Confectionery Industry Worker Job Description, Career as a Confectionery Industry Worker, Salary, Employment

Education and Training High school diploma

Average Salary $45,000

Job Outlook Good

Basic Job Description

Confectionery industry workers are often employed in factories and bakeries that create chocolate, gum, dessert toppings, popcorn, soda syrups, potato chips and other varieties of snack foods that are distributed to restaurants, stores, bakeries and other establishments all around the world. Factory workers in the confectionery industry are typically responsible for overseeing production through various machines and processes and creating packaging for different items. Factory workers also pack shipments to distribute to customers and prepare them to be hauled away.

Education and Training Requirements

Confectionery industry workers are typically hired in with only a high school diploma or equivalent. Working in a factory requires more on the job training that can be taught in each particular plant as opposed to a school.
Many factories have specific routine and procedures each employee must comply with, so on the job training is often required before allowing someone to work in the factory unsupervised. Many factories require a series of safety and standardized tests an employee must take in order to gain the proper knowledge and understand how to properly complete each task.

Working in factories that involve food and beverage often require specific safety and sanitation procedures that have been put in place by the Food and Drug Administration. Every factory is different, but employees working in this industry need to knowledgeable about requirements and specifics in packaging, safety sealing and properly preparing products for shipment in order to comply with FDA regulations. Many factories will have education and training courses that are required to make sure employees understand all the rules and regulations.

Getting the Job

In order to get a job working in the confectionery industry, a worker does not necessarily need previous experience, but will need to prove that they have what it takes to work in a factory. Working in a factory often involves lifting heavy materials, operating heavy machinery, standing for a long period of time, and doing work that is very routine and repetitive.

An ideal candidate for a confectionery job would also have a creative mind and an eye for detail. Confectioneries are often decorative, colorful and used to add extra flavor, decoration or detail to snack foods. Someone who is able to pitch creative suggestions and understands what the ideal customer looks for in these products is an excellent candidate for a job in this industry.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Working in a factory can lead to other opportunities including managing other employees working in the factory, working in product distribution and delivering the product to customers, or working in sales to promote products and help to drive in new customers. Factory work is often considered the bottom of the totem pole for many employees and companies, but someone who has worked in the factory and gained knowledge and experience of what the company needs can go nowhere but up if they use their experience to their advantage.

Factory work is also being affected by new emerging technologies that can be implemented into factory work and used to make jobs and products more effective. Someone who is familiar with how a factory works and what the final product is expected to be could eventually work in the information technology industry and help implement new technologies into the factory work of the confectionery industry.

The confectionery industry has no plans to slow down. Companies such as restaurants and bakeries will always need products created by these companies. Any job involving the food and beverage industry can be considered secure, as there will always be a demand for a significant supply of their products.

The confectionary industry is also working to advance their products and make them healthier, as many people want to stay away from products that are high in sugar, fat and carbohydrates. These advancements create more room for growth and job opportunities, as more people will be needed to create, package and market the healthier alternatives.

Working Conditions and Environment

Working conditions in a factory can often be unpleasant and harsh. They are also very routine and require doing the same procedure or operating the same machine for very long periods of time. Someone who works in a factory should plan on spending a lot of time on their feet, lifting heavy equipment or machinery, and being expected to fix any machinery that has glitches or is affecting the steady stream of operations.

Factory workers also work in an environment that is fast paced and can often become hot or uncomfortable due to the constant flow of machinery and production. Workers need to be able to withstand different conditions and continue to go with the work flow to keep production moving. Someone who requires frequent breaks or cannot focus on one task for a long period of time may not be fit to work a factory job.

Salary and Benefits

The average starting salary for someone working in the confectionery industry is about $45,000. This is an average salary for a factory worker, and typically involves a steady 40-50 hour workweek as well as health benefits, vacation and sick days and holiday bonuses. Each employer is different, but factory workers who work for a larger confectionery company such as Hershey’s are more likely to have a better benefit package than a worker who is employed by a small business.

Many factory workers also receive protection and insurance for working in a factory, as it does pose health or danger risks when working with machinery. Many companies will insure their employees to keep them safe and secure in case any sort of work related accident does happen.

Where to Go for More Information

National Confectioners Association
1101 30th Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 534-1440
http://www.candyusa.com

Hershey’s
(800) HERSHEY
http://www.hershey.com