Promising Career Opportunity in Food Industry

Friends, unless you know the opportunity you could not succeed to chase it. And opportunity could not be build up without proper guidelines and follow up.

I particularly mentioned one thing that before moving into the career and various opportunities one must have the knowledge of predetermined skills.

There is plenty of opportunity in the field of industry, academic, government sector, competitive world to the food aspirants. With concern to the same, we are going to focus on the promising career in the industrial sector their respective requisites in the field food technology.

Present Scenario:

India is 2^nd the largest producer of food and can emerge as a Major ‘Food Basket in the world in Coming Era’.

Though the processing level of perishable commodities is only up to 10% which is very less extent compared to the world like for the USA it is 80%, Malaysia more than 75%. But due to raw material availability, skilled manpower, diverse agro-climatic zone, FDI, we make a prominent increase in its processing level.

MFPI Vision includes three targets:

1.    To increase the processing level of commodities to 20%

2.    To increase the value addition from 20 to 35%

Value addition means adding incremental value for a commodity in its market place.

3.    Increase India’s share in World Food Trade from 1.5 to 3%.

At the same time main boosting factor-like rising income, globalization and shifting consumer preferences offer tremendous scope for the production and processing industry.

Though during COVID19 situation it impacted, but the commodity which leaves with the human being, at last, is a ‘FOOD’. So be ensured about the thing that Food Technology is an Evergreen Field and Food is the necessity of life.

Industrial Opportunity:

Food Processing:

As all of us knows about that Food Technology is the branch of science which deals with the theory and practical’s with concern to the food processing, preservation  and different application techniques.

Food industry mainly consists of four distinct sectors: the farm service sector, the producer's sector, the processor's sector, and the marketer's sector. While the major services performed by each sector is distinct.

Starting with the levels of processing. Here my intention is not to go into the theoretical aspect but I am trying to opt for the practical approach of the positions and work one should go for.

1.   Primary Processing: Here we are concerned with preliminary operations like sorting and grading for raw material.

Ex.: export of Grapes with pre-packaging

If we take the example of different companies nearby the Nashik region involved in it. Like M&M, Sahyadri, Sri Sai. Here the positions like Procurement manager, procurement executive, a purchase manager

2.    Secondary Processing: Different Mills like oil mill, dal mill could be a good example where the end product acts as a raw material for tertiary processing. Also, we quote the example of ENA which is useful to different alcoholic beverages.

3.    Tertiary Processing: It includes different packaged food. Many want to be a part of it as it mainly dominated by MNC like Ferrero, Mondelez, Barry Callebaut, Firmenich, Zydus, Parle, Britannia, GM, etc. These are big brands and many more having the desire to join such industries.

4.    Quaternary Processing: It typically includes service sectors or we can say service providers like Home delivery of food. Many start-ups making their way into such a scenario.

Industrial Career:

1. QA or QC: Friends previously one can easily join the industry as QA or QC executive. But now many companies form the structure so that you have to complete one-year probation under the post of ‘Trainee or Apprentice’.

Here I must say, you have the great opportunity to grab the position of Apprentice when you are pursuing Inplant Training. So that you have to perform up to the mark and you have to possess’ different skills. We will discuss the skills and essentials at a later stage in the presentation.

I must admit one the thing I have seen nearly, 80% of students do their final year inplant or industrial training as a part of curriculum only it means they do that as College Formality. If one has Focused on this scenario then you got the opportunity itself.

2. Quality or Production: These two are prominent department where food tech students make their presence. Either, as a QA, QC, Production Executive, chemist position. Here, You have to cope with the situation of the industry.

3. Shift In-charge: As per experience one could go for the post of supervisor or shift in charge. Rather than the post your responsibility also increases with the requisite manner.

4. NPD: It is mainly done by R and D candidates. That could be an ideal field for many more. It requires analytical skills and generally preferred with good academic background. If you got such an opportunity then definitely go for it don’t look at the package during the initial phase.

5. Entrepreneur: Nowadays due to COVID 19 situations many job aspirants are at their homes. Some of them trying to opt for the chances of entrepreneurs. Friends, it totally depends on your skill, and certain characteristics like innovations, the ability to handle the risk and organization skills. Before moving directly to the small start-up, you must go with the strategy of the market survey. So that you know the competition, pricing policies, distribution, packaging, and required safety stock for the commodity you are looking for in the market.

Promising Opportunity In Industry:

1. Liquor Sector: Yes persons from B Tech background are there but only at the limited position like QA Executive, Process Executive. Here, you have to compete with the students from Alcohol Tech and Wine Tech. Generally one can go for alcohol tech after B Sc food also.

In addition to that, here for the position of Blending or Blender you have to compete with M.Sc microbiologist, Pharmacist, or from other disciplines. In blending you have to adjust the alcohol percentage with a perfect formulation which are just with a blender. And in close observation, you know how to tackle it. Again he is the prominent person for sensory analysis of blend. As it is a fine position but require some experience in the same field.

2.  Marine Sector: Food tech students can also go into the marine sector. Here majority positions are towards the student of Fishery and Maine background. If you have the interest then you go for it. As many companies welcome the students form B Tech background.

3. Ingredient: Ingredient includes a different range of acid regulators, sweetener, anticaking agent, preservatives, food cultures, emulsifiers, flavor enhancer, colors, etc. It specifically used in the sector of the bakery, confectionery, flavors, vitamins, oil, and many more. Here mainly MBA graduates are major competitors. But students from Food Tech with good communication skills and know-how to persuade the customer or the business person must engage themself. Your major role is to work with B2B or B2C. Also one can go for MBA or ABM after Food tech to opt for that career. But be specific to the institute you will go for. Here, I must admit that your career grows by leaps and bounds in this field.

4. New Start-Up: One can go for new start-up but before that SWOT analysis could be done. It includes Internal and External Analysis to start the new enterprise. SW: Current Scenario and OT: Future perspective. Require three basic skills: Innovative skills, organizing and Risk-taking one.

5. Certification or Auditing: Now some food tech students join this as a Career but still the number at a nascent stage. During the current situation and in the future also virtual inspection and auditing make an impact.

6. HSEQ: It stands for Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality. Health, safety, environment, quality: It is the best modern-era option where you can carve your future with the help of required skills and capabilities. Also got handsome packages. You may play a role as an HSEQ Exe. and the HSEQ manager. The role may be with regards to auditing in the office area, canteen in branded commodities.

7. Hygiene Inspector: Today many big brands like TUV absorbed students from food backgrounds for their operations as Hygiene inspection in IRCTC. And it is definitely a good opportunity.