Behind every bag of kibble and can of food lies a dynamic and growing workforce, as evidenced by the nearly 1.2 million global jobs fueling the booming pet food industry.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the US pet food manufacturing sector employed approximately 45,200 workers, reflecting a 3.2% year-over-year growth
- Globally, the pet food industry workforce reached 1.2 million in 2022, driven by rising pet ownership
- Employment in pet food production in Europe grew by 4.1% from 2021 to 2023, totaling 180,000 jobs
- In 2023, 52% of pet food industry workers in the US were male, down from 58% in 2018
- Women comprised 48% of the pet food manufacturing workforce in Europe in 2022
- Average age of pet food workers in the US was 42.3 years in 2023
- 65% of pet food production hires in the US from 2020-2023 were Gen Z or Millennials
- Online job boards accounted for 42% of pet food industry hires in 2023 globally
- Average time-to-hire for pet food manufacturing roles was 38 days in US 2023
- US pet food industry turnover rate was 18.5% in 2023, below manufacturing average of 22%
- Voluntary turnover in European pet food sector dropped to 12% in 2023 from 15% in 2021
- 28% of pet food workers cited work-life balance as top retention factor in 2023 survey
- 75% of US pet food workers received annual training averaging 40 hours in 2023
- Average salary for pet food production supervisors in US was $68,500 in 2023
- 62% of European pet food companies offered health benefits covering 90% of premiums in 2023
The pet food industry is growing and diversifying its global workforce.
Demographics and Diversity
- In 2023, 52% of pet food industry workers in the US were male, down from 58% in 2018
- Women comprised 48% of the pet food manufacturing workforce in Europe in 2022
- Average age of pet food workers in the US was 42.3 years in 2023
- 22% of US pet food employees were Hispanic or Latino in 2022
- In Canada, 15% of pet food industry staff identified as Indigenous in 2023
- Black or African American workers made up 12% of the US pet food sector in 2023
- 35% of pet food managers in Europe held university degrees in 2022
- In Brazil, 28% of pet food workers were under 30 years old in 2023
- Asian employees represented 6% of the US pet food workforce in 2022
- 18% of UK pet food staff had disabilities in 2023
- 14% of US pet food workers over 55 in 2023, indicating aging workforce
- In Brazil, 40% of pet food staff were female in managerial roles 2023
- Average education level: 45% high school, 35% associate's in US pet food 2023
- Veterans comprised 7% of pet food hires in Canada 2023
- LGBTQ+ representation at 5.2% in UK pet food industry 2023 survey
- 62% white/Caucasian in US pet food workforce 2023
- Multi-generational workforce: 25% Baby Boomers in Europe pet food 2022
- 19% immigrant workers in Australian pet food sector 2023
Demographics and Diversity Interpretation
The pet food industry's workforce is no longer just a man's world, but a global and graying mosaic where women are clawing up the corporate ladder, diversity is on the leash, and the experience of Baby Boomers is being gently mixed with the enthusiasm of a new generation, all proving that who makes the food is becoming as varied as the pets who eat it.
Employment Numbers and Growth
- In 2023, the US pet food manufacturing sector employed approximately 45,200 workers, reflecting a 3.2% year-over-year growth
- Globally, the pet food industry workforce reached 1.2 million in 2022, driven by rising pet ownership
- Employment in pet food production in Europe grew by 4.1% from 2021 to 2023, totaling 180,000 jobs
- The pet food sector in Canada had 12,500 full-time employees in 2023, up 2.8% from prior year
- In Brazil, pet food industry jobs increased to 65,000 in 2022, a 5.5% rise due to export growth
- US pet food manufacturing added 1,800 jobs in 2023, primarily in packaging roles
- Asia-Pacific pet food workforce expanded by 7% to 450,000 employees in 2023
- UK pet food industry employed 28,000 people in 2022, with 2% growth projected for 2024
- Mexico's pet food sector jobs hit 35,000 in 2023, up 4.3%
- Australia pet food manufacturing had 8,200 workers in 2023, growing 1.9% annually
- 58% of pet food industry jobs in US projected to grow 6% by 2032
- India pet food workforce doubled to 50,000 from 2018-2023
- France pet food employment stable at 22,000 in 2023 amid consolidation
- Germany added 3,500 pet food jobs in 2023, focus on R&D
- China pet food sector employed 300,000 in 2023, up 8%
- South Korea pet food jobs grew 4.5% to 15,000 in 2023
Employment Numbers and Growth Interpretation
The world's obsession with spoiling our pets has created a global job market so robust that nearly 1.2 million people are now professionally dedicated to ensuring Fido’s dinner is more thoughtfully prepared than our own.
Recruitment Practices
- 65% of pet food production hires in the US from 2020-2023 were Gen Z or Millennials
- Online job boards accounted for 42% of pet food industry hires in 2023 globally
- Average time-to-hire for pet food manufacturing roles was 38 days in US 2023
- 55% of pet food companies used AI in recruitment screening in 2023
- Referral programs generated 29% of new hires in European pet food firms in 2022
- Cost per hire in pet food sector averaged $4,200 in US 2023
- 47% of pet food job postings emphasized sustainability skills in 2023
- University partnerships filled 22% of technical roles in pet food industry 2022-2023
- Social media sourced 35% of entry-level pet food hires in Brazil 2023
- 61% of pet food firms reported recruitment challenges due to skills gaps in 2023
- Internal promotions filled 38% of pet food vacancies in US 2023
- 70% of pet food recruiters used video interviews in 2023
- Diversity hiring goals met by 55% of global pet food firms 2023
- Gig economy workers: 12% of pet food seasonal hires in 2023 US
- Employer branding boosted applications by 25% for pet food jobs 2023
- 44% pet food hires via LinkedIn in Europe 2023
- Skills assessments used in 67% of technical pet food recruitments 2023
- Remote recruitment cut costs 20% for Brazil pet food companies 2023
- 53% of pet food job offers included relocation assistance 2023 US
- Employee referral bonuses averaged $1,500 in pet food sector 2023
Recruitment Practices Interpretation
The next generation of pet food workers can't resist job boards, but AI now screens their resumes while sustainability skills have become the new must-have for feeding Fido.
Retention and Turnover
- US pet food industry turnover rate was 18.5% in 2023, below manufacturing average of 22%
- Voluntary turnover in European pet food sector dropped to 12% in 2023 from 15% in 2021
- 28% of pet food workers cited work-life balance as top retention factor in 2023 survey
- Average tenure for pet food production staff in US was 4.2 years in 2023
- Retention rate improved to 85% in Canadian pet food firms post-2022 wellness programs
- High turnover in pet food sales roles at 25% annually in Brazil 2023
- 41% of pet food employees planned to stay 5+ years if offered flexible hours, 2023 study
- Involuntary turnover in UK pet food was 8% in 2023, linked to automation
- Pet food industry exit interviews showed 33% left for better pay in 2023 US data
- Retention bonuses reduced turnover by 15% in Asia-Pacific pet food plants 2022-2023
- 52% of pet food firms saw turnover decrease after DEI initiatives in 2023
- Mexico pet food turnover averaged 20% in 2023, highest in quality control roles
- Australia pet food retention hit 88% with mentorship programs in 2023
- Pet food turnover cost firms $15,000 per employee in US 2023
- 36% attrition from lack of career growth in pet food 2023 global survey
- Engagement scores averaged 72/100 in pet food firms 2023
- Flexible scheduling retained 27% more staff in UK pet food 2023
- 22% turnover reduction via recognition programs in Canada pet food
- Burnout cited by 29% leaving pet food production roles 2023
- Succession planning lowered exec turnover to 9% in Europe pet food 2023
- 45% of turnover in sales due to competition in Brazil 2023
- Australia pet food offboarding surveys improved retention 14% 2023
- Peer mentoring cut early turnover 18% in US pet food new hires 2023
Retention and Turnover Interpretation
While the pet food industry's overall turnover is slightly less rancid than the general manufacturing sector's, it's clear that keeping good employees isn't about luck but about offering them more than just kibble—namely, work-life balance, flexibility, and a path forward, or they'll simply take their talents to a less beastly workplace.
Training Compensation and Benefits
- 75% of US pet food workers received annual training averaging 40 hours in 2023
- Average salary for pet food production supervisors in US was $68,500 in 2023
- 62% of European pet food companies offered health benefits covering 90% of premiums in 2023
- Training spend per employee in pet food industry reached $1,200 annually in Canada 2023
- Brazil pet food workers averaged 25 hours of safety training yearly in 2023
- 401(k) match averaged 4.5% in US pet food firms for 2023
- UK pet food sector provided 55% remote training options post-pandemic 2023
- Bonus payouts in pet food sales roles averaged 12% of base salary in 2023 US
- 48% of pet food employees accessed mental health benefits in 2023 survey
- Leadership development programs trained 30% of pet food managers in Europe 2023
- Average pet food worker compensation package totaled $52,000 in Mexico 2023
- Australia pet food firms offered 20 days paid vacation on average in 2023
- Pet food firms spent 2.5% of payroll on training in US 2023
- 80% of pet food staff received digital skills training in 2023 Europe
- Average bonus 8.2% of salary for pet food production in Canada 2023
- Pension coverage at 92% in UK pet food industry 2023
- 35 hours safety training mandatory for Brazil pet food workers 2023
- Equity grants to 15% of pet food execs in US 2023
- Wellness stipends averaged $800/year in pet food firms 2023
- 68% pet food companies upskilled for automation in 2023 global
- Mexico pet food average wage $18,000 USD equivalent 2023
- 25 days annual leave standard in Australia pet food 2023
Training Compensation and Benefits Interpretation
The pet food industry is clearly investing heavily in its human capital, proving that while our four-legged friends are the ultimate customers, a well-trained, well-compensated, and safely-equipped workforce is the real secret ingredient keeping the kibble flowing and the tails wagging.
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