In this industry, there is constant need for fresh and exciting ideas for those seeking rewards & opportunities, says Amrinder Singh
If you’re looking for exciting and dynamic work experience, then a career in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector is just apt for you. Most FMCG giants come up with fresher programmes for graduates and MBA recruits.
Through these programmes, candidates get trained right from leadership to managerial roles. They are exposed to all kind of responsibilities including marketing and sales, supply chain management and finance and accounting that give them an overview of the fast growing industry.
Due to the intense competition along with incessant growth in the sector, it requires good human resource year on year. The products in this industry are highly perishable goods, smaller household and fashion items and personal hygiene products.
An MBA degree is the minimum qualification needed to be a part of this industry for leading the roles in junior management, brand marketing or finance parts. The sector offers plentiful opportunities to those seeking rewarding and growing job opportunities. In this industry, there is a constant need for fresh and exciting ideas relating to product packaging, advertising, marketing and communications.
The various opportunities in this field are:
Retail buyers: They are mostly involved in stock selection. For this role, it’s imperative to know your store’s customer, their tastes and the most sold product in the store. Knowledge of trends and fashion are needed to stay ahead.
Marketing managers: Their responsibility is to research, plan and implement all aspects of marketing goals so that their company can stay relevant and improve with the changing times. Another most important goal is increasing the sales and market share. They are also required to be abreast with consumer trends and demographics besides thinking out-of-the-box campaigns and marketing strategies.
Supply and distribution chain managers: They are behind planning and organising all aspects of supplying the right products to the right store at the right time. They also manage the orders and receipt of products from the supplier, the storage of goods and the delivery of goods to the retail outlet.
Finance managers: They need to have a cost accounting qualification alongside their work. Many graduates in this function take an MBA to accelerate their career progression and differentiate themselves (or to move into a different function). In early days, work involves producing management accounts in time for reporting cycles. With seniority the role transitions in to cost saving and change management projects to improve overall profitability of the organisation.
Retail managers: Their duty is to plan and coordinate the retail outlets. They overlook the overall responsibility for ensuring the quality of customer service, the appropriateness of choices of inventory and managing the finances. Their duty changes according to the size of the retail store. Sometimes, they take direct control of all aspects of supply chain management, retail supply management and stock selection.