Is Consumer Non-Durables a Good Career Path?

Before food, cosmetics, and other consumer non-durables hit the stores, they need to be manufactured first. Professionals in the consumer non-durables industry are the bridge between product manufacturing and distribution before they arrive at different retailers for consumers to purchase. So, is consumer non-durables a good career path?

For those interested in the manufacturing and distribution of various consumer goods, you may love this career path for its many opportunities to choose from and potential for advancement.

career in nondurables

What Are Non-Durable Goods Exactly?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines non-durable goods as products that have a life expectancy of three years or fewer. Think of the canned goods you grab from your pantry to pair with dinner or the magazine you throw in your cart at the last minute when checking out at the supermarket. These are a couple of examples of non-durable goods.

Other consumer non-durable goods include:

  • Groceries
  • Tobacco
  • Newspapers
  • Makeup and other cosmetics
  • Textiles
  • Books
  • Flowers
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Paper products
  • Petroleum

What Is the Difference Between Durable and Non-Durable Goods?

Durable goods are merchandise and items that can last longer than three years. Think of the vehicle you drive. This is considered a durable good. The National Highway Traffic Safety Commission states that some cars can last for up to 20 years.

Such product examples are:

  • Sporting goods.
  • Construction materials.
  • Technical parts.
  • Recyclable materials.

Non-durable goods, as described above, last a shorter time frame than durable goods with about a maximum of three years’ life expectancy. Hence, the difference between durable and non-durable goods depends on how long they are expected to last.

Overview of the Consumer Non-Durables Industry

The non-durables industry is a part of the wholesale trade sector which are essential goods that consumers use regularly. Various businesses sell said consumer goods to different retailers where the consumers purchase them to use.

For example, General Mills sells cereals, snacks, and spreads for humans as well as the dog food brand, Blue Buffalo. They are manufactured at local plants and then distributed to retail grocery stores such as Walmart, Target, Costco, BJ’s, and many others. Consumers purchase the non-durable goods from these retailers and earnings are sent back to the business.

As of 2020, the consumer non-durable goods industry is worth $4.25 trillion. Non-durable goods comprise 46% of the wholesale trade sector. This explains its high market value and sales in recent years.

Top Paying Jobs in the Consumer Non-Durables Industry

Take a look at the highest-paying jobs in the consumer non-durables market to get an idea of the money-making potential for this industry.

Network Engineer

Network Engineers or Computer Network Architects net about $120,520 per year or $57.94 per hour. They build communication networks for these companies via Intranets, LANs, and WANs.

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst makes close to $102,600 per year and $49.33 per hour. This position tasks the person hired to enhance security for a company’s Internet.

Digital Designer

A Digital Designer clears about $77,200 per year and $37.12 per hour. Digital Designers are the ones behind creating a website for a company in the consumer non-durables industry.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing representatives make a mean annual income of $74,560 or $35.85. In this position, you will research, create, and distribute medicines and other pharmaceutical solutions.

Production Managers and Supervisors in Food Manufacturing

Those working on the first-line in food manufacturing as Production Managers or Supervisors clear about a mean hourly wage of $29.00 and $60,320. They oversee the production quota of the line workers and reassure that everything is properly made.

Examples of Companies in the Consumer Non-Durable Goods Industry

Now that you know what jobs are available in the industry, it’s time to find a profitable company to propel your career to its highest echelon. The top five companies in the consumer non-durable goods industry based on revenue are as follows:

McKesson Corporation

Revenue: $263,576 million

Industry: Health Care Services

McKesson Corporation is a well-known company that manufactures and distributes health IT items, pharmaceutical merchandise, and various medicines. The company delivers 33% of nationwide pharmaceuticals and is known as the 4th largest retail chain that sells pharmaceuticals.

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

Revenue: $221,101 million

Industry: Drug Proprietaries

AmerisourceBergen has been certified for the third time as a Great Place To Work. This stand-out pharmaceutical company makes and distributes medicines and other health-related products to its consumers.

Cardinal Health, Inc.

Revenue: $171,286 million

Industry: Drug Proprietaries

Cardinal Health, Inc. makes and distributes medicines much like AmerisourceBergen and McKesson. They service about 90% of nationwide hospitals along with over 60,000 pharmacies throughout the country.

Sysco Corporation

Revenue: $60,738 million

Industry: Groceries

Sysco Corporation distributes select food brands and types to local merchants. Choose from beverages, dairy, meat and poultry, bakery items, ethnic staples, herbs and so much more. There are also cooking and cleaning supplies available for purchase.

The company also has software to help their customers receive their products and  They serve restaurants, higher education facilities, senior living centers, government representatives, food service management, and many other industries.

Performance Food Group Company

Revenue: $38,536 million

Industry: Groceries

Performance Food Group Company started thanks to James Capers when he became a food peddler in 1885. A century and a half and 14,000 employees later, Performance Food Group Company has become what it is today. Merchants can purchase cooking equipment, cutlery, and food items for their establishment.

Some Other Notable Consumer Non-Durable Goods Companies

While the top 5 are noted above, some of the more highly popular company brand names with which you may be familiar from the consumer non-durable goods industry are listed below:

  • Adidas
  • Ben & Jerry’s
  • Coca-Cola
  • Gold Medal
  • Heinz
  • Kellogg’s
  • L’Oreal
  • Nestle
  • Nike
  • PepsiCo
  • Post Cereal

Benefits of Working In Consumer Non-Durables

As a representative of the consumer non-durables industry, you assist consumers to receive regular goods that they use regularly. Here are the benefits of working a job in this industry.

Multiple Industries

There are many industries to choose from to work in consumer non–durables. Not being limited to one industry makes the venture interesting. You can have a hand in manufacturing books, food, cosmetics, and so much more.

Allows For Travel

Depending on the needs of your company, you may have to travel around. If they need assistance at another manufacturing plant due to understaffing, you may go over to assist for a short or long period.

Job Security

Consumer non-durables mainly involve the manufacturing trade. Manufacturing jobs are always in high demand for the consumer non-durables industry because production quotas must be met for companies to make their money.

Low Barrier To Entry

Many manufacturing jobs allow you to start your profession fresh out of high school without an Associates’ or Bachelors’ degree. Of course, if you want to get into pharmaceutical manufacturing or become a Network Engineer, it may require more years of experience working in the field along with an advanced degree which you can study while working your manufacturing job.

Final Thoughts On Working in the Consumer Non-Durables Industry

Is consumer non-durables a good career path? Yes, it is! The industry allows for a highly compensable job experience that will advance you with different opportunities to transfer industries to enhance your profession.