Food is everywhere around us. Whether it’s corn or soybean fields or groceries and restaurants, food brings people together and is a massive driver for the economy. There are also a multitude of ways to build a career in the food industry – from agriculture to food manufacturing. Curious about the kinds of jobs needed to help bring your food favorites to your home? Follow along below!
Agriculture Careers:
Grain farmers grow corn, soybeans, wheat, or other grains that become food and other products we use every day. One example: Field corn is the number one crop grown by farmers in the U.S. It is processed into food ingredients like starches and sweeteners, made into ethanol fuel, and used as livestock feed.
Vegetable growers produce crops like sweet corn, green beans, or tomatoes to be sold at farm stands and grocery stores. Did you know: About 1% of the corn grown in the U.S. is sweet corn. 98% of corn grown is field corn. Popcorn, ornamental, and other types of corn make up the remaining 1%.
Agricultural pilots fly special planes or helicopters over farmland at low altitude to spray fields with crop protectants or to plant crops. Corn is sometimes sprayed in order to prevent fungal diseases. Planes or helicopters are used to apply the spray when the plants develop tassels and silks.
Entomologists are scientists who study insects. Understanding insect growth and behavior helps us determine how some insects may harm or help crops. Fun fact: Rootworms, earworms, and corn borers are common insect pests in corn.
Soil scientists study soil characteristics and map soil types. They may recommend tillage, fertilizer, and crop rotation practices to farmers in order to maintain and improve soil health. Just like people, corn and other crops need nutrients. Healthy soil absorbs water and provides the nutrients crops need to grow.
Plant breeders use techniques such as selection, hybridization, and genetic engineering to develop plants that produce traits such as pest resistance or increased nutritional value. By developing varieties that produce more grain per acre, corn breeders help farmers grow enough corn for our needs even as the amount of land that can be farmed shrinks.
Grain buyers build relationships with farmers to purchase grain for food production companies, grain elevators, and other businesses that process grain into new products. One example: Field corn is purchased by food processors to create products like starches, oils, and sweeteners used in many foods.
Food Manufacturing Careers:
Product Development and Innovation Managers & Specialists create, research, and test recipes that offer new and improved ready-to-eat products available in grocery stores, convenience stores, and large discount retailers. They work closely with customers and internal teams within the manufacturing space on these new products to ensure shelf stability, freshness, and overall great taste. These roles have an interest in and background in culinology and food science.
Strategic Sourcing Team members work with suppliers (who have worked with farmers) to purchase the correct ingredients for the recipes developed by the Product Development and Innovation teams. These team members have experience working with pricing, purchasing negotiations, and working in large teams.
Packaging and Regulatory Compliance Team members design packaging that keeps the ready-to-eat foods fresh, appeals to shoppers, and is easy to transport. These roles must also be highly skilled in understanding legal requirements for packaging, such as including nutrition information and allergan warnings. Packaging team members also research and source eco-friendly packaging options to reduce waste.
Production Assembly Team Members & Machine Operators run the equipment that mixes, cooks, and packages the ready-to-eat food products made by food manufacturers. The machines these roles use help prepare thousands of servings of product quickly and safely.
Quality and Food Safety Team roles check ingredients and finished ready-to-eat products to make sure they meet safety and taste standards. These roles have an interest and background in sciences as they test for items in ingredients and foods like allergans and bacteria.
Maintenance Technicians & Engineers are team members who help maintain and fix the equipment in the food manufacturing plants. They also are challenged with increasing machinery efficiency, maintaining the manufacturing facilities, and solving problems. Without these technicians and engineers, production lines could stop!
Sanitation & Environmental Health and Safety Team members make sure the food manufacturing facilities clean and safe. They establish and follow regulatory guidelines for cleaning to prevent germs and contamination in the foods they produce.
Warehouse & Distribution Team roles plan how the finished ready-to-eat products made by the food manufacturer get from the facility to stores, schools, and distribution centers. They ensure products arrive on time and maintain the proper needed temperature for safety.
