Consumer non-durables also called fast moving consumer goods are products that are used by consumers regularly like on a daily or weekly basis. Foods, beverages, household cleaning materials and care products are common examples of consumer non-durables. This is the answer to your question, ‘Is Consumer Non-durables a Good Career Path?’.
Over the years, this industry has experienced massive growth giving rise to the surge of interest in this path. If you are doing wondering if consumer non-durables is a good career path for you, this article will expose you to all you need to know to make a sound choice.
Benefits of a Career in Consumer Non-durables
Just like other industries, there are benefits peculiar to people who have built a career or path in this industry. Some of the benefits of a career in consumer non-durables include:
Job Security and Stability
A key benefit of working in the consumer non-durables industry is the job security and stability that it offers. The products you are handling will always be in demand regardless of the state of the economy as they are basic essentials that people can barely do without.
By extension, companies in this industry are not very likely to lay off or cut down staff size easily.
Opportunities for Growth and Advancement
The fast moving consumer good industry is quite competitive with many companies looking for innovative and novel ways to improve their products and stay afloat.
This means that employees are not only valued but encouraged to grow and be creative in their chosen niches. There are also clear career progression parts in most companies.
Attractive Compensation and Benefits
The salaries earned by workers in this industry is relatively high along with other compensations and benefits. The average marketing manager in this industry earns about $95,000 according to Glassdoor while supply chain managers earn about $98,000 yearly.
Common perks that most companies in this industry offer their employees include good work life balance, wellness programs and retirements benefits.
Opportunity to Make a Positive Impact
Fast moving consumer goods are convenience products. Some people may find fulfillment working at any part of the supply chain knowing they will bring ease to someone. It’s a good way to make a positive impact in your environment and society at large.
Read Also: Is Electric Utilities Central a Good Career Path?
Challenges of a Career in Consumer Non-durables
And with merits comes demerits. The work environment in the consumer non-durable industry is not always rosy. It comes with peculiar demands and can be tasking for people who do not have their strengths in these areas. Some of the Challenges of a Career in Consumer Non-durables include:
Fast-Paced and Demanding Work Environment
The consumer non-durable industry is fast paced as it deals with supply of products to consumers. This often translates to long working hours and sometimes pretty tight schedules or due times.
This is likely to be demanding for most people but if you are someone who thrives in a fast paced work environment, this can work for you. Also, companies due to the fear of being overtaken by competitors are likely to mount pressure on employees with the goal of delivering Stellar services.
High Turnover Rates
Businesses in this industry must have a high turnover rate if they wish to keep up. As a result, people in entry-level positions tend to face the pressures of meeting certain productivity standards. This can lead to burnout and chronic stress.
Limited Career Opportunities in Certain Areas
As much as there are a range of opportunities in this industry, these opportunities are limited. For instance, people passionate about research and development may have a hard time building a career in this industry. Their counterparts with interests in marketing or supply chain management for instance will have it a lot easier.
Constant Need to Adapt to Changing Consumer Trends
Adaptability is an indispensable skill if you are looking to build a career in consumer non-durables. This is because consumer interests changes greatly and rapidly so businesses must be innovative in order to remain relevant. This can be quite challenging considering how work dynamics can be easily altered.
Read Also: Is Business Services a Good Career Path?
What are the Highest Paying Occupations in Consumer Non-durables?
Consumer non-durables is a big industry and employs lots of people for a range of services and skill sets. However, some roles tend to command more pay than others. Below are a list of some of the highest paying occupations in consumer non-durables:
Marketing Director – Average salary: $175,000
Marketing directors in consumer non-durables industry handle the development and implementation of marketing strategies aimed at the promotion of the company’s products and services.
They supervise the various professionals on the marketing team and oversee branding and marketing efforts, advertising campaigns and ongoing market research. The creation and execution of successful marketing campaigns to generate sales and promote the brand are key factors in the success of a consumer non-durables business. Hence the wage and benefits the role commands.
Sales Director – Average salary: $165,000
Sales directors are in charge of a company’s sales team. They are responsible for the development and execution of well thought out sale strategies that are expected to meet set revenue expectations.
These professionals work hand in hard with the marketing team as well as the product development team. This synergy ensures that the needs of customers are understood along with service loopholes to be harnessed.
Supply Chain Director – Average salary: $150,000
No business in this industry can be successful without a proper supply chain system. The supply chain director is in charge of managing and making revisions to the company’s supply chain management approach.
They handle the entire process from finding materials to order delivery. They also ensure that the products are made at the right time and within the set budget. This minimizes waste or loss for the company and maximizes profit.
Research and Development Director – Average salary: $145,000
Directors of research and development in this industry are charged with the responsibility of supervising the creation of new products as well as researching features for the improvement of existing products. These professionals play a vital role in helping businesses in this industry stay afloat.
Conclusion on: Is Consumer Non-durables a Good Career Path?
The consumer non durables industry is dynamic with a range of roles to pick from. It is a good career path for anyone with a passion for easing the stress in people’s lives as well as having resilience to cope in the face of extreme pressure. It is important to research specific roles in the industry and to understand the demands before making a choice.
