Job market information
Finding out about dairy
The dairy industry is part of the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector, represented by Improve Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: bakery; animal feed; beer; confectionery; fish; meat; and soft drinks. The sector as a whole currently employs 460,000 people in more than 11,100 workplaces and 15,800 retail baker, butcher and fishmonger outlets. 24% of the workforce is employed in the bakery industry and 21% in meat industry. At a regional level, 14% of the workforce is located in the North East, 13% in Yorkshire and Humberside, plus 13% in the East Midlands.
The UK dairy industry employs more than 23,800 across 600 workplaces nationwide. It includes the operation of dairies and the manufacture of dairy products, such as ice‐cream. There are many well‐known companies, such as Yeo Valley Farms, Danone, Dairy Crest Ltd., Unilever ice‐cream and Wensleydale Dairy Products.
Key facts:
- There are 23,800 people working in the dairy industry, of which:
- 87% of the workforce is in the operation of dairies and cheese
- 14% in the manufacture of ice‐cream
- The industry represents 6% of those employed in Great Britain’s food and drink manufacturing sector.
- 36% of the workforce is 45 years or older.
- 45% of the current workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next 20 years.
- 13% of the workforce has a degree or equivalent qualification.
- The highest qualification for much of the workforce is GCSE grades A‐C (20%) or A Levels (13%).
- 19% of the workforce has no qualifications.
Jobs in the industry range from: quality assurance manager, logistics manager, line leader, bottlers, packers, trainee dairy technologist.
Entry and progression
Entry to the industry can be through academic qualifications, training schemes or direct entry via employment. There is a range of industry endorsed courses (at foundation and undergraduate level), apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, training schemes and Diplomas available. Previous relevant work experience can be an advantage for those wishing to enter the industry.
There are two main job areas for those wishing to transfer in to the industry: operations (i.e. roles within the manufacturing and processing sectors); and, generic management (e.g. health and safety, quality, HR, change management etc.)
There are good opportunities for progression in the industry, but higher qualifications, training and experience are required. For more advanced job roles, there are specific degrees that would help with progression. For instance, whilst a degree in Food Science is not an entry requirement to get a job as a Food Scientist/Technologist, it would help with career progression.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Please note that due to the implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework, the qualifications available are subject to change significantly during 2010. For more information contact your awarding body or log onto Improve Ltd. 
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
23,800 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
600 |
|---|
| Gender: |
76% male |
24% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity: |
92% of the workforce is white, 5% Asian/British Asian and 3% Black/Black British 2,300 migrant workers (non‐UK nationals) are estimated to be working in the industry |
|---|
| Age: |
|---|
| 26% of the workforce is aged 16-30 years |
| 14% is 30-34 years |
| 15% is 35-39 years |
| 13% is 40-44 years |
| 22% is 45-49 years |
| Disability: |
7% of the workforce has some form of work limited disability. |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008 and Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Employment within the food and drink sector as a whole is forecast to decline between 2007 and 2017. Between 2000 and 2007, the dairy industry experienced a 31% decline in employment levels.
Skill requirements and shortages
There is a demand for workers who: are motivated; are team players, have the right attitude; and have good communication skills. Other skills needed for managerial roles include people management, IT skills, sales strategy, financial management and human resources skills.
The dairy industry has a higher than average number of vacancies and recruitment issues compares to other industries in the sector. There is demand for some specialist roles, as employers find it increasingly difficult to recruit these workers. Demand is high for cheese‐makers, food technologists, quality assurance roles, and engineers (the engineer’s role in this industry requires a broader base of engineering skills; mechanical, electrical, and some computing).
Occupational trends
Across the sector as a whole, recruitment issues are primarily in technical and skilled jobs, such as engineering, food scientists and technologists, quality assurance, bakers, millers, fish‐filleters and smokehouse operators.
New and emerging occupations include:
- Operational Level Jobs – Production control operations increasingly include machinery maintenance activities. Operation roles increasingly include quality monitoring and reporting tasks.
- First Line Management – Team leadership roles are now replacing supervisor roles within flat management structures.
- Environmental Control and Sustainability Roles – These roles are now being developed at junior/middle management level.
- Productivity and Improvements Roles – These are increasingly becoming important at junior/middle management levels.
- Corporate, Social Responsibility Roles – Senior management level roles are increasingly linked to environmental and sustainability agendas.
| Managers and Senior Officials |
26% |
| Professionals |
3% |
| Associate Professional and Technical |
6% |
| Administrative and Secretarial |
2% |
| Skilled Trades |
5% |
| Personal Service |
0% |
| Sales and Customer Service |
3% |
| Process, Plant and Machine Operatives |
45% |
| Elementary roles |
10% |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – The region accounts for 8% of all industry employees and 8% of all industry workplaces. The meat, other food, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
East of England – The region accounts for 3% of all industry employees and 5% of all industry workplaces. The meat, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
London – The region accounts for 5% of all industry employees and 6% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North East – The region accounts for 3% of all industry employees and 4% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North West – The region accounts for 11% of all industry employees and 14% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South East – The region accounts for 3% of all industry employees and 8% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South West – The region accounts for 24% of all industry employees and 18% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
West Midlands – The region accounts for 11% of all industry employees and 12% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The region accounts for 4% of all industry employees and 8% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
[N.B. The following data are for the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector as a whole.]
Northern Ireland – More than 18,900 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Northern Ireland, accounting for 5% of the UK sector workforce. The meat industry dominates regional employment in the sector.
Scotland – Around 49,000 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Scotland across 1,500 workplaces. The bakery and drinks industries dominate Scottish employment in the sector.
Wales – Around 23,700 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Wales across 600 workplaces. The meat and bakery industries dominate Welsh employment in the sector.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008 and Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]
Salary levels
The mean gross pay in the UK dairy industry is £426 per week, equivalent to £22,152 per year.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Improve AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
