Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, food distributors is a good career path. Food distribution is one of the most important economic and societal responsibilities that exist. Logistics and distribution are both very complex fields with lots of potential for snags and hiccups, but shortages are generally rare.
Because of the necessity of food distribution, careers in this field are going to be relevant for years. Distribution techniques are similar in different industries as well, so if you think you might want to change career paths sometime later, many of the skills acquired here translate to a different industry.
Our modern distribution system is a marvel. A lot of moving parts and people go into it working properly and moderating supply and demand to make sure that there’s enough supply to meet demand, but not so much that food goes to waste. It doesn’t always work exactly as intended, of course, but these jobs help to make it more efficient and reliable.
Here are 20 great jobs in food distribution:
10 of the Best Paying Jobs in Food Distribution
Distribution involves a lot of logistical wrangling and analyzing. Because of that, there are several jobs in the industry that require higher education and levels of experience, meaning that you can do well in the food distribution industry.
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Average Annual Salary: $87,000
Distribution managers, unsurprisingly, manage distribution. Their main duties involve overseeing the operations of a distribution system, from buying the products to shipping them to warehousing and inventorying them. They’re also responsible for enforcing company policies and hitting goals and helping with hiring and training new personnel.
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Average Annual Salary: $65,000
Someone in this position is responsible for monitoring the supply chain. Through analysis, supply chain analysts figure out the most efficient and cost-effective way to purchase, transport, and store supplies as needed.
They have to factor in demand, shelf life, potential supply or transportation issues, and cost. Most of their work is done on computers, either via analysis tools or databases.
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Average Annual Salary: $68,000
Distribution sales managers’ jobs mainly consist of sales. They work with wholesalers and retailers in order to get the goods where they need to go and get them into the hands of consumers.
They sell large quantities of items to companies rather than selling to individuals. This job requires excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and an understanding of sales contracts.
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Average Annual Salary: $53,000
As the job title implies, an inventory analyst primarily works with a company’s inventory. Duties include buying inventory as needed, making sure resources are properly allocated, and predicting expected sales.
A strong background in mathematics and statistics is necessary, as much of the analysis is done through mathematical algorithms and programs.
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Average Annual Salary: $68,000
A procurement agent’s main task is to purchase what the company needs for its daily operations, be that office supplies, equipment, products, or retail. The job isn’t as simple as that, however, as procurement agents are expected to keep abreast of pricing and inventory and get to know their suppliers.
Negotiation and communication skills are a must for this position, as you need to be able to procure goods at a good price and from the proper sellers.
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Average Annual Salary: $73,000
For this job, you’re going to spend a lot of time in a warehouse. Logistics supervisors oversee warehouse operations and personnel, tracking both shipments and deliveries.
They’re responsible for the proper loading and unloading of goods, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. As the supervisor, they’re also expected to coordinate with the suppliers and delivery companies, making sure that everything is as it should be.
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Average Annual Salary: $80,000
There are a couple of different names for this job, including refrigeration technician and refrigeration mechanic, but they all have the same basic duties. Refrigeration engineers are responsible for installing, testing, and repairing refrigeration systems.
The ability to keep food cold is essential to prevent food spoilage, so refrigeration systems need to be kept up and running. The job requires knowing refrigeration systems extremely well, being able to do physical work, and the ability to diagnose problems.
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Average Annual Salary: $63,000
Transportation analysts are experts in shipping and transportation. Their duties are to make sure that goods are being transported as safely and efficiently as possible. Statistical analysis is a cornerstone of the position, allowing them to analyze potential problems and inefficiencies, as well as different model solutions.
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Automated Logistics Specialist
Average Annual Salary: $64,000
Automated logistics specialists are responsible for operations and inventory in a warehouse setting. They make sure that supply lists and accounts are up to date. Other duties involve overseeing the loading and unloading of supplies as well as how they’re stored and the proper handling of perishable goods.
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Average Annual Salary: $108,000
This role requires a strong basis in mathematics. Demand planning managers analyze data to improve production and make forecasts. They work with vendors to estimate the level of demand and how much can be shipped or produced to meet it.
Sometimes demand planning managers will also help with developing new products and other operational duties.
All of these jobs require a college degree, and some level of experience is expected. Distribution is a complicated field, meaning that your expertise will remain valuable. If you’re looking to get started in the food distribution industry, the below list is a good place to start.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Food Distribution
Not all of the jobs enumerated here require a four-year college degree, but if you want to end up in a higher-level distribution or logistics position, it’s highly recommended. You can, however, get some experience in these jobs while you get your degree, or you can advance through experience.
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Average Annual Salary: $30,000
Distribution clerks take care of the majority of clerical duties in a warehouse. They track shipments, making sure that deliveries show up on time and are accurate. Attention to detail is essential, as they’re required to work with vendors on pricing and orders, as well as make sure that orders arrive undamaged and are what was ordered.
Paperwork is a major part of the position, as distribution clerks need to generate the proper documentation for shipments, deliveries, orders, and any problems that may arise.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
Grocery associates work in grocery stores. Their duties are varied, as they may help customers find what they’re looking for, stock shelves, run the cash register, or keep the store clean. Most people in this position do a combination of all of the above.
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Average Annual Salary: $41,000
The primary duties in this role are to assist food scientists. Food science technicians do a lot of measuring and analyzing to ensure food quality. In addition to the tests, they’re expected to generate documents and record the results of the tests, as well as prepare reports.
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Average Annual Salary: $35,000
Someone working in logistics is responsible for dealing with goods going in and out of an area, such as a warehouse. They deal with deliveries, the storage of goods, as well as inspection to make sure that what was received was correct. They are also responsible for updating the database as to inventory, cost, and other necessary information.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
Warehouse workers handle the primary operations of a warehouse. They load and unload goods, help keep inventory current, and ensure that goods aren’t expired or otherwise unfit for consumption.
Warehouse workers gather the items that are meant to be shipped out, ensure the accuracy of the shipment, then pack them, so they’ll make it to their destination undamaged.
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Average Annual Salary: $33,000
Forklifts are a piece of heavy machinery that is able to move pallets of goods from one place to another. The long prongs protrude from the front slot into wooden pallets, allowing them to be maneuvered, lifted, and set where they need to go.
Forklift operators will help with loading, unloading, and storing cargo. They’re also responsible for maintaining the machine and reporting any potential problems or safety issues with it.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
As a distribution assistant, you would work under the distribution supervisor. Distribution assistants prep items to be packaged and shipped. Their duties include managing inventory, dealing with paperwork, and making sure that safety rules and regulations are followed.
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Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Supply technicians are in charge of handling supplies. They are involved in tracking both inventory and logistics, as they handle both ongoing and outgoing products. A lot of their job involves record-keeping, as they have to track the supply, destination, or origin of shipments and the accuracy of the contents.
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Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Someone in this position helps to make sure that a company or warehouse has the raw goods that it needs. They work with vendors to get good prices and shipments when they need them.
In order to stay organized, they need to be able to keep track of the inventory level, stay on top of purchase orders, and track shipments. As this is an assistant position, you may also be required to make appointments and answer calls and inquiries.
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Average Annual Salary: $59,000
Truck drivers are one of the most important parts of the distribution network. They take goods from wholesalers to warehouses or from warehouses to retailers. Truck drivers work long, irregular hours, making it not the ideal job for anyone. But there isn’t a lot of supervision, as you spend most of your time driving.
Distribution and logistics allow for several different career paths. Many of them will land you in a warehouse, meaning that you have to have some ability to do physical labor.
Why Choose a Career in Food Distribution?
Food distribution is a huge industry with large economic and societal importance. Having enough food for all of society’s members is a large part of what keeps a country running smoothly. Though there are a couple of different paths you can take in this industry, there are some attributes that are helpful for all the jobs listed above.
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You have strong spatial awareness. Stocking and packing items require being aware of how much space it’s going to take up and how much you have to work with. It can help with inventory management and storage skills as well.
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Details are important to you. Logistics is all about details, and so is inventory. Being off by a number or two can make a huge difference in terms of inventory counts and the automated replenishment system.
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You work well as part of a team. Distribution systems are inherently team projects. You have to be able to work with logistics experts, inventory experts, and the people on the ground.
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The science of logistics interests you. Logistics is a complex, mathematical discipline. You don’t have to be a logistical expert for most of the jobs listed here; however, having an interest and basic understanding of it will be helpful for almost all of them.
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You’re number oriented. Logistics, distribution, and inventory are all about numbers. There’s a fair amount of statistical analysis that goes into the study of these subjects, as well, meaning that being good with numbers and math will help you tremendously.
Food distribution has a lot of moving parts, and there are several other careers in the industry that aren’t on this list. However, if the above list describes you, then it sounds like this career field may well be for you.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Food Distribution
Not every job listed here requires a college education, but many of them do. Besides, it’s generally true that pursuing higher education allows you to get a higher-paid job. If you’re looking to get a related degree or are wondering if the degree you have will apply to this field, then here are some suggestions.
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Logistics. Logistics is the science of getting things where you need them when you need them. This degree will help with the majority of jobs listed here. It’s also possible to get an associate’s degree in this discipline, which will be enough to get you started in several of these jobs.
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Supply Chain Management. This is sometimes considered the same as logistics or as a subdiscipline.
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Mathematics. This will help get you into a logistics position or work as an analyst.
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Statistics. This can be a focus on a math degree or its own bachelor’s. Either way, it’ll help with being an analyst and logistics.
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Agricultural Economics. This degree focused on the business of agriculture. It’s sort of adjacent to logistics, but distribution is a huge part of the business.
There are several logistics certifications you can get. While they aren’t necessary, they can make you more appealing to employers and potentially get you a pay raise. Here are a few to look at.
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Certified Logistics Associate
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Certified Supply Chain Professional
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Certification in Transportation and Logistics
Also, it’s important to note that a few of these jobs require licenses.
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Truck drivers must have the appropriate license to operate a large vehicle. This is usually a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
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For forklift operators, you don’t need a license, per se, but you need to pass OSHA-required training.
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Refrigeration engineers need to be licensed. The required experience is usually obtained through apprenticeship.
What Do People Working in Food Distribution Do?
People working in food distribution pack, ship, sort, and distribute food. They’re the ones who are responsible for getting produce from a farm to a warehouse and then to a supermarket.
This process requires a lot of logistical wrangling. Food only lasts for so long, meaning that workers in the industry must include spoilage in their calculations. They also have to take inventory and demand into account so that there aren’t shortages or gluts, the latter of which can result in food going bad before it’s sold.
Food distribution is an essential part of our economy and one that has guaranteed sales – meaning people always need food.
Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
