Food Industry Management Programs
Educating Future Leaders in the Food Industry Since 1958
2024 PROGRAM DATES
Program Orientation
January 4, 2024
Program Dates
January 8–April 30, 2024
Capstone Education Day
April 30, 2024
Graduation Banquet
May 1, 2024
WAFC Convention
(Colorado)
May 4–May 8, 2024
Invest In Your Future
The transformational Food Industry Management Program (FIM) is designed to cultivate agile leaders equipped with in-demand business skills that drive success.
- FIM graduates stay 8 years longer at their organizations than non-graduates.
- FIM graduates are 3 times more likely to advance to a senior leader or executive roles.
- 52% of FIM graduates are currently in senior leadership or executive roles.
Cultivate robust leadership and management competencies, sharpen your business acumen, and hone critical thinking skills. Explore innovative leadership techniques that empower you to become a confident thought leader, capable of addressing contemporary industry challenges, utilizing persuasion effectively, fostering unity, and identifying organizational opportunities.
*AlixPartners 01/2023 research assessment was completed with a LinkedIn profile scrape of 146 FIM graduates and 821 non-graduates from food industry and consumer goods companies.
Full-tuition Scholarship Leadership Program
The FIM program started in 1958 to groom high-potential future leaders. Each year, a maximum of 35 executives are chosen from a wide range of companies to participate in this elite 16-week certificate program. Individuals selected must have a proven management accomplishment record and significant potential for future advancement. Each executive accepted into the program receives a full-tuition scholarship through the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC).
FIM PROGRAM | THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Join Industry High-Potentials
Selected participants come from an array of global food industry retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing and supplier companies. Participants come from all departments including corporate office, warehouses, operations, sales, marketing, finance, and human resources. They hold various roles including department or area managers, store directors, district managers, directors and VP’s. Learn to create new opportunities and become a leader with competitive advantage.
FIM PROGRAM | FOOD INDUSTRY LEADERS
“Being a 38-year veteran of the grocery industry and a graduate of the Food Industry Management Program, I can assure you that the FIM Program at USC develops future leaders and changes lives. It is truly an honor for the WAFC to work with food industry leadership with the same passion for developing talent within their companies. Since 1958, the Food Industry Management Program at the USC Marshall School of Business has developed many of the most successful executives in the grocery industry.”
– Patrick Posey
Western Association of Food Chains Chief Operating Officer
FIM + WAFC
The Food Industry Management Program
in Partnership with the WAFC
Industry leaders across all segments – retail, wholesale, and CPG and third-party suppliers – unite together to focus on educational opportunities that benefit food industry associates. Potential students from all areas of the food industry are impartially evaluated on their past educational experience, as well as job performance and future industry potential.
A full-tuition scholarship is awarded to each participant admitted into the FIM Certificate program. The scholarships are provided by the Western Association of Food Chains’ (WAFC) Educational Fund, which is supported by contributions from food industry supplier companies.
WHY USC MARSHALL FIM DELIVERS
You Pick Them,
We Polish Them
No two leaders nor organizations are exactly alike even if they are in the same industries. But don't take our word for it. Hear from our past participants and gain insight into the impact of FIM both professionally and personally.
2024 Food Industry Executive of the Year
Greg McNiff
USC Marshall honors Greg McNiff, President and Chief Operating Officer of Starter Bros. Markets, as the 2024 Food Industry Executive of the Year.
Every year the award is presented to an individual food industry executive who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to education.
Click on Greg McNiff’s image to access the Press Release.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT | INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS
Food Industry Executive Program
FIM 60th and 50th Anniversary Books
A Tradition of Excellence
Click on the commemorative flipbooks to see the industry’s high-potential leaders accepted over the years. Founded in 1958, the USC Marshall School of Business Food Industry Management (FIM) program is scholarshiped by the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC). Take a look at the many historical milestones