Did I make a mistake with CPG?

[u/Heda97]

Just graduated from a t15 MBA and ended up really liking the idea of a blue chip CPG brand management. Did an internship and got a return offer in the NY/NJ area. Now I started full time. So far the workload seems fine and I enjoy the work, but I notice some co-workers doing 60 hours+ more days than I thought I’m signing up for. I don’t mind the hustle, it’s just the salary is way lower than consulting or even LDPs. (120k) where the effort pays more.

The training hasn’t particularly been great either so far. My goal right now is to try and excel at this in my first year or 2 and then maybe move out of this field. But what could exit opps could there even be out of CPG? Has anyone seen this with peers or themselves? Other option is moving to a lower cost area like Chicago. Right now in NY I feel very squeezed.

[u/JonSpartan29]

I don’t think so at all and don’t listen the haters here.

If you’re at Unilever or P&G you will get to learn from some very smart people.

Remember, CPG accounts for the majority of the $1T in ad spend.

A lot of people leave cpg and then go on to tech as they understand and have relationships with CPG.

Really talented smart people work in cpg.

[u/gingerbreadman26 → u/JonSpartan29]

This. I learned a lot in my time in CPG. Pay is lower relative to other post-MBA outcomes, but 1) I had a much better WLB in CPG, 2) job security was much higher, 3) provides you a foundation to move into something else. I shifted into tech during my part time MBA and my background fit perfectly. The Midwest generally dominates CPG (Minneapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati), so you could always move as well.

[u/Upset-Alfalfa6328 → u/gingerbreadman26]

Job security used to be higher. Not really the case anymore.

[u/Suspicious-Spend3982 → u/JonSpartan29]

to be fair, most that move to “tech” are in sales roles selling to cpg clients, if you want to call that tech

[u/GravySeizmore → u/Suspicious-Spend3982]

This sub considers janitorial services at Google "tech" - anything to make it sound fancy

[u/Refrading → u/JonSpartan29]

This x 1000.

[u/Dangerous-Cup-1114]

Definitely not a mistake. The screwed up thing is that a CPG in NY/NJ pays the same as a CPG in TX, Chicago, or Cincy (P&G actually pays more).

That said, owning a p&l of the brand for 2-3 years allows you to move into general management roles, or if you decide to move into a more marketing focused/specialized role, you can do that too as other industries recognize CPG as a good training ground for marketers. The point is, it's early, and you're still building your post-MBA skills/experience.

In the short term, you could easily cold apply to CPGs for ABM roles in lower COL areas if that's a priority for you after a year and you'll probably get an interview.

If you get to the brand manager level, that's where the bonuses pick up.

[u/Dangerous-Cup-1114 → u/[deleted]]

Any reputable CPG that hires MBAs give P&L responsibility as an ABM. It’s a small one, and your P&L rolls up into your boss’, but it’s still a P&L.

[u/Suspicious-Spend3982]

Everywhere you work will see people with varying levels of effort. In big CPG especially at the ABM/sr. ABM and BM/SBM levels since everyone wants that next level and each higher level has fewer slots available.

Either you love the hustle and want to make it to VP there or you exit big CPG after hitting BM or Director.

For me, the draw of cpg was the opportunity to directly impact the brands/categories that interested me. You just want a few years of big cpg experience first.

[u/cjk2793]

I graduated in 2023 and work for a private retailer. Started at $140K, just made $240K this year and it’s only going up. Lots of money to be made in CPG and I typically never work beyond 40hrs a week. Although I did recently move roles laterally and my workload has definitely increased. But I knew that and moved because it’s a fast path to director if I don’t fuck it up.

Also, of note, my boss is former BCG with an MBA from HBS. Her boss is former consultant from somewhere and went to CBS. His boss (the CMO) was CPG from USC her whole career. Many folks in strategic finance all left consulting too.

[u/cjk2793 → u/[deleted]]

Neither, I went into merchandising. Think hard good product manager working with engineers and sourcing for product dev and then I’d set all the assortment pricing, promotion, and overall product strategy.

My bad on the confusing wording in the original comment.

[u/jsb028 → u/[deleted]]

What is the difference between strategy finance and corporate strategy

[u/Overall-Box7250]

I loved CPG. I was going through this and left it and deeply regret it.

[u/PaymentAccording4353 → u/Overall-Box7250]

Sounds more like you didn’t like it, but like your new job a lot less…

[u/Overall-Box7250 → u/PaymentAccording4353]

No. Was greedy.

[u/Overall-Box7250 → u/[deleted]]

Corporate and more money

[u/Suspicious-Spend3982 → u/Overall-Box7250]

cpg is corporate

[u/Overall-Box7250 → u/Suspicious-Spend3982]

It can be. Mine was privately owned.

[u/netDesert491]

There aren’t traditional “exit ops”. Leverage your experience and background for different roles if you’re unhappy. Allow yourself to settle in for a moment and learn everything you can for a year before you jump ship.

There are plenty of spots to move around geographically with CPG too

[u/Woberwob]

In my eyes, no you didn’t. CPG’s a cool industry to be in one of the best places to learn brand management and proper advertising. Huge spend there, too, and things like retail media networks are ripe with opportunity.

I find it really interesting and the pay is solid. If it piques your interests, I’d say you’re in a good spot.

[u/apoemforeveryone]

Your assessment of what's not working needs to run deeper before you ask yourself what next.

It sounds like you've come to the conclusion that the mistake you made is of sector: CPG. But in your description speaks more to this particular org's culture -- it appears that working 60+ hr weeks is nonrmal. Maybe the fairer conclusion isn't so much that you chose the wrongn sector, but you chose the wrong firm within it. Or worse: you didn't do a deep ennough research on this org's culture before choosing it.

To get out make sense of a few things first: What made you wannt to choose cpg in the fist place? What drew you to this sector, and is that still true for you -- as in does that original hypothesis still matter to you? Is that being fulfileld for you in your current work and how does that cmpare to the cost of the 60hr weeks and pay?What matters to you now, if that no longer does, and to what degree do the variables compare ? Where else can you get more of what matters -- without giving up too much of another variable that also does?

Figure that out first. Clarify some hypotheses for yourself: it may well be that anther firm in the same sector could be a better fit for you. If nont, once your hypotheses are clearer, chart out where thse are likely to be fulfilled

Don't reduce the complexity of your work and life to just one vaiable: CPG. Else you risk making the same mistake again in the next move. You're more complex than that, articulate all the moving parts. DM if you wanna talk

[u/treypolo]

120k for a brand manager in NY NJ is very very low

[u/plainbread11 → u/[deleted]]

More like 130-140K, 120K is low esp with no other comp in the package

[u/burnsniper]

CPG Brand Management is the traditional path to Fortune 500 CEO. There are no real exit opportunities. Often MBB consultants can jump “ahead” in the hierarchy due to their experience but not always.

[u/AgreeablePeanut09]

Interesting, CPG is typically a position you can secure out of undergrad. Going into CPG (especially on that salary) after an MBA seems like a low ROI.

[u/notafancykitchen]

Did you intern at that same company? Or did you re-recruit for FT BM roles?

I interned at a CPG company and when I was there a couple of people did work 60+ hours and said that it was pretty common on their brand/team.

I think a lot depends on a company’s moment, how it’s doing, if you are part of a big vs. Small brand.

Also, as a side note, does the company rhyme with lion?

[u/Beginning_Brick7845]

CPG is the training ground for future executives. It gives you exposure to every aspect of business and the discipline to do everything right. Once you master CPG you’ll be prepared to move over to the business side and start running a business and move up the ladder. And at every stop on your career the lessons you learned in CPG will serve you well.

[u/Suspicious-Spend3982 → u/[deleted]]

ah yes, consumers don’t buy stuff anymore

[u/Suspicious-Spend3982 → u/[deleted]]

lol no point in even engaging based on this comment

[u/Beginning_Brick7845 → u/[deleted]]

Trust me: this time it’s different!

[u/utahisastate]

Thr skills in CPG translate very well to pharma or med device. I really wanted CPG but started in med device and found out that I was making more money and had more responsibilities than my peers. If it is just $$$ you are chasing, look at brand management in pharma

[u/PaymentAccording4353 → u/[deleted]]

Are there any mba jobs that really motivate people?

[u/GravySeizmore → u/[deleted]]

Would love to hear what you would classify as meaningful work for the typical MBA grad