Pivoting Your Path: Transitioning Cross-Functionally in the Food Industry

We kick off by acknowledging what so many of us feel: sometimes, your career just needs a shakeup. Lucy and Amy talk candidly about hearing from food industry professionals who want to move into different functions—especially product development—but feel unsure how to leap. Amy’s career story smashes the myth that jumping from function to function is a weakness. Quite the opposite—it brings unique perspectives and resilience that many employers are desperate to find (even if they don’t always know how to spot it). Our chat covers identifying what lights you up at work, the value of speaking with people in roles you’re interested in, and why your skills are probably far more transferable than you think. We also get honest about “the fear”—imposter syndrome, self-doubt, age (“I’m too young/too old!”), or feeling stuck at any stage.  We share tips for mapping your strengths against new job specs and building the confidence to sell those skills, even when you feel out of your depth. We also talk about the importance of leveraging your network, seeking mentors and advocates, and finding small ways to get “on the radar” for future opportunities. If you’re thinking, “it’s a risk to change roles,” we reframe that—sometimes the best talent is found off the beaten path. For those worried about skills gaps, we discuss practical ways to start bridging them (think LinkedIn Learning, shadowing colleagues, short courses, or our own MPD Fundamentals programme!) without getting lost in endless qualifications.  Above all, we emphasise that feeling bored or burnt out isn’t a life sentence: you CAN pivot your career, reignite your spark, and thrive in the food industry—whatever your starting point. Timestamps 00:12 – Introduction and purpose of the episode 01:25 – Why people want to change job functions 02:13 – Amy’s (very non-linear) career path 04:19 – Common reasons for pivoting: boredom, burnout, new life stages 07:28 – Discovering what lights you up at work 08:49 – The importance of networking and “day in the life” insight 11:54 – Negotiation skills (and the secret everyone negotiates) 13:13 – Recognising your own strengths and being brave 14:11 – Mindset: sometimes you need to “feel the fear and do it anyway” 16:24 – Overcoming internal and external barriers to changing roles 18:20 – Getting the right support: mentors, coaches, advocates 21:00 – It’s never too late (or too early!) for a career change 21:46 – Outro and listener invitation Links and Resources: Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/ FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/ You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/ For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn. Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy. Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/ See you next time!