Food Manufacturing 101: In-Demand Jobs, Benefits, and More

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You might not know it, but the food manufacturing industry feeds both you, your family and the American economy.

According to the Committee for Economic Development, food manufacturing accounts for $83 billion in salary and benefits, $9.7 billion in taxes and $62 million in property income.

It’s a massive industry that employs millions of people all across the United States.

The Nature of the Food Manufacturing Industry

What makes the food industry so important to the American economy is just how many jobs are involved behind the scenes. We grab our box of cereal or fruits and vegetables without realizing just how much work goes into getting your food to the store.

Moving raw material and ingredients from the growers, to the manufacturers, to the distributors, to the stores, and then to the customers requires a lot of people. And that doesn’t even include the marketers and brand experts trying to entice you into buying their food over a competitor’s.

Jobs in Demand

Each step of the food manufacturing supply chain requires employees to ensure everything moves smoothly.

And just because you don’t have a green thumb doesn’t mean you’re excluded from the food manufacturing industry.

Here’s just a sample of the roles needed to ensure foods arrive from the fields to your home.

Plant Management

1. Superintendents and Supervisors
2. Directors of Manufacturing
3. Quality Assurance

Supply Chain Management

1. Purchasing and Sourcing
2. Operations
3. Logistics and Distribution

Office Staff

1. Human Resources
2. Marketing and Advertising
3. Finance and Accounting
4. Brand Management
5. Research and Development

Engineering

• Mechanical and Electrical

In addition to these roles, the food manufacturing industry employes machinists, operators, assemblers, drivers and fabricators. These are great roles for those without a lot of experience who want room to grow in a new industry.

Food Manufacturing Benefits

So why food manufacturing? What does this industry offer that you can’t find anywhere else?

One of the greatest benefits to the food industry is that food is always in demand. That seems obvious, but when you consider there are more than 126 million households, you realize just how much work is necessary to pull that off. And lots of work means lots of jobs. Unlike many other industries in the United States, food manufacturing is not highly sensitive to economic conditions. That means if the economy slows down, workers in the food manufacturing industry will largely be unaffected and still be able to work.

But it isn’t just the guarantee of employment that stands out. Many food companies offer amazing benefits to their employees.

Flexible paid time off means you can spend time with family. Comprehensive insurance removes the stress of medical bills and disability. Fitness reimbursements provide you with an added incentive to stay healthy. 401(k) matching helps you save for retirement. These benefits are almost standard across the industry. Many companies are also investing in employee education, so you can progress along you career path without worrying how you’ll handle finances.