The consumer non-durables industry covers a wide range of products that are consumed quickly and purchased regularly, such as food, beverages, clothing, shoes, toiletries, cleaning products, and more. Jobs in this industry can provide stable employment and good salaries, especially for those in high-level management, sales, and technical roles.
The Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables
In this blog post, we’ll cover some of the best paying jobs in consumer non-durables and what it takes to land these lucrative roles.
Sales Managers
Sales managers in consumer non-durables earn an average salary of $137,030 per year. They are responsible for developing sales strategies, meeting sales goals, training and motivating sales teams, and analyzing sales data. To become a sales manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in sales, marketing, or retail management. Key skills for the job include leadership, problem-solving, customer service, negotiation, and analytical abilities. Experience managing teams and knowledge of consumer goods products are also preferred by employers.
Responsibilities of Sales Managers
- Set regional or national sales strategies and develop action plans to meet objectives
- Lead, train, and motivate sales representatives and teams
- Track sales data, analyze trends, and adjust strategies as needed
- Develop sales and marketing collateral to promote products to buyers
- Build relationships with distributors, retailers, and other key accounts
- Negotiate contracts and close deals to maximize profits
Marketing Managers
Marketing managers in consumer non-durables have an average salary of $142,170 annually. Their job duties include conducting market research, developing marketing campaigns, analyzing data, managing teams, collaborating with other departments, and tracking ROI. Typically a bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in marketing, communications, or product management are required. Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and organizational skills are essential. Experience with digital marketing and consumer products are valued by employers.
Day-to-Day Duties of Marketing Managers
- Lead market research efforts to identify customer insights and trends
- Create integrated marketing campaigns across various channels
- Oversee production of marketing materials and assets
- Manage media planning and paid advertising budgets
- Track campaign results and optimize based on data and metrics
- Collaborate with sales teams to meet revenue goals
- Stay up-to-date on industry news, competitors, and emerging technologies
- Manage teams of marketing coordinators, specialists, and agencies
Operations Managers
Operations managers in consumer non-durables have an average salary of $115,260 per year. They oversee the daily operations at manufacturing plants and distribution centers to ensure efficient workflows and production. A bachelor’s degree in operations, supply chain, or business is preferred along with experience managing teams in a manufacturing environment. Strong technical aptitude, project management, and leadership skills are essential qualities as well.
Operations Manager Responsibilities
- Improve production processes and institute quality control protocols
- Order machinery, equipment, and inventory as needed
- Implement safety and sustainability initiatives
- Lead quality testing procedures and manage recalls if necessary
- Oversee maintenance of equipment and resolve issues
- Optimize warehouse layouts and logistics procedures
- Analyze operational data to identify areas for improvement
- Manage teams of machine operators, warehouse staff, and other laborers
Supply Chain Managers
Supply chain managers earn $120,430 on average per year. Their main role is to oversee the flow of goods from suppliers to consumers, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Most have a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, or engineering as well as 5+ years of logistics experience. Strong data analysis, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills are essential. Knowledge of inventory management software and consumer goods distribution is valued.
Typical Supply Chain Manager Responsibilities
- Forecast demand and coordinate with suppliers
- Negotiate contracts with vendors and transportation partners
- Map supply chains and develop contingency plans
- Monitor inventory levels and logistics costs
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks or issues
- Implement supply chain management software and systems
- Collaborate cross-functionally to meet business objectives
- Analyze supply chain data to find opportunities for optimization
Brand Managers
Brand managers have an average salary of $113,970 annually. Their role involves developing marketing strategies for an organization’s products and services. Brand managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or business. Even at entry-level, brand managers should possess excellent communication, project management, creativity, and analytical thinking skills. Experience with consumer products and digital marketing is also valued in candidates.
What Brand Managers Do:
- Craft positioning strategies and brand guidelines
- Lead market research and analysis on brand performance
- Develop advertising campaigns and marketing content
- Create and manage product packaging designs
- Monitor metrics like brand awareness, perception, and engagement
- Manage agencies, designers, and other vendors
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on new product launches
- Stay updated on industry and competitor brand strategies
- Make recommendations on brand portfolio and growth opportunities
Product Development Managers
Product development managers have an average salary of $115,430 per year. Their primary role is leading teams that ideate, design, and develop new consumer products and services. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in engineering or business and 5+ years of consumer product development experience. Strong project management, communication, and analytical thinking skills are essential. Technical knowledge in manufacturing processes is also beneficial.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Lead structured product development processes
- Conduct market research and analysis on product opportunities
- Define product requirements, specifications, and user experience
- Develop project plans and lead cross-functional teams
- Oversee prototype creation, testing, and refinement
- Facilitate focus groups and user testing
- Manage product launches and life cycle management
- Monitor product adoption metrics and user feedback
- Stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and innovations
Customer Insights Managers
Customer insights managers utilize data to identify customer needs and market opportunities. Their average salary is $102,930 per year. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in marketing, analytics, or business. Strong analytical skills and experience with data tools are highly valued. Communication, presentation, and critical thinking skills are essential as well.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Lead customer research initiatives using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and more
- Analyze customer data to identify behavioral insights
- Utilize analytics tools and techniques to derive strategic recommendations
- Share customer findings and make recommendations to stakeholders
- Collaborate with teams to implement data-driven changes to products, services, and campaigns
- Design dashboards and reports to showcase key customer metrics
- Combine qualitative and quantitative data for maximum insights
- Keep updated on analytics best practices and industry trends
- Identify opportunities for improvement in data practices and methodologies
In summary, there is strong demand for skilled professionals across many functions in the consumer non-durables industry. Sales, marketing, operations, supply chain, brand management, product development, and analytics roles offer high earning potential, especially for those with management experience. If you’re interested in a challenging and lucrative career in consumer goods, focus on building a strong educational background and developing the right skillset. With the right credentials and experience, you can find rewarding work and earn a strong salary.
Learn More