – be it
where products are sold direct to other holiday work or unpaid work experience.
businesses and retailers, or direct to Information technology – providing, You don’t necessarily have to have worked
consumers through small and medium-sized monitoring and repairing a company’s on the production line in a food factory
stores, supermarkets or online. technology infrastructure, as well as or processing plant – even part-time bar
developing new applications. work or stacking supermarket shelves
Hospitality and catering – can include shows you’ve got valuable customer
restaurants, cafés, hotels, bars and pubs and Finance and accountancy – helping work and retail experience. Sarah Evans says:
conference centres. Jobs can include general out the financial cost and implications of “People who are ‘down to earth’ are
management, catering chefs, catering business decisions, as well as preparing typically suited to the industry. There are
managers and store and supply managers. and auditing the financial trail. many customer-facing roles within the
gradjobs.co.uk
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