Featured Food Jobs: January 2010 Archives

In the food industry, production planners usually work within the field of food manufacturing. A production planner ensures that the entire product range of a particular company is manufactured efficiently, cost-efficiently and to the highest standards of quality possible. This role also involves finding resources, technology and materials and knowing how best to use them. This is a crucial role in any manufacturing operation, but you need certain skills to be eligible for this particular type of food job.

Key skills
To be a manufacturing production planner, you must:

• Be organised
• Be accurate under pressure and pay great attention to detail
• Understand processes and technologies used in the manufacturing industry
• Have excellent ICT skills

Working conditions vary depending on the nature of the company, but salaries for these food jobs generally start at about £18,000 p.a. and can go all the way up to £30,000 p.a.

How do I become a production planner?
There are a number of routes available for this type of food job:

• Apprenticeships in manufacturing, which progress to operative, team leader and eventually production management roles.
• You can get a Diploma in engineering, manufacturing or product design, or all three
• Alternatively, you can get into the industry by completing a foundation degree, HND/HNC, BTEC or a Degree in manufacturing.

In general terms, a buyer is someone who works within the purchase and supply field of the food industry. The kind of company the buyer works for will determine what sort of products or materials they will source. For example, if you have a buyer food job in a manufacturing or processing company, you will be sourcing raw materials for new products, whereas if you work for a supermarket or other retail company, you will mainly be sourcing finished goods or packaging to sell to consumers.

How to get these kinds of food jobs
As well as having incredibly high standards for quality, you must also be able to keep a watchful eye on market developments, and the buying trends and demands of consumers. You also need the following set of key skills:

• Organisation and time-management - to enable you to see a project through to completion
• Excellent communication skills -in order to liaise with colleagues and develop strong working relationships with suppliers
• Problem solving - You need to be able to think on your feet, and come up with effective solutions as and when problems arise.

In addition to this, a business-related or specialist qualification will definitely be an advantage, as will any relevant experience. A further way into this kind of food job is to undertake a training scheme or buyer apprenticeship programme.

When most people think of food jobs, they usually think of either customer-facing roles such as restaurant managers, chefs and serving staff, or of farmers in the very early stages of food production. However, there is a whole spectrum of roles across the whole of the food supply chain, and many of the most important positions are often overlooked. Skilled and trained employees are constantly required to fill these vital positions in order to keep the whole process running smoothly and efficiently.

Here is a selection of just a few of these unusual yet crucial food jobs:

• Wine producer - When you think of food jobs, you may often forget about the many roles available in the production of drink products. Being a wine producer requires you to understand all of the processes involved in making wine from grapes; you must know about viticulture and vinification, as well as having a passion for the art of making quality wine.

• Abattoir operative - This food job is only right for certain people. Working in a slaughterhouse, you will be part of an essential process required to supply the UK with quality meat. You need to be conscientious about standards and humane slaughter, willing to work with dead animals and waste products, as well as being physically fit.

• Confectioners- A craft-related food job, being a confectioner making sweets and chocolate can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. As long as you have high standards of personal cleanliness, patience and attention to detail, you should go far in this industry.

Within the UK food industry, the area of food production covers a multitude of different roles. One of the major attractions of food jobs is that you get a glimpse of the food production process before food and drink items arrive on supermarket shelves. This is an exciting and ever-changing industry, so why not get involved?

Here are some examples of food production roles:

Butcher
To enjoy this type of work, you need to have an interest in meat and related products and also in interacting with customers. It can be a fascinating job, seeing firsthand how meat is prepared and stored, and you can pride yourself on upholding the highest standards in quality and safety. What's more, no qualifications are essential as most butchers train on the job.

Baker
Bread and baked goods are the foundation of any country's food needs. Similarly to a role as a butcher, bakers are involved at the ground level in the field of local food production. If you have an interest in cookery or food and enjoy practical work, consider being a baker in either a plant, in-house or craft bakery.

Production Operative
These food jobs are essential in the production and processing of any number of food and drink products. You need to be interested in manufacturing processes and food technology, and need to be efficient, responsible, and able to work as part of a team.

When you think of a role in the food industry, the food jobs you consider might be the more hands-on roles like production, preparation and distribution, but there is a whole world of exciting food jobs available behind the scenes. Some of the most interesting roles are in marketing. There are a whole host of different food jobs related to marketing to choose from, if you have the right skills.

There are opportunities in analysis; a marketing analyst, for example, must be able to interpret data and recognise trends, patterns and potential problems.

If you are interested in a job as a Commercial Manager, then you'll be expected to build strong relationships with customers, clients and contacts. This high profile role is perfect for someone with great people skills and a determined, driven attitude.

These marketing food jobs can expand your horizons too; an assistant to a marketing team will help to spread news of a brand around the country, the continent and perhaps even globally. This is sure to open up a lot of doors as you progress on your career path in the food industry.

If you play your cards right, you could end up as a highly paid Marketing Executive, leading your team and reaping the rewards. If you've got the necessary skills and experience there is nothing to stop you getting a great marketing-related food job.

An agronomist is a trained specialist in the field of agriculture and farming; someone with extensive knowledge of the science behind the growth of crops and soils. This includes:

• All of the processes involved in the growth and development of plants
• How the nutrients and water provided by the soil contributes to plant growth
• The reproduction and seed-producing methods of plants

Agronomists also work closely with farmers and other food producers, helping them to efficiently and cost-effectively grow their crops. They are always on hand with advice and Best Management Practices relating to the use of fertiliser and pestcide use, harvesting, and storing crops once they have been gathered.

How can I get a job as an agronomist?

To get an agronomy food job, you must obtain a Bachelors degree from a college or university specialising in agriculture. In addition to this, you can also attend annual training sessions to keep up to date with the latest innovative practices and technologies, and maybe even go on to become a Certified Crop Advisor.

Many people think that food jobs are limited to working in fast food restaurants or supermarkets, but agronomy food jobs are the prime example of how diverse and interesting the food industry can be.