Jobs and Careers Autumn 2019 - 232

training schemes that are open to
all (see box, right). You'll need to
be skilled in analysis, negotiation
and decision-making, since you'll be
responsible for making major decisions.
How much can I earn? Salaries
start at £18,000 for trainees, but can
rise to £70,000 for senior buyers.

Food technologist
A food technologist researches and
develops recipes, produces samples and
designs the processes to manufacture
items in large quantities. You'll also
be responsible for ensuring the safety
and quality of products - frozen food,
a large part of the food retail market,
offers particular challenges in this
area. You can progress to become a
project leader or move into research.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? A degree in food science or
food technology is usually required,
although a related degree such as
chemistry or nutrition may allow
you to train on the job. You'll need
to be creative, analytical and able
to follow industry guidelines.
How much can I earn? From around
£20,000 to £45,000 with experience.

Marketing executive
Food retail chains aim to build
long-term relationships with
customers based on trust, value and
service, and a marketing executive
will promote the brand to current
and potential customers. You'll be
responsible for organising special
promotions and store events, and
researching market trends. If you
excel at your job, you can become
a marketing manager or director.
What skills and qualifications
do I need? A degree in marketing,
business or advertising is helpful,
but apprenticeships and graduate
training schemes are available in
this area. You need to be creative,
with excellent communication
skills and analytical ability.
How much can I earn? Salaries start
at £18,000 for new recruits, but senior
executives can earn £35,000 or more.

Supply chain assistant
Supply chain and logistics are all
about the movement of goods from
suppliers to stores. A supply chain
232 /// JOBS & CAREERS

assistant negotiates with suppliers,
tracks shipments of food, maintains
stock levels and forecasts needs - for
example, what foods will be popular
at which times of the year. You can
move on to supply chain management,
senior planning roles or consultancy.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? A qualification in logistics
or supply chain management
is a common requirement, but
many people learn on a graduate
scheme or apprenticeship (see
box, page 229). You'll need strong
organisational, problem-solving and
communication skills. Proficiency
in foreign languages is helpful.
How much can I earn?
Salaries start at £20,000, rising
to £60,000 for managers.

Software engineer
Food retail chains increasingly rely
on digital technology to monitor and
order stock, streamline checkout
and payment processes, process
data, manage online shopping and
even run robots in the warehouses.
To do that, they rely on teams of IT
experts and software developers.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? Most software engineers
will have a degree in computer
science or software engineering,
although apprenticeships are
available. You'll also need great
problem-solving skills.
How much can I earn? From
£20,000, rising to more than £80,000
for an experienced software developer.

Distiller
With the trend for craft spirits,
distilleries are on the rise. Creating
flavours requires science, skill,
patience and flair - it's one of the
most creative jobs in food and drink.
What skills and qualifications
do I need? An HND/HNC in food
and drink sciences helps, and
you can gain qualifications at the
likes of the Institute of Brewing
& Distilling. But it's best to throw
yourself into the industry and soak
up as much knowledge as you can.
How much can I earn? You'll start
on around £20,000, rising to £32,000
with experience. Master distillers can
make £50,000 or more.

Diversity aims
How the food industry is
embracing inclusivity
Some of the biggest names in
food have teamed up with the
charity GroceryAid to create the
Diversity in Grocery campaign,
which held a conference at
Wembley Stadium in March
2019. The keynote speaker was
Karren Brady, who emphasised
the industry's responsibility to
address its inclusivity issues.
"Diversity and inclusion is
everyone's business," says
Alessandra Bellini, chief
customer officer at Tesco. "We
want to encourage everyone
to be themselves, whoever you
are, wherever you work and
whatever you do, so you can
reach your full potential."
Jobs and Careers Autumn 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Autumn 2019
