Many food manufacturers struggle to hire for the following reasons:
- Aging workforce: Experienced workers are retiring, creating gaps in skilled labor.
- Workforce migration: Many workers move to other industries with better wages, working conditions, or career options.
- Skills mismatch: Technological advancements and changing industry practices require workers with specialized knowledge and skills.
- Evolving work-life structure expectations: Many food manufacturing roles involve shift work and physical labor with limited flexibility.
- Global events: Economic recessions, pandemics, and natural disasters can disrupt supply chains, affect workforce mobility, and create job market uncertainty, impacting labor availability.
- Misconceptions: Individuals might misunderstand the nature of work in food manufacturing.
- Limited awareness: Many people are unaware of food manufacturing career opportunities.
Food Manufacturing Workforce Challenges and Trends
Food Industry Executive posted LinkedIn polls from July to September 2024 to gain insight into workforce challenges and trends. The responses showed difficulty attracting and retaining talent:
Top hiring challenges
Food industry respondents indicated these top hiring challenges:
- 47% reported a lack of qualified candidates
- 40% required increased overtime due to staffing shortages
- 36% experienced reduced production capacity
- 24% could not meet compensation demands
Talent shortage
Many food industry employers are handling the talent shortage by prioritizing employee retention:
- 36% of respondents offer training and development programs
- 29% are increasing wages and benefits
- 29% are improving workplace culture
Creating a positive work culture
Food companies are taking steps to develop a positive, inclusive workplace culture:
- 50% of respondents focus on cross-functional teams
- 45% publicly recognize employee achievements
- 24% schedule all-hands meetings
Ensuring safety
Many food companies focus on maintaining a safe, compliant workplace:
- 36% of respondents prioritize safety-focused leadership teams
- 28% hold regular safety training
- 26% maintain open communication
Strategies for Hiring Food Manufacturing Workers
These strategies help food manufacturers hire qualified talent:
- Collaborate with educational institutions: Develop partnerships with vocational schools, technical institutes, and community colleges to create customized courses, certificate programs, and apprenticeships.
- Implement targeted recruitment strategies: Participate in job fairs and industry events, post job openings online, and work with a food manufacturing staffing agency.
- Encourage employee referrals: Incentivize employees who refer successful hires.
- Offer flexibility: Flexible schedules and compressed workweeks support work-life structure.
- Highlight company culture: Use social media to showcase employee success stories, testimonials, photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the work environment.
- Emphasize compensation and career opportunities: Include competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and training programs.
- Promote workplace safety and hygiene: Emphasize strict adherence to safety protocols, cleanliness standards, and quality control measures.
- Provide recognition and rewards: Acknowledge and incentivize employee contributions and results.
Hire with Impact Staffing
Let Impact Staffing get to work helping your food manufacturing company hire and retain experienced workers. Connect with us today.
