Data-Driven Insights: Tälist's Alt. Protein Careers & Hiring Report
Leveraging exclusive data from the AltProtein.Jobs platform, Tälist has just released the Alt. Protein Career & Hiring Report – a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of hiring trends, skill demands, geographic hotspots, and candidate preferences within the industry. Here are just some of the report’s highlights and key takeaways for employers, job seekers, and stakeholders in this industry.
The Current State of the Job Market
Growth Across Regions
Analyzing the data from October 2023 to October 2024, job postings have grown in regions such as Asia-Pacific, South/Latin America, and the Middle East. Asia-Pacific countries like Singapore, India, and China are emerging as Alt. Protein hubs, driven by consumer demand and supportive policies. South/Latin America and the Middle East are showing particularly rapid growth, roughly doubling their job opportunities over the past year.
North America, while still a dominant player, has seen its share of job postings decline slightly. The EU is showing a slight growth, albeit much smaller than in the aforementioned regions, showing a global expansion of the sector beyond traditional markets.
Job Trends and Demand
Over the past year, 16,010 job postings were recorded, with peak activity in January and August. Entry- and mid-level roles dominate the landscape, making up over 60% of postings. This trend highlights the industry’s need for fresh talent and experienced professionals to drive operations and innovation.
Key functions in demand include:
Biology & Food Science: Crucial for R&D and product innovation.
Production: Vital to scaling and quality assurance.
Sales & Marketing: Reflecting the sector’s growing focus on commercialization.
Insights for Job Seekers: Skills in Demand
High-Demand Roles: Job seekers with expertise in food science, production, and biology are particularly well-positioned. The report reveals significant opportunities in manufacturing and quality assurance, where there’s a notable talent gap.
Emerging Career Paths: Sales & marketing roles are expanding rapidly, driven by the sector’s focus on customer engagement and product positioning. Professionals with experience in the food or biotech industries can leverage these emerging opportunities.
Competitive Fields: Areas such as policy & advocacy and software engineering are becoming increasingly competitive, with more candidates vying for fewer positions. To stand out, candidates should focus on specialized experience or upskilling.
Hiring Insights for Employers: Addressing Gaps and Trends
Bridging the Talent Gap: A disconnect exists between job postings and candidate preferences in several categories. For example, while 21.9% of job listings are for production roles, only 1.4% of candidates prioritize these positions. Similarly, there are more job postings than candidates in sales & marketing, while the situation is reversed for the business, software engineering as well as biology & food science functions.
Remote Work vs. Candidate Expectations: While most job postings require on-site presence (69%), candidates are increasingly favoring hybrid (39%) or fully remote roles (20%). Adapting to these preferences could significantly widen the talent pool and attract top-tier candidates.
Geographic Strategies: With 78% of candidates willing to relocate to the EU and 60% to North America, employers can tap into a highly mobile talent pool. Offering relocation support and fostering localized hiring strategies in high-growth regions like Asia-Pacific can further enhance recruitment efforts.
Looking Ahead: Outlook for 2025
The Alternative Protein sector is expected to continue growing and diversifying. Key expectations include:
Regional Shifts: Increased hiring in Asia-Pacific, South/Latin America, and the Middle East.
Skill Evolution: Demand for specialized skills in R&D, production, and sales will grow.
Technology Integration: Greater use of AI in recruitment to streamline hiring processes and reduce bias.
Job seekers can expect heightened competition in saturated fields but abundant opportunities in high-demand areas like production and commercialization.
Navigating the Future of the Alternative Protein Job Market
Tälist’s Alt. Protein Career & Hiring Report offers valuable insights for all stakeholders in the Alternative Protein sector. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or investing in the future of food, this data-driven analysis provides the tools to make informed decisions.
Download the full report to explore detailed insights and stay ahead in the Alternative Protein job market.
Let’s work together to shape a sustainable, innovative future of food.