In this episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we dive into the realities of changing job functions within the food industry. Whether you’re feeling stuck, craving new challenges, or navigating burnout, this episode offers practical support and honest conversations about why you might want to pivot—and how to make it happen. Drawing on Amy’s (definitely NOT linear!) career journey through technical, process, commercial, marketing, and coaching roles, and Lucy’s bold pivots from recruitment to launching her own food startup, we unpack the emotional rollercoaster of making significant changes at any career stage. We discuss transferable skills, facing imposter syndrome head-on, and why learning what makes you tick can open unexpected doors. If the thought of moving into product development, commercial, category, or simply “something different” has ever crossed your mind, this episode is for you.
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!