Website of the UK government

About the  food and drink manufacturing industry

The food and drink manufacturing sector has dozens of great careers you can choose from. It takes many people with  lots of different skills to produce, process, pack and check everything that we eat and drink.

What skills you need

You may be interested in working in a skilled role as a baker, butcher or brewer to prepare fine products. Or, you could work on a production line producing or packing goods as part of a team.

If you prefer a technical role then maybe a food technologist is the job for you. You could be creating new products and recipes for the market. You could also be a quality control inspector, making sure that food and drink is up to standard when it leaves the factory.

You can build a career in the food and drink industry as it offers many opportunities to train and progress.

Advantages of working in food and drink manufacturing

There are many advantages to working in food and drink manufacturing. For example:

• excellent opportunities – the pressure for new ideas and healthy products will keep the industry very busy for years to come
  
• you can build a great career – there are many opportunities to train and progress 
• a growing sector – there are good food and drink manufacturing jobs for people of all ages

Real-life examples

David Brealey, Chocolate Maker

You can start in this job with a degree, but I think working my way up and training on the job was right for me. I got practical experience and learned the technical stuff at the same time. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s worth it! My current salary is £26,000.

Sheela Kennedy, Production Planner

Lots of women think the food and drink industry is for men only, but that’s not true. There are interesting jobs for everybody. Whoever you are, I suggest you go and find out more about your options. I’m quite new to the job, and I earn about £16,000.

Find a job in this sector

Find out more about training and careers in food and drink manufacturing by visiting the websites below.

• Start a job and skills search Opens new window

• Improve skills - Food and drink industry careers Opens new window

• The Recruitment and Employment Confederation Opens new window

• Careers in food and drink Opens new window

More help and support

For more information on working in this sector and gaining the skills you need, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office and talk to an adviser.

They can also tell you what help and support is available to you to help you into work.

You can talk to a Jobcentre Plus adviser by calling 0845 606 0234.

• Find your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

• Help and advice when applying for a job