The Truth About Climbing the Career Ladder in Food Retail: Lessons from Cam Rigg Rigg

Join us on Oh for Food’s Sake this week as Amy welcomes Cameron Rigg, the Lead Product Developer at Tesco and Co-founder of Flourish in Food Mentoring.  We start with Cameron reminiscing about his early love for food and nutrition, ignited by his grandmother's baking and a remarkably supportive food technology teacher. Cameron walks us through his career trajectory, from a placement year at Pizza Hut, a significant stint at Co-op where he transitioned from development to buying, and finally his current role at Tesco.  He opens up about his challenges, like the difficult decision to move back north and the hurdles of taking on a buying role during economically tumultuous times. A key highlight of the episode is Cameron sharing how he balances his professional life while managing a substantial commute. He emphasises the importance of time management, setting boundaries, and prioritising personal well-being, offering actionable tips for anyone feeling the strain of their work schedule. Cameron also elaborates on the origins and objectives of the Flourish in Food Mentoring scheme. Born out of a desire to support students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Flourish is an initiative that pairs industry professionals with mentees, helping to nurture the next generation of food industry talent.. Cameron also gives us his perspective on the evolving work culture of Gen Z and Alphas, who are changing the game with their fresh take on work-life balance Whether you’re looking to grow your own career, give back through mentoring, or just hear an inspiring story about thriving in the food retail industry, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice. Timestamps  0:00 – Introduction, Lucy’s Absence, and Welcoming Cameron Rigg  2:46 – Cameron’s Early Interest in Food and Influential Mentorship  5:40 – Sheffield Hallam University Experience and Placement at Pizza Hut  10:26 – Transition to Co-op and Career Growth  15:50 – The Move to Buying During Economic Challenges  18:50 – Returning to Development at Tesco  20:26 – Balancing a Challenging Commute & Work-Life Balance  25:00 – Flourish in Food Mentoring Scheme: Origins and Impact  30:50 – Generational Differences in Work Approaches  39:07 – Responsibility and Rewards of Working in Food Retail  45:02 – Effective Time Management and Avoiding Burnout  52:10 – Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks 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/  See you next time!