If you are seeking a career in Consumer Packaged Goods staffing, the industry is full of opportunities for people with specific skills and experience. Companies need these candidates to dominate the industry. In this article, we discuss the physical skills required by companies in the industry, the types of compensation packages available to candidates in the industry, and the experience of MFC’s recruiters.
Need for physical skills in the CPG industry
The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Automation is causing a decline in the need for physical skills, and physical workers are being replaced by those with analytical, technical, social, and emotional skills. Meanwhile, the shift from traditional manufacturing methods to digital channels is creating a demand for more people with higher-level skills.
A high-paying job in the CPG industry requires strong analytical skills and a nose for deals. You must have excellent communication skills in order to make it in consumer goods staffing, and also be able to develop relationships with customers to secure repeat business. You also need to be able to interpret sales data and understand trends. Experience in business or management is also a plus.
A CPG company must constantly look for new ways to improve their products and services. By remaining complacent, they risk being outpaced by competitors. For instance, companies like Ben & Jerry’s, Milk-Bone, and Arm & Hammer develop new flavors every year based on consumer suggestions.
In the CPG industry, a brand manager must be able to analyze marketing data from multiple sources to personalize coupons and loyalty programs. This includes targeting frequent buyers with relevant offers in real time. This means a new class of employees is emerging with skills such as relationship-building, technological knowledge, data literacy, and cultural sensitivity.
The CPG industry faces a major challenge: the transition from brick-and-mortar sales to online sales. Online channels require different approaches, skills, and tools, and CPG companies are having a tough time adapting to this new environment. As a result, most companies are losing ground to fast-moving competitors.
Changes in the industry by 2030
A recent report by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) focuses on the changes that will shape the industry by 2030. It includes interviews with 13 of the world’s leading consumer goods companies, including Ahold Delhaize, Alibaba Group, and Ajinomoto Group. The report highlights important priorities for the industry and offers solutions for companies to tackle the challenges ahead.
Changes in the CPG industry will be shaped by a number of factors, including technological innovations and consumer preferences. While the industry has seen massive growth over the past quarter century, it continues to face several challenges. The industry is undergoing rapid change – from consumer demographic shifts to rapidly evolving technologies.
Consequently, companies in the CPG industry need to be well-prepared to meet these challenges and adapt. The packaged food products industry will be driven by the working population, which tends to prefer products that have few ingredients and require minimal preparation time. This has pushed the market for ready-to-eat food products to increase.
Additionally, urbanization has spurred the demand for packaged food. In addition, the trend towards healthier foods is expected to accelerate the growth of the industry. As consumers become more health conscious and environmentally aware, many manufacturers of packaged foods are focusing on creating healthy organic food products.
For example, UK-based Just in Time will introduce its first zero-waste plant milk product in April 2021 (https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/make-your-own-plant-based-milk/). It will use sustainable source organic oats and a compostable pouch. Many consumer goods companies are focusing on packaging transformation as a means of reaching emissions targets and circularity goals.
One major demographic change in the coming decade is the aging population. By 2030, the U.S. population will be composed of nearly half Hispanics and one-third non-whites. In addition, the white population will decline from 65 percent to 55 percent. By 2023, the majority of children will be non-white.
Compensation packages offered by CPG companies
For a fast-paced career with great compensation, a career in the CPG (CPG) industry can be a great option. These companies are known for their high employee retention rates and their focus on corporate citizenship. They also offer a stable work environment that promotes long-term employment.
A major attraction for candidates for CPG jobs is the chance to make a positive impact on an emerging company. For instance, a CPG company may hire an employee who is interested in building efficiencies, which will help the company become more profitable. In addition, a growing CPG company may be able to leverage E-commerce to sell products directly to consumers.
The CPG industry is also hiring MBAs with specific functional experience. Almost seventy percent of newly-hires work in a marketing or brand management role. While many of these positions may not require MBAs, CPG companies are looking for a unique set of skills and experience.
In addition to being more flexible and agile, incentive compensation programs must align with the changing CPG landscape. For example, incentives must be flexible enough to deal with shifts in sales focus. For this, companies must be able to modify volume quotas on a regular basis and make more concentrated incentives tied to product requirements. These frequent changes can be problematic for the administrative staff.
The average compensation package offered by a CPG company can be as high as ten percent of annual salary. Moreover, companies often consider loyalty as an important factor when choosing an employee. Whether an employee has the skills required to do their job well is a key factor in determining their compensation. A high-performing worker in the CPG industry will be paid well.
Moreover, the CPG industry needs to keep ahead of changing consumer preferences and marketing campaigns. New product launches may require quick response from manufacturers. This may involve changes to sales strategy, packaging, and promotion. The introduction of new products can also necessitate changes in pricing. The sales department must be able to keep up with the buying habits of consumers to develop effective marketing strategies.
