Is a Job in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry Right for me?
Key Takeaways:
When business school graduates consider their future careers, there are a number of industries that stand out. While consulting, finance, and tech are typically the most popular, consumer packaged goods ranks as one of the most popular destinations for MBA graduates each year—and for good reason.
A consumer packaged goods career offers the chance to work with iconic brands, shape the direction and delivery of products that reach millions of households worldwide, and directly influence the behavior of consumers.
For those seeking a career that combines creativity, strategy, and impact, consumer goods is a dynamic and rewarding path to consider. While if you hold operational expertise this could also be an avenue to harness your skills.
Plus, there are a range of top consumer packaged goods (and fast moving consumer goods companies) that offer lucrative employment opportunities for highly skilled professionals.
So how do you know if a consumer packaged goods career is right for you? And what skills do you need to make it happen? We broke it down below.
Why Work in Consumer Goods? (FMCG or CPG)
A career in consumer packaged goods (CPG) can involve working across product development, logistics and transportation, or the sales and marketing of everyday products.
Business professionals in this space may find themselves managing a brand’s identity, launching new products, optimizing supply chains, or shaping corporate strategy.
What makes the industry particularly exciting is its fast-paced, competitive, and ever-evolving nature. This is true whether you’re working on the latest cosmetics or electrical appliances, or within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sub sector of the industry that focuses on everyday use goods ranging from toothpaste to milk.
The opportunity to work with well-known brands such as Coca Cola, gain international experience at large multinationals like Nestlé, and refine your skill set with opportunities across multiple business functions makes consumer packaged goods a rewarding path for ambitious professionals.
According to Julia Vanderpool, senior career counselor at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: “The FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) space is a fast-moving, innovative industry with a wide range of roles, from product management, marketing, sales, supply chain operations, to corporate strategy and finances.”
She adds that because most FMCG companies are large multinationals, the chance to work in international teams—or even relocate abroad—adds to the appeal for many MBA students.
What CPG Jobs are Available?
The consumer goods industry offers a wide range of opportunities for business professionals, each touching on different ways products are created, marketed, and delivered.
As Sourav Chatterjee, finance business partner at multinational sports retailer Decathlon, notes: “The consumer goods sector is a great choice for someone who would like a career around physical products and direct consumer and business impact.”
Some of the in-demand roles he points out include account managers, supply chain managers, marketplace managers, brand managers, demand planners and analysts, growth managers, project management roles, and data analyst positions.
Each of these roles plays a critical part in ensuring products reach consumers efficiently, support brand growth, and drive business success.
Product Management: This requires overseeing the development and launch of new products. Product managers bridge the gap between consumer needs, market trends, and business strategy.
Brand Management: Focused on building and maintaining a brand’s identity, brand managers drive campaigns, shape consumer perceptions, and ensure long-term brand loyalty.
Supply Chain Management: From sourcing raw materials to ensuring products reach store shelves, supply chain professionals are critical to efficiency, cost control, and sustainability.
Sales and Marketing: These roles involve developing go-to-market strategies, managing retail partnerships, and ensuring products stand out in highly competitive markets.
Corporate Strategy and Finance: Professionals in these areas work on long-term growth planning, acquisitions, pricing strategies, and financial management to keep companies competitive.
Sustainability: As Julia points out, there are many CPG career options in terms of sustainability. “Sustainability has evolved into a core strategic priority, and these roles are gaining in importance. Pressure is building from consumers seeking brands that align with their values, but also from governments,” she explains.
Together, these roles showcase the different types of CPG career paths you can take, providing both strategic impact and the chance to shape products and experiences that reach millions of customers worldwide.
What are the Pros and Cons of a CPG Career?
When it comes to CPG and FMCG roles, the wide range of opportunities makes it feel like there’s something for everyone, but, as with any industry, there are both pros and cons to consider.
Sourav explains the many advantages of a career in consumer goods, including the chance to make a visible impact through physical products and well-known brands, strong opportunities for career growth, and the ability to explore different roles within an organization.
He also notes that the fast-growing market allows for rapid career advancement. Julia adds that most large FMCG groups offer dedicated MBA trainee programs with structured career paths, global exposure through international rotations or project teams, and cross-functional experiences—excellent preparation for general management roles.
At the same time, Julia cautions that the industry can be highly competitive, with tight deadlines and ambitious sales targets. Depending on the level of commoditization, profit margins may be thin, strategic options limited, and decision-making in large groups can sometimes be slow.
Sourav also emphasizes thin margins, intense competition due to the wide range of customer choices, and the constant need to adapt to evolving consumer trends across generations.
What are the Required Skills for CPG and FMCG Careers?
Success in consumer goods requires both technical expertise and soft skills. On the technical side, Sourav highlights several essential skills, including data analysis and storytelling, as well as proficiency with SAP or other ERP software. These capabilities allow professionals to make data-driven decisions, optimize operations, and contribute to business growth.
Equally important are soft skills and strategic capabilities. As Julia explains, professionals need strong communication and active listening skills to align teams—marketing, supply chain, finance—around shared goals.
Those working in consumer goods-focused roles also benefit from a flexible and adaptable approach, centered on anticipating and responding to consumer behavior, along with the resilience to manage high sales targets, tight profit margins, and unexpected challenges such as supply chain disruptions or product recalls, Julia explains.
In short, top performers in consumer goods are those who can combine technical knowledge with strategic thinking, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills to navigate the fast-paced, constantly evolving CPG industry.
Learning Paths to Secure CPG and FMCG Careers
For business professionals looking to enter or advance in the CPG industry or targeting FMCG roles, there are multiple educational routes to build the skills and knowledge required.
Many top business schools offer MBA programs with concentrations in business operations, marketing, supply chain, or general management, often featuring internships and industry projects that involve working with or alongside consumer goods companies.
“If you started your career in an unrelated industry or function and are looking to pivot into consumer goods, a one-year general MBA is a good way to gain the skills needed to enter this industry,” advises Julia.
Core MBA modules that range from operations management to finance and accounting provide a solid foundation, while electives allow students to customize their learning in areas that are highly relevant to the industry.
If you’re looking to pursue a specalized master’s program, programs in supply chain management, operations management, brand management, marketing analytics, or international business can give professionals targeted expertise relevant to the CPG industry.
Or, for those seeking to upskill or pivot into specific areas, short courses and certifications in data analytics, digital marketing, financial modeling, project management, or sustainability are valuable. Additionally, gaining familiarity with ERP systems, AI applications, and data visualization tools through certifications can provide a competitive edge.
By strategically combining formal education, specialized training, and practical experience, aspiring CPG professionals can build a versatile and market-ready skill set, positioning themselves for success in this fast-paced and evolving industry.
Not sure where to begin your CPG career? We’ve curated a list of business operations-focused programs to help you get started through Advancery. Start your free trial to assess your strengths, get matched with the right programs, and compare options so you can take your next steps with confidence.