Food Graduate Jobs Profile
The food and drink manufacturing industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, generating an annual turnover of £104 billion. It employs around 456,000 people, making up 13% of the total UK manufacturing workforce. The industry is constantly evolving, with 10,000 new products introduced each year thanks to extensive investment in research and development.
With the total consumer expenditure on food, drink, and catering reaching £196 billion, the demand for quality, convenience, sustainability, and ethical production continues to shape the market. The functional food industry, valued at £2.54 billion, is expanding, driven by consumer interest in health, nutrition, and ethical sourcing.
Graduates entering the food industry can pursue diverse roles across production, supply chain, food science, marketing, sales, and retail. Major employers include Nestlé, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Premier Foods, and Arla.
