Here's how you can acquire essential experience in Food Manufacturing for a successful career transition.

The best education for a food scientist is to spend time on the production floor— seeing how operations work makes me a better regulator and product developer.

Venturing into the world of food manufacturing is an exciting journey that blends science, technology, and culinary arts. By diving into a food science or technology program, you're setting the stage for a career filled with innovation and discovery. These programs are your gateway to mastering the intricacies of food safety and production management, ensuring that every morsel we consume is a testament to quality and dedication. The hands-on experience gained from labs and workshops is invaluable, equipping you with the skills to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of food manufacturing.

No matter the size of your food business having a working knowledge of HACCP, food safety and allergen management will give you a fundamental approach in making the right choices and managing risk. Free courses are available on the food standards website as well as other free downloadable content to help you build knowledge and meet legal standards and put your theory into practice.

The world of food manufacturing, is very interesting and exciting platform where everyone has a role to play, from the list educated to the well educated, everyone input is as vital as the other. Working together as a team to achieve one major objective, which is to produce safe and quality food for the consumers. Everyone; • Maintenance (electrical, utilities, mechanical). •Production •QA/QC (food science, Biochemists, lab science). •Hygiene and sanitations. •Warehouse •Administrative and accounting •Purchase and logistics. •Marketing If you want to venture into food manufacturing, you most think about the following; Think Quality, Think food safety, Think Sustainability, Think customers satisfaction, Think continuous improvement.

Even if a role isn't your "dream" job, I would encourage new grads to accept the position and learn as much as you can from the experience. When I was starting out, I wanted a role in R&D, but lacked the experience. Instead I accepted a role in QA, learned as much as I could about the facilities that I was working in, the processes and the equipment, and then applied to roles with increased responsibility. I shadowed the R&D teams whenever possible, spent time speaking with them about their roles, and eventually seized an R&D opportunity and haven't looked back since. My early days in Quality helped build the foundation of my food skills, so my time in QA was time well spent!

When it comes to switching industries in an Operations career (Production Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Director), both the type of production process and your knowledge of Quality and Food Safety rules and regulations plays a huge role in your being (or not being) considered for the job. Switching industries it is most important to take a step into the food production, even if the role itself is one step below your usual role. With that experience on board, you can then move more freely within the food industry on your normal seniority level.

The process is well known but it takes a real tolerance for getting on the shop floor and understanding first hand. You learn to observe and absorb every step of the processes, giving you a clear vision as where improvements can be made it how operations may function better or loss is cut down. This type of intimacy gives you the ability show how every part is controlled, especially during audits. If you understand every detail of the production plant and learn from experiences on site, this will also make it easier for consumers (and even those within your organization) to turn to them during necessary improvements.

On the job training is to make a skill and smart work in the manufacturing industry, they know about the job and work error free activity.

You should have real passion for food. Keep watching more videos related to food production which will automatically crave an urge to persue your career. Take short term or full time course

The more training and certification you have, the less potential employers have to "spend" to bring you up to speed. If there are two equally qualified candidates for a position and one has the certifications that the company is looking for, it could be the difference between getting the job and being the runner-up. Look for training from reputable companies like NSF.

PDMA certificate can be important, ISM if you will take a part in sales or CIM for marketing. Industrial engineering diploma can be a huge add to the food tech degree

One can also look at Operational Finance, Sales, Logistics work for a entry to learn more. Country regulations and legal requirement for manufacturing should also not be avoided

El mundo globalizado de hoy nos obliga a trabajar bajo normas de regulación que permitan asegurar los procesos de la industria, sobre todo de la industria de los alimentos. Contar con normas y certificaciones no solo hace el trabajo más organizado, sino que, además, nos permite un buen aseguramiento de la calidad y nos posiciona en un mejor lugar en el mercado.

I attended several food industry events in India and London to expand my knowledge about a specific product I had in mind. These experiences proved invaluable, allowing me to engage with industry professionals and align their insights with my research. Networking at these events provided a deeper understanding of existing food and beverage products in the market. It also helped me gauge my progress in product development without incurring additional costs. I now appreciate the importance of maximizing my time and opportunities through such interactions.

Don't just walk around a show or industry event and speak to your friends or keep to yourself! The most successful networkers will walk up to people and introduce themselves, step out of their comfort zones and engage with people they don't know. Make the most of your attendance at these events, otherwise they are a waste of your money and time.

La unión hace la fuerza, reza un dicho. Y claramente es así. En estos ambientes donde los cambios son tan repentinos, sobre todo en legislación y deseos de consumo, estar rodeado de profesionales que sepan y nos puedan asesorar es fundamental para dar el siguiente paso. Podemos aprender mucho con solo observar al otro

Concuerdo totalmente, esto ayuda a acercarnos más al mundo de la industria alimentaria y a comprender más todo relacionado al proceso de elaboración de alimentos

Volunteering adds value in terms of understanding the user and the need for the product in the communities /consumers. The most needy people not only want certain products, but can also not go without core diet/ traditional diet / staple items.

Never be afraid to ask questions. In food safety, if you have to ask, you are probably right to do so! There is no such thing as a stupid question. Don't be afraid to ask away!

I'm a firm believer in life-long learning, especially when it comes to your career. Infact it's dangerous to become complacent or arrogant enough to think that you know it all! Continuous professional development (CPD) is something that every serious professional should engage in and joining a recognised professional body such as the Institute of Food Science and Technology is highly recommended!

Pienso que el aprendizaje continuo es uno de los pilares de las personas que trabajamos en las áreas de las ciencias y las tecnologías, no sólo porque es esencial debido al cambio vertiginoso del ambiente, sino que además nos permite adentrarnos en el mundo cambiante de hoy en día. Estar siempre a la vanguardia de los temas y los procesos, capacitarse siempre que se pueda, aún cuando ya creemos saber del tema, siempre hay una nueva mirada que nos enriquece,colaborar con otros profesionales, asistir a eventos, investigar. Es un proceso continuo de cambio para el cual debemos estar a la orden del día

Tienes que tener en cuenta que, así como hablamos de la mejora continua, también la educación es continua, nunca acabas de aprender, ponte siempre al día y trata de ir más adelante siempre. Y algo que hay que tener mucho en cuenta, que les decía a los miembros de mis equipos: Educa, Educa, Educa: a otros comparte con los demás los conocimientos para que crezcan todos juntos.

The best advice my mom gave me before I started my first job is that no one cares about what you know until they know that you care. This is applicable to not just a first job, but starting at a new company or going into a new branch. Walking in as a “know it all” or as if your way is the best way isn’t going to help with a two-way exchange of information. Take the time to talk to those on the production lines, the leads, the supervisors because they’re the subject matter experts of that process in that time and place. Also asking what would make the job more efficient gives an outlet for their voice to be heard, which in many cases people don’t take the time to listen to despite there being valuable information to be shared.

Look for a ethically sound manufacturer that gives back to the communities... a Quality over quantity approach. Top quality producers stay in business due to the consumer trusting the Brand.