A fast-moving career in consumer goods

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector can offer marketers an exciting and varied career, with plenty of opportunity for personal and professional growth. The sector is dominated by global major-players like Nestle, Procter & Gamble and Unilever, who provide the opportunity to work on a whole host of household brand names.  These large organisations are also renowned for the quality of the marketing education they provide to young professionals. 

There have been some interesting recent trends that are changing the way the sector operates, giving those with specific skillsets the opportunity to excel. The rise of ‘click and collect’ has led to a business model that is increasingly reliant on online channels for growth, which means marketers versed in online analytics have the chance to command a salary premium.  The demand for these marketers is set to grow even more over the next 12 months, as more consumer goods companies partner with tech-based companies and seek to enhance the power of data.  There is also demand in the sector for marketing talent that can commute to the home-counties head offices of many FMCG firms. 

EMR’s 2016 Salary & Market Trend Report  reveals that the levels of pay in the sector are strong. Marketers at the executive level typically take home between £25,000 and £30,000 a year, which rises to between £40,000 and £55,000 for brand managers. At the senior end of the scale, general managers take home an impressive £150,000 to £200,000.