The year 2020 was tumultuous. Companies pumped the brakes when the pandemic hit — strategic plans, expenses, headcount, and compensation seemingly came to a halt. In 2021, job market reporting suggests that things are changing rapidly with companies getting creative through virtual onboarding and embracing remote-work life to attract high quality candidates. With hiring demand ticking up as 2021 progresses and the vaccine reopening the world, companies are evaluating different growth strategies.
ForceBrands’ 2021 Salary Report explores how food and non-alcoholic beverage companies are approaching this next phase of growth as it relates to their teams. The report offers exclusive salary data across marketing, operations, food sales, finance, and human resources.
We surveyed companies generating $10M-120M in revenue with under 500 employees. The data was compiled between May 2020 and April 2021, through the height of the pandemic.
“It’s time to start looking ahead toward the post-pandemic future now that we’re in a vaccine-empowered world. Companies are hiring again and as leaders in the people business, we thought it was important to offer salary intel that companies can lean on, particularly as market research indicates that many employers are holding back on pay increases,” said ForceBrands’ CEO and Founder Josh Wand. “It is our hope that these insights will empower people to hire strategically and thoughtfully, ultimately with the goal of building winning teams at companies that change the world.”
When it comes to determining the highest paying cities for food industry workers, a lot has shifted amid the pandemic as more workers have gone remote. Food industry salaries are no longer determined by a specific geographic location.
Still, Chicago and the Midwest region as a whole remains a hub for food CPG. Legacy companies like Mars Wrigley, Mondelēz International, and Kraft all call the Windy City home.
Not only is Chicago home to these CPG giants, it’s also a center of innovation for up-and-coming food brands. The Hatchery, a non-profit food and beverage incubator dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs build and grow successful businesses, has helped the growth of food brands that include Ingredion, Synergy Flavors, and Kellogg brand RXBAR.
From food sales salary data to food industry management salary data, our report offers insight into fair market compensation for this thriving sector.
This post was last updated on January 31, 2022
