Career Goals in the Plant-Based Food Industry: Skills and Experience

This essay outlines career aspirations within the plant-based food industry, driven by a passion for food innovation and a belief in the future of plant-based alternatives. The author details their experience in developing and launching a successful range of oatmeal cookies and a beverage product using locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing the importance of market research and strategic planning. The essay also highlights the author's academic pursuits at Ivey Business School, where they gained valuable skills in strategic planning, branding, and market analysis through various group projects and a Capstone project. Furthermore, the author discusses their involvement with Social Cause, an NGO focused on women empowerment and education, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility. The author expresses a strong desire to contribute to a plant-based portfolio, leveraging their multidisciplinary skills and experience in the foodservice industry.

That I am a foodie is an open secret. I truly enjoy working with food, which is one of the reasons
I would be honored to work for “…………….” The other being the fact that I am going to be
working on a plant-based portfolio which I strongly believe is the future of the food production
industry. Presently, 58% of the population is moving towards healthy, organic and plant-sourced
alternatives. This in part, is due to the increasing health risks associated with meat and meat by-
products. A peek in the food industry reveals myriad opportunities. This can be attested by the
experience I had about a year ago when I leveraged my culinary skills and created a new range
of oatmeal cookies and a beverage product. Beforehand, we had conducted a market research
in conjunction with my team, whereby we realized that consumers are choosing healthier
options. With that in mind, we designed the cookies and a drink-mix with locally available millet
and oats and sweetened it with natural sugars. Needless to say, the market received the
product-mix with zest.
My team and I were able to conceptualize, create, test and launch this brand into the market.
Our products are currently being sold and are commanding a loyal customer base. This would
not have been possible without innovation and the strategic plan conceived to have these
products on the supermarket shelves. This wonderful experience has helped me to narrow
down to what exactly I aspire in the food business - which was innovating and having a unique
brand in the market. A business degree would certainly help me to fulfill my passion.
Looking back, this was the reason I decided to pursue my masters in management from Ivey
Business School. This has boosted my business acumen profusely. In the second term alone, I
worked in more than 30 group projects which involved strategic planning, branding, and rigorous
case analysis. To put things into perspective, this afforded me great marketing exposure.
Furthermore, I was accorded leadership position for a Capstone project involving testing of new
markets. In the process, I did a very detailed market segmentation that earned me direct
internship with a leading company. I will not deny that this has boosted my negotiation skills so
much so that in the third semester, I was able to get a new client onboard for a new brand
consulting project in a food production company where my team and I are breathless to take this
to the next level.
Aside from my daily work, I undertook collegial responsibilities at Social Cause - an NGO with
deep community ties. I was working in the women empowerment wing where I got a wonderful
opportunity to interact with rural women and got to help them acquire some basic sanitation
facilities. Collectively, we were able to nature local talent with the help of campaigns like “NAARI
SHAKTHI” and “SHOWCH NIRMAN”. Social Cause, in collaboration with several other not-for-
profit organizations, managed to send 7 kids to school. I feel everyone has a right to education
and it was a resounding satisfaction and achievement to see the kids attend school.
My interest in this opportunity in part owes to the fact that I will be able to follow through with my
passion particularly working with people and helping where I can. I know that I will be a great
asset to your team given my rich multidisciplinary skills and the rewarding experience in the
foodservice industry. I look forward to discussing this exciting opportunity with you. Many thanks
in advance.