Name
Bryony Richards
Age
30
Job title
National account manager
Company and location
I work for Dunbia, one of the largest red meat manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, based out of Preston.
Education
BSc (Hons) International Business Management (Food & Agribusiness) from The Royal Agricultural University
Favourite food/drink
It would have to be a sirloin steak cooked medium rare with baby potatoes smothered in butter and seasonal vegetables.
What inspired you to enter F&B?
Growing up with farming grandparents and seeing first-hand the attention, care, and effort that goes into growing crops and raising animals led me to want to understand the farm to fork journey further. This inspiration led me to pursue a career in food manufacturing, where I could contribute to improving the processes that bring quality food from the farm to the consumer’s table.
Tell us about your role
In my role, I am responsible for managing the relationship with a major UK retailer. This involves building a joint business plan, collaborating on new innovation, and ensuring that product quality is consistently maintained. I work closely with the retailer to align on goals, drive sales and understand consumers demands.
What does a typical day look like?
What I love about my role is that every day is different. One day, we might be forecasting how many people will have a BBQ over the weekend to determine production needs, and the next, we could be reviewing and benchmarking Christmas product launches, planning for next year’s releases. It’s always dynamic and keeps me on my toes.
How did you get to where you are today?
I got to where I am today by joining Dunbia on the graduate scheme, where I had the opportunity to work across all areas of the business. This hands-on learning gave me a broad understanding of the different departments and their unique challenges, and it has helped me to see the bigger picture and work with all the areas to resolve and improve any problems.
Dunbia offers excellent routes for entry, with the graduate scheme being one of many pathways into the business, making it a great place to grow your career and develop valuable skills in a supportive environment.
When you’re having a bad day, what cheers you up?
We all have bad days; it’s part of being human. On those days, there’s nothing quite like a nice cup of tea with the team and the comforting thought that tomorrow is a new day, full of fresh opportunities and a chance to start anew.
What’s your favourite part about the food sector?
One of the most exciting parts of the food industry in the UK is the continuous innovation and the ongoing focus on sustainability. There’s a strong push toward creating more environmentally friendly practices, from reducing food waste to improving sustainable farming methods and reducing packaging waste. Something which Dunbia we are very passionate about and it is great to be part of the journey.
If you could change one thing about the F&B sector what would it be?
I’d love for more people to be aware of the diverse range of opportunities within the food manufacturing industry. It’s a dynamic and rewarding sector with so many areas to explore and grow in, from production and innovation to logistics and quality control. There are countless career paths, and it’s an industry that offers both stability and room for personal and professional development.
What’s next for you/what’s the dream?
This year, I am undergoing a management development program with Dunbia at University College Dublin to continue growing and learning with the business. It’s a fantastic opportunity to deepen my skills, gain new insights, and further contribute to the company’s success while advancing my own professional development.
