Experts predict that the value of the global food and beverage market is set to grow from $6.4 trillion in 2022 to $8.9 trillion by 2026. This reflects an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7 percent.
In the US alone, the food and beverage industry is now worth around $1.5 trillion. And all kinds of food-based businesses generate close to one-fifth of the nation’s total GDP.
While we must rely on the food industry to produce, distribute, and sell us the food we need, almost 15 million Americans depend on this industry for employment.
But what kinds of career options in the food and beverage industry are there? Let’s take a look. 
An Overview of the Food and Beverage Industry
As you might expect, getting food from the field onto our plates involves many different steps and processes. Depending on the particular food product in question, it might also be necessary to speed up, combine, or skip some steps.
But on a basic level, the food and beverage industry supply chain tends to look something like this:
Manufacturing
This stage is where you see the most difference in the exact methods and materials used. As such, it can help break it down into three separate phases:
- Raw Goods/Agriculture —This step can involve anything from growing and harvesting wheat to catching fish. But, whether the food in question is fruit, meat, or flour, it has to come from somewhere and relies on workers in this sector to produce and/or extract it
- Warehouse — It is often necessary to transport raw materials such as crops, fruit, and vegetables to a warehouse before processing
- Processing — This final step prepares food for transportation and consumption. For example, this means turning wheat grains into flour and preparing fruit for transportation
Distribution
Here, food distributors must transport and distribute packaged food to retailers and wholesalers. This can be within the local area, across the country, or for international exportation.
Food Service
On delivery, retailers will then unload food and beverages for further processing and/or sale. Whether the retailer is a supermarket, bakery, or restaurant supplier, this is the last step in the food supply chain before reaching consumers.
Careers in Food Manufacturing
Careers in the food manufacturing industry are diverse. They include primary industry careers such as agricultural workers, as well as secondary industry roles focused on converting and processing raw materials into foods and beverages:
Agriculture
Agriculture has a reputation for being a thankless career choice full of mud and 5 am-starts. But this view shows a lack of appreciation for the complexities of modern agriculture. Not to mention, a limited understanding of the endless range of careers within this innovative sector.
While there are jobs based on farms, you can also work in agriculture as an engineer, researcher, scientist, trader, or business advisor. Even farm-based roles aren’t limited to farmhands and managers, either. Agronomists, for example, are plant specialists or “crop doctors” who work with farmers to ensure that their crops are as healthy and abundant as possible. 
Processing
In total, production workers account for 54 percent of all jobs in this sector. These include those involved in confectionary making, grain milling, and dairy product manufacturing. But it’s animal slaughtering and processing that employs the most, with this specialism accounting for over a third of all food manufacturing production workers.
Many others work as supervisors, product inspectors, and farm equipment mechanics. Regardless of your chosen career, though, a key advantage of the food manufacturing and processing sector is that it is not overly sensitive to economic conditions.
Careers in Food Distribution
As with careers in food manufacturing, pursuing a career in food distribution offers all kinds of pathways and possibilities. Not least because there are many different kinds of distributors, from specialty food distributors working in niche markets to large-scale broadline distributors.
Warehouse workers and delivery drivers are essential to the smooth running of any food distribution company such as Buffalo Market. But the time-sensitive nature of food and beverage transportation also relies on many people working behind the scenes to overcome back-ups, bad weather, and other potential issues in an attempt to avoid food waste and lost profits. These can include supply-chain managers, logistics experts, and freezer technicians.
And then there are the people responsible for attracting new food distribution company clients and keeping them happy. These include the negotiation skills of sales staff, the magic touch of the marketing department, and the merchandisers who must go above and beyond in their role as distribution company ambassadors. 
Careers in Food Service
When asked to name career options in the food and beverage industry, most people think of customer-facing food service jobs such as bartenders and supermarket checkout clerks. While these are key career choices, here is a breakdown of the full range of food service roles:
Retail
Food retail includes everything from market stall traders to butchers to large-scale supermarkets with aisles of food for sale. Workers in smaller food specialty stores will tend to have specific food-based skills, such as cake decoration or meat-cutting training. In contrast, most workers in supermarkets will often only need a few days’ training before starting work.
As well as the people who sell you your groceries and bake your bread, there are many people behind the scenes in the food retail sector. These include buyers, merchandisers, warehouse staff, and managers, all working together to ensure a smooth operation for their customers.
Meal Preparation
In the US, 64 percent of adults dine out at least once a week. Whether you prefer fast food or haute cuisine, these food service establishments offer a range of different career options for those interested in food and meal preparation.
Key roles include prep cooks, sous chefs, and executive chefs. Although, the exact qualifications and experience required for these roles depends a lot on the establishment in question.
Catering is another option for those with a passion for making delicious meals. Client-relation skills are a must too. Plus, since most catering services are owner-run, you’d also need sharp business acumen to succeed. 
Service & Delivery
This final section involves the customer-facing workers who supply the food and beverages. In restaurants and bars, career options include wait staff, runners, bartenders, and mixologists.
As take-out options continue to grow, career choices in this sector also include delivery drivers. These workers are either employed by restaurants or delivery services such as UberEats. And, with 70 percent of US households ordering groceries online at least once a week, there’s also a growing need for supermarket delivery drivers.
Understanding the Diversity of Career Options in the Food and Beverage Industry
As this guide shows, there are far more career options in the food and beverage industry than most people realize. Regardless of the specific role you fulfill, though, the industry is and will always be a vital contributor to the national economy.
Well-known roles such as farmers, store clerks, and waitstaff are all valid examples. But food industry career options can include anything from pastry chefs to distribution workers. So if you’re looking for a new challenge, the food and beverage industry could have the perfect role for you!
For all the latest food and beverage industry updates, be sure to check out the rest of our Buffalo Market blog.
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