Is Specialty Foods a Good Career Path?

Last Updated on August 24, 2023

The food and beverage market is one of the most foundational industries in the global economy. Within it, there are different sectors where one can find a steady career path while pursuing their own passions. The specialty foods industry, which is defined as value-added goods products, include gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, artisanal chocolates, exotic spices, specialty beverages (such as craft beers, small-batch wines, and unique teas), as well as sauces and dressings. These are considered premium items that people add to their shopping carts for their special flavors, uniqueness, and quality.

The specialty foods market is a worthwhile career path to take on, especially for those passionate about the culinary arts and culture. Globalization has also affected people in the way they want to experience other cultures through their food, thus providing an increase in demand in supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and specialty food stores. Due to the vast array of products showing up in the market, it also needs professionals that will ensure safety and health of consumers.

What are the Best Specialty Foods Jobs

Careers in the specialty foods industry can be limitless if one knows where to look. From food scientists to budding entrepreneurs and marketing professionals, there are many job opportunities in this field. Here are some of the best jobs one can get in the specialty foods industry:

Food Product Development Specialist

Food product development specialists are the ones responsible for coming up with new recipes which can eventually turn into new products for the company. They can specialize in one specific cuisine or one type of product, such as jams or dressings. Aside from developing food products, they also have to make sure that these are unique and that there is a segment of the market that can be their target. Food product development specialists work in teams with food scientists and other chefs to make sure that they are creating specialty products that only they can offer.

A master’s or bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or Food Engineering is typically required by employers, depending on the specific roles and products to be developed. Taking on courses such as the Practical Food Product Development certification also helps further one’s career.

Food Quality Assurance Specialist

When a recipe or proposed new product is approved and goes on to production, it is the food quality assurance specialist’s job to ensure that the food items are consistent in quality. They also implement stringent quality control measures to maintain the highest standards of taste, safety, and authenticity. They oversee testing procedures and the production process, including checking the raw ingredients from suppliers to make sure that they will be having an excellent end product.

In general quality control inspectors need a minimum of a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training once employed. However, certificate programs or certain bachelor’s degrees are required by some employers, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a field such as quality control management or engineering. Becoming a Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor (CFSQA) is also important to be able to understand the standards and principles of auditing a Food Safety and HACCP-based (or process-safety) system.

Sales Representative

Specialty food manufacturers rely on sales representatives to introduce their products to the market. They visit retailers, distributors, restaurants, and even hotels to let them know about their company and their offerings. While these specialty food items should speak for themselves during tastings, it is the role of the sales representative to further put the company and the products in the spotlight. They must be fully educated about all ingredients and processes that go into a product, especially since allergies and food restrictions are of the utmost importance to consumers.

Sales representatives need a minimum of a high school diploma. However, in the specialty food business, those with marketing, economics, communication, or even a foreign language background are preferred.

Some of the certifications or advanced courses sales representatives can take on are the The Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) certification and the Certified Sales Professional (CSP) certification, both offered by the Manufacturers’ Representatives Educational Research Foundation (MRERF).

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers on the other hand design and execute creative strategies to put the word out about a company’s products and services. In the food specialty industry, they come up with the right promotion and marketing plans, both in-person and on social media, to make sure they reach out to the intended market or audience for their products. Strategies can include collaborating with celebrity chefs, organizing free tasting events, or launching events, depending on their product.

Marketing managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Economics, Communications, or Hotel Restaurant and Management. They must have had sufficient experience in the specialty foods market and those with a network of clients and a portfolio of marketing projects are highly preferred by clients.

Buyer/Procurement Specialist

High-quality specialty food items require high-quality raw materials and ingredients. This is where buyer or procurement specialists play a role, as they focus on sourcing the best materials from their partner suppliers. Their responsibilities also include negotiating contracts and maintaining supply chains that adhere to the industry’s standards of quality and sustainability.

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents typically need a bachelor’s degree. However, educational requirements for buyers and purchasing agents usually vary with the size of the organization.

Aside from a bachelor’s degree, the American Purchasing Society offers the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) certification, which is valid for 5 years and can be renewed through a combination of purchasing-related experience, education, and professional contributions. On the other hand, the Association for Supply Chain Management offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential. The credential is valid for 5 years and can also be renewed.

Why Choose Specialty Foods as a Career?

Specialty foods is a special sector for those passionate about culinary exploration and innovation. It is also a stable career path for many professionals, as it is still part of the food and beverage industry that will continue to be profitable in the years to come. This can be an outlet for those who want to express their creativity through food or connect to people by telling them the stories of these gourmet food items.

Innovation and tradition come together in the specialty foods industry. It is important that professionals know their products by heart, and those in charge of creating the products are telling stories and providing joy to people through specialty food items.

What are the Opportunities in Specialty Foods?

The global specialty foods market experienced a growth from $159.01B in 2021 to $167.46B in 2022, and has a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. Sales of specialty foods and beverages across all retail and food service channels also neared $194B in 2022, up 9.3 percent over 2021, and are expected to reach $207 billion by year’s end. These numbers represent the huge market in the specialty foods market.

People continue to look for new foods to eat or items to add to their grocery carts. While inflation and the recent global pandemic affected the industry, it is slowly stabilizing and is expected to stabilize in the near future. More companies, big and small, are looking for professionals who can develop new products and introduce them to the public. Sustainability practices also continue to rise, giving more opportunities for professionals to innovate in the field.

What is the Salary for Working in Specialty Foods?

Salaries in the specialty foods industry vary widely based on position, level of expertise, geographic location, and the size and nature of the company. Product development specialists in the food and beverage industry can expect an average salary of $48,759 per year, which can go up to $55,364 depending on bonuses, position, and other compensation. On the other hand, the base pay for quality control inspectors or quality assurance specialists starts at $28,820 and can go as high as $62,970, making the average pay $38,580 annually as of May 2021.

Salary expectations for sales representatives highly depend on their sales commissions or the percentage they earn per unit or product sold. On average, the annual salary is $61,600, which can go as low as $30,620 but as high as $125,750. This is separate from the salary expectations for sales reps in wholesale and manufacturing, which had an average of $94,840 in 2021.

The salaries of marketing managers also depend on their field. In the specialty foods industry, the average salary is $92,315 per year, with an estimated base pay of $72,052. Additional compensation could include bonuses, stock, commissions, profit sharing, or tips.

Finally, buyers and purchasing agents earn an average of $63,470 per year. Base pay usually starts at $38,430 and can go as high as $111,200. For purchasing managers, an average annual salary of $127,150 can be expected,  with the base pay starting at $77,310 and those in more executive positions earning as much as $206,540.

Is there a Future in Specialty Foods?

There are many factors that will affect the future of the specialty foods industry. Aside from the basic level of demand, the market or consumers also affect the trends in the field. For example, more and more millennials are preferring at-home and healthy meals, coupled with a growing interest in having nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle. Specialty Foods Association (SFA) notes that millennials are twice as likely to plan at-home meals, which means they are also likely to buy specialty foods and products.

Another major factor is governmental regulations to push sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Ethical sourcing, reduced waste, and recyclable packaging are some of the things more buyers are looking at when they read labels.

The future of specialty foods will be highly affected by what consumers need to see. It is not enough to introduce new culinary experiences, but it must also be paired with sustainable practices. Keeping up with these trends will ensure a stable career for professionals in the field.

A Delectable Career Choice

The specialty foods industry is responsible for providing diverse culinary options and experiences for consumers. While they typically come with a premium price tag, people still seek out these food items. There are many professionals responsible for putting these items from farms and factories on people’s plates, making it a stable career path for those willing to do the work.

From sourcing to developing and selling, many jobs are needed within the specialty foods industry. Passion paired with experience and hard work makes up for a flexible career with great compensation opportunities. And with the industry’s upward trajectory and consumer enthusiasm for specialty foods, the future holds exciting prospects for professionals who wish to be at the forefront of culinary innovation, creativity, and quality.