Industry Sectors

Food Manufacturing

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Industry Summary

Food manufacturing is an all-inclusive term for the food industry and involves everything from the preparation and packaging of microwave dinners, to the creation, design and improvement of your favourite snacks. When you walk around a supermarket, almost everything that you see will have had some interaction with the food manufacturing industry – you could be a part of this massive undertaking too.

It isn’t just small, local manufacturers in this sector either, it’s huge, or international – products made in one country are often shipped to many others across the world. Think about your favourite crisps or beverages, it’s likely you’ll be able to find them wherever you go! Food manufacturers strive for continuous improvement and aim for new optimisations daily to make food tastier, healthier and more interesting.

The food industry is highly engaging to be a part of, with opportunities in hundreds of roles. In the past, we’ve helped place young people in different and exciting positions in the sector, such as a chocolatier innovation specialist – not a role that many people would want to pass over!

 

What options can I take for a career in food manufacturing?

 

Work Experience

Work experience in the food manufacturing industry is highly recommended to give you a taste of what the sector involves. Through a work placement, you’ll get the experience of working alongside industry professionals that know exactly what your future career could involve. It’s the perfect opportunity to ask questions and find out the best way to get into the sector. The biggest food manufacturing organisations offer work placements; from procurement, supply chain and marketing to engineering and design, it’s safe to say that there are a huge range of opportunities available not just in the manufacturing aspect of the industry.

Unsure about what a work placement could involve? You should’ve asked!

 

Apprenticeships

As a food manufacturing apprentice, you’ll have a fully-paid, full-time job and work towards a qualification. As you’ll be working in an organisation, you’ll get to see the behind-the-scenes of the industry and put everything you learn at college or with a training provider into practise. As an apprentice, you’ll have responsibility to lead projects, teams and even sections of the manufacturing process as you develop your skills. Some apprenticeships in food manufacturing include:

  • Level 2 – Butcher
  • Level 2 – Abattoir Worker
  • Level 2 – Food and Drink Process Operator
  • Level 3 – Advanced Baker
  • Level 3 – Food and Drink Maintenance Engineer
  • Level 3 – Food and Drink Advanced Process Operator

Want to know what apprenticeships are all about? We have you covered!

 

Degree Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships in the food manufacturing industry aren’t just at college level. There are also opportunities to study a degree apprenticeship at university and combine your apprenticeship with an undergraduate degree. Unlike a traditional degree, you won’t have the opportunity to choose the units as this is decided by your employer; however, this will mean that you will be perfectly equipped for whatever comes your way as part of your job. You can take the theoretical knowledge learnt in the academic setting and then apply this in person to your role – this should help you in your understanding even more. That means you’ll have a university degree without any of the debt!

  • Level 6 – Food and Drink Advanced Engineer (degree)

Is a degree apprenticeship up your street? We’ll help you know!

 

University

The food manufacturing industry does have a surprising amount of academic theory behind it; from production and supply chain to chemistry and engineering. Probably not what you would originally think! You’ll spend a majority of your time at university in lectures or seminars learning the academic theory behind the industry which you will use in your future career once you graduate.

The good news is that you’ll be able to choose the units that you study to create degree perfectly suited to the job that you want! Whether you’re interested in a more practical role or not, it is recommended that you look at degree courses that offer industrial placements or years in industry, so you get an understanding of what it’s like from the inside too.

  • Food Manufacturing with Operations Management BSc (Hons)
  • Food Science and Innovation BSc (Hons)
  • Food Manufacture with Marketing BSc (Hons)
  • Food Science BSc (Hons)
  • Food and Nutrition BSc (Hons)
  • Food Technology and Product Development BSc (Hons)

Want to find out what University could offer you? We have your back!

 

Graduate Jobs

There are plenty of graduate roles available in this sector. If you’ve just left university, a graduate scheme may give you the right experience to get your career off the ground in the food manufacturing industry. Most large food and drink manufacturers offer graduate placements in a varied array of disciplines, but it is important to not overlook the smaller enterprises that account for 96% of businesses in this sector. A graduate role or scheme is an excellent opportunity to prepare you for your career in the food industry and gain the experience that will be crucial in advancing your future prospects as you’ll develop the skills that will set you apart from others.

Want to know what graduate jobs are all about? We can help!

 

Other routes

There are many routes into the food and manufacturing industry – many people find that they come across the sector by accident, rather than actively searching it out! You may initially want a career in engineering and end up working for a food manufacturing organisation, ensuring that the production process runs smoothly. Many people also choose to start their own food manufacturing companies from the comfort of their own home as entrepreneurs, so this is always a fantastic option.

Don’t pass up this tasty opportunity to search for your career in food manufacturing

Career Progression, Discover Your Future

Work Description

Food, drink and tobacco process operatives set, operate and attend machinery to bake, freeze, heat, crush, mix, blend and otherwise process foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco leaves.

Qualification

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though some GCSEs/S grades can be an advantage. Off- and on-the-job training is available. NVQs/ SVQs in Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations are available at Levels 1, 2 and 3. NVQs/SVQs in Tobacco Processing are available at Level 2.

Job Tasks

sets, operates and attends machinery and ovens to mix, bake and otherwise prepare bread and flour confectionery products; operates machinery to crush, mix, malt, cook and ferment grains and fruits to produce beer, wines, malt liquors, vinegar, yeast and related products; attends equipment to make jam, toffee, cheese, processed cheese, margarine, syrup, ice, pasta, ice-cream, sausages, chocolate, maize starch, edible fats and dextrin; operates equipment to cool, heat, dry, roast, blanch, pasteurise, smoke, sterilise, freeze, evaporate and concentrate foodstuffs and liquids used in food processing; mixes, pulps, grinds, blends and separates foodstuffs and liquids with churning, pressing, sieving, grinding and filtering equipment; processes tobacco leaves by hand or machine to make cigarettes, cigars, pipe and other tobacco products.

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Estimated Pay

Information on weekly pay (average, median and decile) is taken from a combination of two sources: the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE); and the Labour Force Survey (LFS) (both conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)). ASHE is widely regarded as the most reliable source of information on Pay and Hours, however it does not include information on pay by qualification as well as some other characteristics (such as self-employment).

Unemployment Data

The level and rate of UK unemployment for this career path measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS) as a percentage, using the International Labour Organisation's definition of unemployment.

Projected Employment Levels

Estimated Hours

Work Description

Jobholders in this unit group pack, wrap, fill, label and seal containers by hand or machine.

Qualification

No academic qualifications are required. Training is typically provided on-the-job and varies according to the type of packing and product. Formal courses are run for specialist packing.

Job Tasks

selects appropriate cylinder, ensures that there is no corrosion or other damage and fills with gas; fills tubes, ampoules, bottles, drums, barrels, bags, sacks, cans, boxes and other containers by hand using measuring/weighing aid or by positioning container under feeder spout; packs heavy goods in crates and boxes using hoist, mobile crane or similar lifting equipment; loads machine with packaging containers, materials, adhesive, etc., loads hopper with items to be packaged/wrapped, monitors filling, wrapping and packaging, adjusts controls as necessary and clears any blockages; examines cans, bottles and seals and rejects any that are faulty; labels goods by hand or machine; packs specialist items according to specifications and completes necessary documentation.

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Estimated Pay

Information on weekly pay (average, median and decile) is taken from a combination of two sources: the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE); and the Labour Force Survey (LFS) (both conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)). ASHE is widely regarded as the most reliable source of information on Pay and Hours, however it does not include information on pay by qualification as well as some other characteristics (such as self-employment).

Unemployment Data

The level and rate of UK unemployment for this career path measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS) as a percentage, using the International Labour Organisation's definition of unemployment.

Projected Employment Levels

Estimated Hours

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