The job market is a tricky one to navigate – especially if this is your first time applying for jobs! The applications and cover letters start to seem endless and it’s easy to get disheartened.
Here at MYP, we want to make the process for applying for jobs easier for you and help you get your foot in the door of the career you always dreamed of being in.
We’ve partnered up with some of the best companies in Manchester, so we can support young professionals by expanding their network of contacts to give them the best chance to secure their perfect role.
If you’re new to our ‘A Career In…’ blog series, you’re in for a treat! We explore a wide range of job opportunities available in – you guessed it – Manchester. We’ve previously spoken to our digital partner, Embryo, to find out about A Career in Digital Marketing, as well as Time Finance, to discover more about A Career in Finance.
Today we are chatting to All About Food to get all the information you need to know about A Career in Food.
The UK’s food sector, explained by All About Food
All About Food has a unique business model in that we use other people’s brands under licence (licence specifics and durations vary) to make restaurant and coffee shop brands a success in retail.
We work with a range of brands, including:
- Nando’s
- Costa Coffee
- Pizza Express
- wagamama
- Pret A Manger
- Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK)
- Reds True BBQ
As a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, we produce, manufacture, and distribute household products found in supermarkets. In 1999, we started selling bottles of Nando’s PERi-PERi sauce and have since expanded to sell:
- Mayonnaise
- Cooking aids
- Dry rubs and spices
- Meal kits
- Salad dressings
We also now operate in the frozen, chilled, and coffee categories.
The UK’s food and drink sector is valued at £104.4 billion and is one of the country’s biggest manufacturing industries. It’s even bigger than the aerospace and automotive sectors combined!
Companies in this sector are highly competitive and produce items for famous brands that are seen and used every day. They are also innovative and continually searching for readily available and affordable consumer products. This creates a work environment that promotes creativity and sharing ideas.
So, if you are a creative thinker who enjoys working in a team environment, a career in food may just be for you.
The types of jobs available in the food sector
Whilst keeping up with demand for existing products, FMCG companies are consistently developing new product ideas. With a wide variety of goods manufactured and distributed, this sector offers plenty of varied opportunities.
Here at All About Food, we offer a wide range of roles at differing levels, including:
- Supply Chain Management
- Marketing Management
- Category Management
- Finance
- Sales Account Management
- Innovations
- Procurement
- Technical (Food Safety and Legislation)
- HR
We hire many graduates who learn different aspects of the company. For example, commercial graduates are able to learn:
- Category
- Brand
- Sales
- Supply chain
- Operations
We also hire finance graduates who have the opportunity to complete their finance exams whilst gaining relevant skills and experience within their role.
It is important to us that all members of our team have progression opportunities, and we work closely with our leadership team (some of which were former graduates) to offer intensive training.
What the All About Food team has to say about a career in food
Laura Siddals, recruitment and employer brand executive at All About Food.
‘Working at All About Food provides an environment where you can build your career and challenge yourself.
‘Our teams consist of lots of people at different stages of their career and it is important to us that we support and grow them – and it’s important to them too!
‘We celebrate diverse opinions from every member of our teams, no matter their position. Our culture is built on a belief that by having a fair playing field, everyone can thrive.
‘We believe this is the key to positive change and unlocking transformational opportunities for both the business and our individuals.’
The benefits of working in the food industry
According to a report by the London School of Economics and Political Science, by 2025 the UK’s FMCG market share is estimated to increase to 12% – almost double what the market is currently at.
Therefore, now is a great time to start your career in the food industry and it comes with numerous benefits, including:
- Attractive salaries
- Generous benefits
- Career progression
- Impressive bonuses
- Job stability
The fast-moving nature of this industry means that no two days are ever the same. So, if you are someone who easily gets bored and enjoys being challenged, a career in this industry may be the right choice for you.
How you can get a job in the food sector
We understand that knowing how to land your dream job in this industry is extremely overwhelming. What degree is the right one to secure your dream role? Will gaining experience improve your chances?
As we already mentioned, although it is the food sector, there are a number of different paths within this career that aren’t to do with food. For example, you could get a role in:
- Sales
- Finance
- Operations
- Logistics
- Photography
Plus, if university isn’t the right fit for you, there are a number of apprenticeships that allow you to get your foot in the door of the food industry. Many of the All About Food leadership team first started as apprentices, so don’t write off this career path!
How MYP is the right stepping stone to help you secure your dream career in food
As Manchester continues to grow so do the job opportunities, and we really can think of no better place to be a young professional. At MYP, we host a whole host of networking events so you can meet employers and show them why you should be their next hire!
Our events can sell out fast, so stay tuned to make sure you don’t miss out!
To be kept up to date with our latest networking events, give us a follow on Instagram or simply get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!
