Food Jobs in Southern Africa

A large number of food and drink industry candidates are becoming far more open to the option of global career development opportunities.

Opportunities provide a completely different working experience, together with an extra individual challenge associated with cultural differences. When talking about the food industry and food manufacturing facilities abroad, there often exists a certain prejudice about quality of equipment and health, safety and hygiene standards. This, however, is often due to a comparison being made with the facilities found the UK's food manufacturing industry - which is frequently seen as being some of the most advanced in the world. Despite the standard of the equipment being so high in the UK, food manufacturing facilities in countries across the globe including Zimbabwe and other areas of Southern Africa are regularly recognised as achieving world class standards.

Why a food job in Southern Africa?

When candidates have decided they are looking to work abroad, particularly in a food job in Southern Africa, many questions need to asked to determine the reason for the move and to ensure it will be a positive experience for all involved - the client, the candidate, and their family.

Some of these questions include:

• What would you be looking to achieve by moving to work in a food manufacturing facility in Southern Africa?
• What skills would you be looking to add to your CV through this move?
• How long is the duration of the opportunity - is it a permanent opportunity or a contract role?
• Will it require relocation of your family, especially if a permanent role? How will this affect anyone involved - spouses, children, relatives?
• What is the exit strategy should for whatever reason you would want to return home?

We have a number of food manufacturing clients based across Southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe, who are looking to bring in food professionals from the UK to drive innovation and western manufacturing techniques throughout their facilities.

Previous experience working internationally can add value to your CV as it illustrates transferability of your skill set, adaptability, ambition and the willingness to take controlled risks. Candidates who have yet to add international experience to their CV will find this the perfect opportunity to take their career to the next step and will almost certainly reap the benefits later in their career. You will be more attractive to employers in the long term due to your international and cultural experiences - but bear in mind you may find it a challenge getting back into the domestic market after being out of the UK for a significant amount of time.

So is a food job in Southern Africa for you?

Over the past 12 months, Focus Management Consultants has worked with a significant number of international clients in areas such as Africa, Australia, the United States, the Middle East and various locations in Europe.

Each market has its own challenges and benefits. Candidates are often much more attracted to working in somewhere like the USA or Australia than they would be in to a food job in Southern Africa or the Middle East.  The latter two should not be ruled out however, as these areas bring challenges and huge scope for innovation. Some of these locations are willing to put massive investment into their food manufacturing facilities whilst others are looking for focus on improving operaional standards across their factories.  

When considering an international opportunity, one must consider several aspects of working and lifestyle.

• What is the client company like? Are they forward thinking, advanced, and willing to provide development opportunities for you as an individual? Will the opportunity provide you with the grounding and resources to begin a potentially long-term international career?
• What is the location like? Will cultural or religious beliefs inhibit the way you live your life at present?
• Will my partner or family be happy? Will they be able to work, receive a quality education, and receive medical help if required?

A decision to take a food job in Southern Africa or other international locations takes a lot of thought, but the challenge the opportunity provides can often be too good to miss - hence why we receive massive demand from candidates every time we receive a new international role.

The positives of a food job in Southern Africa?

Focus Management Consultants have worked with food businesses in Southern Africa for some time. We have provided food processors, food manufacturers and food retailers with the best candidates the UK has to offer, who have driven strategic change and innovation making factories more efficient and more profitable.

Our portfolio of food businesses in Southern Africa includes independent companies, global food manufacturing businesses to International food retailers.

The food industry in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe has seen growth over the last decade, in line with the growth in the economy. Standards have been raised and are now comparable to many other countries across the globe, with world class manufacturing sites appearing across the region.

We provide only the best opportunities for our candidates - there is no logic in putting candidates forward to opportunities that are not what they originally seem, or where the candidate will be unhappy. This would result in the candidate returning home, an unhappy client and damage to the Focus Management Consultants brand. Our opportunities are some of the best international vacancies on offer, and we make every effort to ensure our candidates will be 100% happy with their decision to relocate and develop their international career.

We make regular contact with all our candidates we have placed across Southern Africa to make sure they are achieving everything they wanted from the role, that they are happy with their lifestyle and to check that the client business is thriving and recognising the value the candidate is adding.

Our candidates often talk about the desire to improve standards and striving to achieve the best, applying their knowledge and experience from the UK food manufacturing industry to an international business. They love working with the teams within the factories and in most cases with other professionals who have come over from the UK or other areas in Europe to drive the business forward.

On the lifestyle side of things, many love the accommodation standards, the surrounding landscapes, coasts and cites, and opportunities for travel.

So, if an international food career opportunity in Southern Africa is of interest to you, please get in touch with us today. We are happy to provide more information and to discuss the opportunity in detail, providing you will all the necessary information required for you to make a decision.

Latest Food Job in Southern Africa

Managing Director - Leading Food Business