Looking for a job that’s got the goods? We’ve got you covered…
The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is responsible for providing us with the non-durable essentials we buy and use every day – from fizzy drinks and over-the-counter drugs to food and toiletries.
And because the products leave the shelves fast, the industry needs a lot of workers to keep consumers well-stocked.
To help you decide which role is right for you, here are five of the best jobs in the FMCG industry:
Health and Safety Advisor
What they do: Assess, monitor, and enforce health and safety procedures to ensure both equipment and staff comply with an organisation’s requirements. This involves everything from carrying out regular risk assessments and inspections, to developing health and safety strategies and recording accidents or faults.
What you need: Aside from excellent communication skills and an ability to explain health and safety procedures to a team, you’ll also need great attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in everything you do. You won’t necessarily need a degree, but you may need previous experience in a similar role in order to work your way up.
What you can earn: Starting salaries are around £24,000, with Senior Advisors standing to earn up to £50,000.
Perfect for: People who like to play it safe.
Our advice: Don’t panic if you don’t have a degree. Although it can be an essential requirement in some cases, there are other ways to get involved. For example, gaining some relevant work experience and a health and safety qualification recognised by IOSH or NEBOSH can often be a suitable alternative.
How to become a Health and Safety Officer
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Sales Representative
What they do: Sell products to a range of customers, from wholesalers and shops, to businesses and manufacturers. A Sales Representative’s role may vary depending on the type of FMCG they work in, but will mainly involve generating (and keeping) leads by meeting with both new and existing clients in a range of locations – in order to promote goods and agree contracts and payments.
What you need: An outgoing and approachable personality, along with excellent sales and negotiation skills. You’ll also need to be confident, resilient, and determined. Although most employers will look for people with a good level of education, your relevant skills and experience will usually take priority.
What you can earn: New Sales Reps can expect to earn around £20,000 a year, which could double with experience.
Perfect for: People who aren’t afraid of rejection.
Our advice: When it comes to landing a career as a Sales Rep, your personality takes precedence. So to really stand out to recruiters, focus on using your CV to demonstrate essential traits like confidence, communication, and approachability – as well as any examples of previous goals and targets you may have hit.
How to become a Field Sales Rep
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Warehouse Operative
What they do: Organise, check, and pack FMCGs that are sent to a warehouse. This could involve anything from carrying out quality control checks and completing reports, to processing delivery receipts and preparing goods for transit. They’re also responsible for reporting any problems to management, and ensuring the warehouse area is kept clean and tidy.
What you need: Good physical strength, combined with a speedy and accurate work ethic. You’ll also need to be able to communicate well with others, as team work is a big part of being a Warehouse Assistant. There aren’t any set entry requirements, but previous experience in a similar field may be helpful.
What you can earn: Salaries start at around £12,000, but can rise up to £18,000 with experience.
Perfect for: People who are OK with a bit of heavy lifting.
Our advice: There are many industries where you can gain the skills needed to be a Warehouse Operative, so don’t assume you need previous experience in a setting like this to be considered. For example, working in retail is a great way to enhance your physical fitness, team work skills, and overall knowledge of FMCGs, and construction work can teach you a lot about health and safety regulations and relevant equipment (e.g. forklift trucks).
How to become a Warehouse Operative
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Supply Chain Manager
What they do: Manage the flow of FMCGs, focusing on the movement, logistics, storage, and inventory of products. Not only do they organise the steps involved with purchasing and delivering raw materials, they also ensure stock levels are in line with customer demand.
What you need: Confidence, commercial awareness, and excellent problem solving skills. An ability to plan and organise effectively whilst leading a team is also essential. There aren’t any specific entry requirements, but a qualification in a related subject (e.g. logistics, transport, supply chain management) may be helpful.
What you can earn: £20,000 as an entry-level salary, which can rise up to as much as £60,000 with experience.
Perfect for: People who like order.
Our advice: If you’re struggling to break into supply chain management, consider starting in a more junior role (e.g. Transport Clerk), where you’ll be able to gain the essential skills needed to work your way up. And, as many FMCG companies operate their supply chains internationally, learning a foreign language could make you an invaluable candidate for a number of employers.
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Procurement Analyst
What they do: Analyse, research, compare, and contract suppliers, based on cost, quality, availability, and reliability. In order to make the most well-informed choice, they’re required to have an in-depth knowledge of not only the organisation’s needs, but also the market conditions of the industry. This involves visiting trade shows, conferences, and factories regularly.
What you need: Aside from great analytical and communication skills, you’ll also need to be an excellent decision maker with an ability to negotiate effectively. You’ll usually need a degree to become a Procurement Analyst, with engineering, accounting, business, or finance graduates being the most in-demand candidates.
What you can earn: Starting salaries are around £25,000, but this could rise up to £55,000 with experience.
Perfect for: People who always make the right decision.
Our advice: If you already have a degree but it’s in an unrelated field, consider taking a postgrad in any of the above subjects. Not only will it allow you to learn everything you need to know about the job, it’ll also prove your dedication to employers.
View all Procurement Analyst jobs
Still searching for your perfect position? View all FMCG jobs now
