Is Consumer Non-Durables a Good Career Path?

Are you searching for an interesting and rewarding career? 

It is never too soon to plan what you intend to do for a living. If you are still studying, creating a solid plan allows you to work on the necessary skills and qualifications. Consumer non-durables is one of the largest industries, and it comes with a wide range of different options. This sector is always expanding, and there are plenty of well-paid jobs to choose from. 

So, let’s find out, ‘is consumer non-durables a good career path?’

About Consumer Non-Durables

The consumer non-durable industry mainly involves producing or working with high-replacement goods. These include food products, clothing, and cleaning products. There are numerous jobs in these sectors that contribute to the production, marketing, distribution, and sale of these goods.

The name non-durable refers to the fact that these products are only designed to be used for a limited period. This is because they are eaten, drank, or designed to wear out over time. As a result, these products need to be constantly replaced, leading to a high level of production.

Consumer non-durables include:

Leading Companies in This Industry

When deciding if this industry is for you, it is best to check out some of the largest corporations. Most of these corporations offer internships, where you can hone your skills and gain work experience. Here are some of the largest brands in the consumer non-durable industry that you could work for. 

Coca-Cola 

This US-based nonalcoholic beverage corporation employs more than 80,000 people globally. Employees with different fields of expertise are hired to design, test, and manufacture different types of beverages and packaging. The Coca-Cola corporation makes more than $38.65 billion in revenue annually and is always looking for talented employees. 

Nestle

This major corporation produces more than two thousand brands of consumer non-durable products. The majority of these products are food and beverages, ranging from coffee to baby formula to cookies. Nestle has a presence in 191 countries and employs more than 276,000 people around the world. 

Procter & Gamble 

This company specializes in baby care, hygiene, cleaning, and beauty products. Numerous well-known brands fall under the Procter & Gamble umbrella, including Gillette, Olay, Crest, and Pantene. The company employs more than 100,000 people in a wide range of fields and locations. 

Kraft Heinz 

This international food and non-alcoholic beverage corporation is based in the city of Chicago. Kraft Heinz products are sold in more than fifty countries, and there are hundreds of products to choose from. Talented designers and other professionals are hired to help develop and test new products.

Kellogg’s 

If you are interested in food manufacturing, Kellogg’s could be a good company to work for. Although the company is best known for breakfast cereals, it also offers frozen dinners and snacks. They regularly launch new products, all of which have to be designed, tested, and manufactured.

Kellogg’s was founded in 1906 and is based in the city of Battle Creek in Michigan. The company boasts a significant presence in many countries around the world. There is a lot of scope for people with strong leadership skills to head international divisions. 

Nike 

Nike is one of the best-known athletic apparel companies in the world. It made a reported $46.71 billion in revenue in 2021 alone and employs more than 79,000 people. Part of the secret behind Nike’s success is the company’s ability to hire talented professionals and foster employee loyalty. 

Most of these large corporations offer employees a wide range of benefits and perks. These include competitive healthcare plans, gym membership, pension plans, and free snacks. When choosing which corporation to work for, it is best to take these perks and the company culture into account. 

Reasons to Choose a Career in Consumer Non-Durables

When deciding which industry to work in, it is important to weigh your options carefully. While some industries provide you with transferable skills, others set you on a quite rigid path. Here are some of the key reasons why the consumer non-durable industry is good to work in.

Opportunities for professional growth

Many companies in this industry provide their employees with professional development opportunities. This allows you to develop the skills you need to take your career to the next level. These companies often promote talented employees, and you could rise to the top with dedication and hard work. 

Common Professional Development Courses include:

Competitive benefits

Most companies in the consumer non-durable industry offer full-time employees an excellent benefits package. If you have specialist skills, you can often negotiate these benefits and secure extra paid time off. These help to boost your salary considerably while also providing extra peace of mind. 

Common employee benefits include:

International employment options

Many companies in this industry have a significant presence in a large number of companies. Employees who have valuable skills and experience are often offered the opportunity to work in international branches. This is a good way to discover different countries and cultures while still earning a competitive salary. 

Job diversity

This industry features a large number of fields, which are usually connected. It is possible to work in one field for a major company and transfer to a different field later in life. Most skills learned in this industry are transferable, and changing paths can be a great way to advance.

The main fields in this industry include:

Dynamic work cultures

Most large corporations in this industry understand the value of talented and hardworking employees as well as loyal customers. They often go the extra mile to ensure employee satisfaction and raise their reputation for social responsibility. These practices are built into the company culture and are used to raise the status of the company.

Valuable company culture features include:

Networking opportunities

Many companies in this industry host large networking events to share information and promote their products. These events are great places to meet industry experts and make valuable connections. This can be especially useful if you are searching for new opportunities or want to launch your own products. 

Entry-level opportunities

There are a large number of opportunities for people who are searching for employment after high school. Many of these roles come with on-the-job training and the chance to learn valuable skills. Companies often take part in job fairs and recruit students before they graduate. 

The Best Entry-Level Roles

Lots of jobs in this industry come with paid training and don’t require a college degree. These roles are good options if you aren’t ready to go to college yet or don’t have the finances. You will have the chance to gain some work experience before dedicating time to further education later.

 Here are some of the best jobs in the consumer non-durable industry open to high school graduates. 

Delivery Driver

Most products that companies make need to be delivered to different destinations. This could be delivering products from the manufacturing plant to the distribution center or to stores. Distribution centers also employ delivery drivers to transport products to various stores.

The rise in online shopping has also led to an increase in the demand for delivery drivers. This role is often open to people with a clean driving record and excellent time management skills. This is a great way to gain work experience while making a competitive salary.

Butcher

This traditional profession comes with paid training, and you can apply after leaving high school. You would usually start as an apprentice, shadowing the head butcher to learn the trade. This job usually takes place in a grocery store and involves preparing, weighing, and handling meat for displays. 

Many local farms and specialty butchers also employ people to help prepare meat. It is also possible to secure a role in the meatpacking industry. There are good opportunities to advance once you have completed your training and developed specialist skills. 

Beauty Advisor

This role comes with paid training to provide entry-level employees with the necessary skills. You simply need to have strong customer service skills and knowledge of different beauty products. The role often involves promoting and demonstrating different products in the beauty department of a store. 

Esthetician

This is another beauty role that usually takes place in a dermatology clinic or spa. The role mainly involves advising clients on the best treatments and products for their skin type or skin condition. It is usually necessary to be able to demonstrate how to use these products and have detailed knowledge of cosmetics. 

Chocolatier

If you love working with food and have a sweet tooth, this could be a great entry-level job. Chocolatiers are mainly involved with making chocolate and other types of confections involving chocolate. This role can take place in the laboratory or factory of a major corporation or an independent chocolate shop.

Once you have learned the basic skills, you can take your career to the next level by attending culinary school. These courses teach advanced skills and techniques and provide certification. After becoming fully qualified, you could choose to start your own confectionary company. 

Trucker

This is a great job for anyone who loves to drive and is happy to spend long hours on the road. The main duty is transporting goods to different parts of the country. You need to have excellent attention to detail and be happy working alone for several hours at a time.

It is necessary to complete a special course and earn a Commercial Driver’s License to work as a trucker. Many transportation companies offer new drivers the necessary training and coaching to pass the exam. Once you become qualified, there are several ways to boost your salary by specializing in a particular area. 

Baker

This entry-level role comes with a lot of scope for career development. You can start off assisting a baker in the bakery department of a grocery store chain. This will allow you to gain basic skills and knowledge while earning a salary.

Once you are ready to take your career to the next level, you can attend a culinary institute. Most institutes offer courses on baking, creating pastries, and food safety. You can also take a business course and start your own baking company if you choose. 

Grocery Associate

This entry-level role is often open to high school students and recent graduates on a part-time basis. This is the perfect way to gain work experience and develop valuable skills like customer service. Duties are generally fairly simple and include greeting shoppers, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers.

While the starting salary for this role is fairly low, it comes with excellent advancement opportunities. You will receive on-the-job training and the chance to take on overtime hours. With hard work and dedication, you could work your way up to a management role. 

The Highest Paying Jobs

When choosing a career, the potential salary is sure to be an important consideration. Because the roles in this industry vary widely, there is also a wide range of salaries. Here are some of the jobs in the consumer non-durable industry that come with the highest paychecks. 

Restaurant General Manager

This role is often open to people who have worked in the restaurant industry for a few years. You need to have excellent leadership skills to be able to manage an entire restaurant. This includes overseeing the kitchen, customer service, and seating in the restaurant.

Many restaurant chains require managers to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to secure this role. You need to be able to handle the budget for the restaurant and make hiring decisions. General Managers are also charged with maximizing profits and smoothly handling customer complaints. 

Food Scientist

This specialist role combines a knowledge of the culinary arts with chemistry. Food scientists usually work for large corporations that manufacture different types of food products. The role focuses on the science of high-scale food production as well as preservation. Duties include determining the best ingredients to deliver the desired flavor, texture, and shelf life of food products. 

Culinary Arts Instructor

If you have a background in the culinary arts and enjoy teaching, this role could be right for you. You need to be very knowledgeable and passionate about the culinary arts to do this job well. You also need to be a natural leader and be able to explain and demonstrate techniques in memorable ways. Many vocational schools offer special classes in the culinary arts that focus on instruction. 

Winemaker

The art of winemaking is a valuable skill that can come with a very high salary. You have to have very specialized knowledge about the entire process, from selecting the grapes to the storage of completed batches.

A large number of vocational schools offer classes on the fermentation process and other elements. Some winemakers work for large corporations, while others work for independent vineyards. This can be a very rewarding role if you are passionate about wine. 

Executive Chef

After gaining several years of experience in the culinary world, it is possible to secure this role. Executive chefs are responsible for overseeing the culinary side of an entire restaurant. This includes ordering produce, planning menus, and overseeing the quality of dishes.

Executive chefs can work in a wide range of different environments. It is essential to have strong leadership skills and be able to work well under pressure. If you have a head for business, you could even become the executive chef of your own restaurant. 

Clothier

These knowledgeable professionals work closely with clients to help select garments and tailor them. Once a client has selected a garment, you assist with the creation or alteration process. It is essential to have a good understanding of different garments as well as excellent customer service skills.

This is an advanced role that is open to people who have retail experience. Most clothiers specialize in a particular area, such as bridal wear or men’s suits. It is often necessary to earn a degree in apparel and textiles and clothiers. The highest-paid clothiers often work as independent consultants. 

Clothes Designer

If you have a passion for fashion, this job could be perfect for you. Most large companies that produce clothing hire talented designers to create new designs. This involves having a good understanding of different fabrics and current fashion trends.

It is usually necessary to hold a degree in a design-related field to secure one of the highest-paying jobs. You will also spend a few years working closely with an experienced clothes designer to gain the necessary skills. If you excel in this field, it could be possible to launch your own clothing line later in life. 

Shoe Designer

This is another specialized role that involves designing different types of footwear instead of clothing. The required education and experience are similar to those of a clothes designer. Once you have gained the necessary skills and experience, you could work for a major corporation like Nike. 

Education and Certification Requirements

You need a college degree and specialist certification to gain access to the highest-paid jobs. Therefore, it is important to start planning early and work on gaining the necessary qualifications. Here are some of the specializations that can help to boost your career.  

Cosmetology

You need to be certified to work in the cosmetology field and start working with paying clients. In most fields, you can complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. However, earning a bachelor’s degree will allow you to advance more quickly. 

Certifications in this field include:

Design

Many community colleges offer this certification. This allows you to learn the basics of fabrics and different types of fashion design. Earning this can help launch a career in designing shoes or clothing. 

Apparel and Textiles

If you want to design your own clothes, it is worth considering completing this Bachelor of Arts degree. You will learn how to work with different textiles and gain hands-on experience. This degree also allows you to spend time working on specified projects and finding your niche. 

Read more: Is Real Estate Investment Trust a Good Career Path?

Chemistry

This certification is ideal for people who are interested in a career in food science. This proves that you have the necessary skills and discipline to test and mix different food products. Alternatively, you could work on earning the Food Science certification. 

Culinary Arts

If you work with food, earning a specialist certification can help you take your career to the next level. There are several different certifications to choose from, and you need to select one that matches your skills. 

Popular culinary arts certifications include:

 Job Description Career Guides

We’ve taken a few careers mentioned above and made a selection of guides and interview advice to help you decide which position would best suit you!

Let’s with the hospitality industry and our Chef Job Description, and the most common Chef Interview Questions, followed by our Sous Chef Job Description, our Executive Chef Job Description, and finally, our Restaurant General Manager Job Description.

Next, we move on to the beauty and fashion industry, so take a look at our Fashion Designer Job Description and the most frequently asked Fashion Designer Interview Questions, as well as our Makeup Artist Job Description for 2023.

Lastly, if you love being on the road, we have a wide variety of specializations for your to choose from, such as our Truck Driver Job Description, our Tractor Trailer Truck Driver Job Description, and our OTR Driver Job Description, along with our Delivery Driver Job Description, as well as High Paying Truck Driver Jobs.

Final Thoughts

If you are searching for job stability, consumer non-durables is a good industry to work in. There is a wide range of different jobs in this industry, and there is always a demand for hardworking applicants. Many full-time roles come with competitive salaries as well as an impressive range of benefits.

No matter what your field of interest and specialization is, you are likely to find the right fit. Because the skills you learn are usually transferrable, you will have the chance to try different roles. Many large corporations offer internships as well as the chance to work internationally in certain divisions.

All the very best in your new career path!