By 2030, it's predicted that the FMCG industry will create around 170-190 million new jobs - which will consist of a wide range of skills and a high level of adaptability. In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about the industry and what's needed to succeed in this sector.
The FMCG industry and the businesses that operate within it develop, produce, and deliver highly desirable, in-demand goods that the general public purchase frequently and also experience low engagement by the public. This means that the products are bought with very little consideration as they tend to be sold at relatively low prices.
FMCG products include a wide variety of essential, commonly used food and household items. These products include things like cleaning and laundry detergents, cosmetic products, toiletries, over-the-counter medications, and even food items.
Why the FMCG sector?
Fast-moving consumer goods companies operate extremely quickly, which is to be expected - and not only do they produce goods at a fast pace, but they also predict and adapt to changing consumer demands at the same speed.
Being at the forefront of modern manufacturing and interacting with cutting-edge techniques and technologies that increase efficiency are two major benefits of working in this sector.
At the centre of FMCG production are scientists and engineers who conduct research, maintain equipment, and also enable crucial efficiencies and innovations that help to boost sales and ensure company success.
Industry professionals can also benefit from an international network because most will have a global presence and an extremely diverse workforce.
The Need For New Skills
FMCG companies need to act quickly to re-skill and up-skill employees in order to retain valuable staff in the post-COVID-19 business landscape.
To keep up with changing business demands, many FMCG employers are switching their focus from recruiting new talent to upskilling and re-skilling existing staff - meaning that now is a crucial time to develop your skillset.
For example, PepsiCo is a great example of an FMCG brand that are dedicated to developing their existing employees. During 2022, PepsiCo launched an educational programme to help expand upon their "pep+" initiative. This education programme lets their employees enrol in more than 100 flexible education and upskilling programmes, completely debt free.
If you're interested in working in the FMCG industry, here are some of the qualities that employers are searching for that can help you to stand out from other candidates and workers.
The Skills Employers Are Looking For:
Flexibility: Flexibility is crucial for success in an industry that is changing quickly. Cross-functional candidates who can work with different teams and manage multiple projects at once are more likely to stand out over others. Another essential skill is the ability to work in various ways and settings - in particular, the modern era of hybrid work.
Ability to work under pressure: Having the ability to work in a fast-paced environment is essential. Jobs in the FMCG sector will be challenging for those who are not familiar with working under pressure. Due to the nature of the industry, employees must be able to act quickly, provide excellent customer service, and think clearly in a hectic setting.
Alongside of this, Employees will need to have excellent time management and organisational skills in order to keep up with the fast-moving FMCG industry; otherwise, there's a risk of falling behind and developing burnout over their current tasks.
Technological: The FMCG sector is constantly in need of project management and technological expertise to help carry out projects.
As the world becomes more automated, like most industries, there's now a need for highly skilled professionals with an educated background and the technological knowledge to switch a company from manual to automated.
Conflict and stakeholder management: Effective communication is an essential part of this skill - candidates that can influence brand new thinking and also encourage the adoption of innovations are the people that can tailor their communication with the team, senior leaderships, and other stakeholders.
It's extremely important to build commercial awareness to succeed. Employers will be looking for candidates that can also take responsibility for risks, and proactively manage them as necessary.
Skills across disciplines: Businesses and the FMCG sector are looking for talented candidates who can work in the sector while seeing the bigger picture. Those individuals who specialise in buying and selling can boost their employability by gaining a wider understanding of the other aspects of the FMCG sector - whether that's trade marketing, marketing research, and even product innovation. This understanding can make a huge difference in the recruitment process and can be considered as essential to employers.
The FMCG market offers huge potential, especially with the rise of innovative challenger companies that value data and are shaping the future of FMCG, from products to processes. If you are a candidate seeking a role in the FMCG industry and possess some of the skills we have highlighted, or simply a candidate looking to advance their career in the FMCG sector, feel free to get in contact with us today to learn more about how we can help you.