F&B career growth—can serving food and drinks lead to a better life? Is there a real, sustainable career in the F&B industry?

For instance, you’ll see Singapore’s lively streets with food stalls and eateries bustling with activity, preparing mouth-watering meals and refreshing beverages. Behind these enticing creations are hardworking individuals dedicated to keeping the F&B industry thriving, often working tirelessly to deliver exceptional service.

Therefore, this commitment and teamwork stem from employees aligning their efforts with the company’s goals. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the F&B sector achieved an impressive total sales value of $983 million in September 2023. Meanwhile, with an 8.6% growth in August, the industry’s upward momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

As Singapore’s F&B sector grows, companies must dedicate to their employees’ F&B career growth and professional development. So, this article explores how to nurture and empower top-performing employees, ensuring they thrive alongside the booming industry.

1. Invest in professional development

Firstly, when you start seeing top-performing employees in the company or a small F&B business, guiding them through their careers would be helpful. Offering training, certifications, and mentorship helps employees improve their skills and become valuable assets to the company.

So, here are some skills they need to acquire ready for promotion as per the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) introduced by the Singapore government:

In-Demand Technical Skills:

• Business Management Skills
• Customer Experience Skills
• Green Skills
• Innovation Skills
• Digital Skills

In-Demand Critical Core Skills:

• Digital Fluency
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem-Solving
• Collaboration
• Customer Orientation

2. Cultivate a Positive Work Environment

One of the best feelings at work is being part of a positive environment that inspires employees to perform at their best. Consequently, a workplace where individuals feel valued and respected allows them to carry out their duties efficiently and effectively.

Additionally, a positive work environment for F&B career growth would be the key to identifying top performers ready for promotion and supporting those who need further development.

Here’s how you can build one:

• Form Technical Working Groups (TWGs): Create teams of top-performing employees to tackle specific tasks or achieve goals, such as improving procurement processes, ensuring food safety compliance, enhancing customer experience, and more.
• Encourage Open Communication: Maintain transparent communication channels to provide clear instructions, share updates, and gather performance feedback.

3. Implement Transparent Promotion Processes

Promotion is often a highly anticipated milestone in the workplace, especially for employees eager to advance their F&B career growth. However, fairness in promotions often becomes a concern. According to Gartner HR Research in 2021, 82% of employees reported working in environments they perceived as unfair.

Thus, implementing effective employee engagement strategies is essential to ensure fairness and provide equal opportunities.

Take these steps:

• Establish clear promotion criteria based on their overall performances, capabilities, and excellence.
• Identify the skills you want to assess whether they fall under technical expertise or critical core skills to align with the role’s requirements.
• Post job openings within the company to allow existing employees to apply and advance beyond their current roles.

4. Leverage a Streamlined Talent Acquisition Process

Lastly, tailoring a strategic talent acquisition process is an art. It involves not just finding qualified candidates, but also, ensuring they align with the company’s core values. Therefore, acquiring the right talent for open positions lays a strong foundation for long-term success.

Consider following these tips:

• Utilise trusted and credible job platforms like Bossjob.
• Include promotion opportunities beyond giving job descriptions.
• Consider employee referrals through current staff.
• Enhance your employee retention techniques.

F&B Career Growth Matters

To sum up, promoting career growth in the F&B Industry is a win-win for both employers and employees. Therefore, by prioritising professional development, creating a positive work environment, and leveraging transparent promotion strategies, you inspire top-performing employees to achieve greater heights.

Remember, a dedicated and engaged team is the backbone of any successful F&B business. Take action with Bossjob today to implement these strategies and watch your organisation.