Consumer scientist Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a consumer scientist, you would provide a key link between consumers and manufacturers. Your work would involve:

• researching the tastes, needs, aspirations and preferences of consumers
• giving advice (for example to retailers) on how to improve the quality, design, production, delivery and popularity of an item or service.

You could use your knowledge of consumer behaviour in a variety of industries. For example in food product development, you would work with a supermarket chain or manufacturer, researching and designing new dishes to attract consumers.

Other areas you could be involved with include:

• marketing – using market research to help marketing professionals develop, package, advertise and distribute a product or campaign
• quality assurance – developing tests to make sure products meet quality standards and legal requirements
• consumer advice – representing consumers' rights, using knowledge of relevant legislation
• catering – advising hotels, restaurants, schools, residential care homes or hospitals on the type of food to provide
• product and service development – advising on products ranging from household goods to public amenities
• publishing and public relations – producing information on cookery, family health and new products, or liaising with the media
• education – advising on healthy living, in schools or further and higher education
• government departments – working for bodies such as the Food Standards Agency or Trading Standards to enforce food safety and consumer protection laws.

Your main duties are likely to involve researching and writing reports, carrying out experiments (for example, developing recipes), recruiting and training panels or focus groups, and conducting interviews with consumers.

Hours

Your working hours could vary depending on the employer, but you would usually work between 36 and 40 hours a week.

Depending on the job, you could also spend time in a lab (testing new products and formulations), an office, classroom or kitchen. You may also travel to clients' sites, which may include factories, farms and caterers.

Income

• Starting salaries can be between £17,000 and £22,500 a year.
• With experience, earnings can rise to around £30,000.
• Managers may earn around £40,000 to £50,000.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

Many employers will want you to have a degree or BTEC HND in a subject such as:

• consumer studies
• consumer product management
• food and consumer management
• food science or technology
• psychology
• marketing
• statistics.

To get on to a degree you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C) and two A levels. However, you should check with course providers because alternative qualifications may also be accepted.

Some employers may prefer you to have a postgraduate qualification, for instance in behavioural psychology or consumer behaviour.

Experience in food manufacturing or market research could be an advantage or an alternative way of getting into consumer science.

Training and development

Once you are working in consumer science you will usually receive in-house training from your employer.

You could also develop your knowledge and skills by, for example:

• completing Level 3 Award, Certificate and/or Diploma for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills
• taking courses in a specialist area within consumer science
• completing a postgraduate qualification in an area such as health promotion, consumer behaviour or marketing.

Skills and knowledge

• excellent research skills
• good spoken and written communication skills
• the ability to relate to a wide range of people and issues
• presentation skills
• a creative approach, with an eye for design
• leadership skills
• the ability to analyse and interpret data
• the confidence to make decisions, and informed recommendations on consumer trends
• good problem solving skills
• IT skills.

More information

Improve Ltd
Providence House
2 Innovation Close
York
YO10 5ZF
Tel: 0845 644 0448
http://www.improve-skills.co.uk/
www.improveltd.co.uk

Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6NH
Tel: 020 7276 8000
www.foodstandards.gov.uk

Opportunities

You could work in a wide range of areas, including:

• food manufacture
• retail
• public relations and marketing agencies
• catering
• local authorities and advisory organisations
• pressure groups and research bodies
• education
• journalism.

You could move between sectors and, with experience, progress into a management post.

Jobs may be advertised in publications such as Consumer Sciences Today, on websites like NewScientist, and in the local and national press.

• NewScientist