Meat Cutter

Overview

This role supports customers by expertly cutting meat according to specifications for size, quality, and trimming to ensure products are sale-ready. The position also assists daily operations within the meat and seafood sections. It plays a vital part in fostering customer trust and repeat business through compliance with operating procedures and delivering fresh, appealing products alongside courteous, informed, and prompt service. Merchandising strategies are implemented as per department guidelines, mindful of product levels, shrinkage, and sales trends. The role embraces diversity and promotes an inclusive workplace by valuing team members' varied backgrounds and experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a welcoming atmosphere to customers to enhance their confidence and loyalty.
• Prepare, package, and process food orders to meet exact specifications, including fresh, smoked, frozen, lunchmeats, and salted meats.
• Utilize peak performance cutting lists to cut and trim products following company standards.
• Accurately wrap, weigh, price, cube, slice, and grind meat products.
• Operate various meat department machinery and tools safely and efficiently.
• Handle special orders and customer requests effectively; perform meat/seafood counter clerk duties when required.
• Promote teamwork and communication by sharing company and job information transparently.
• Strictly adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and company policies.
• Manage inventory by stocking, rotating products to maintain freshness, and controlling waste to minimize supply costs.
• Receive and break down meat deliveries, keep the workspace clean and safe, and ensure product quality and freshness monitoring.
• Use production planning tools to optimize fresh product output, comply with discard and markdown procedures to reduce shrinkage.
• Maintain proper product temperatures according to food safety standards and retain documentation for temperature logs.
• Ensure food handling safety, sanitation, productivity, and regulatory compliance, including USDA, COOL, and DOA standards.
• Execute product recalls swiftly, securing and removing affected items from customer access.
• Maintain safety programs by identifying, reporting hazards, and ensuring adherence to wage and hour policies.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained, hazards are reported, and personal protective equipment is utilized appropriately.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States or ability to obtain it.
• Successful clearance of pre-employment drug tests and background checks.
• Strong skills in customer service and communication.
• Proficient interpersonal skills and motivation capabilities.
• Basic math knowledge.
• Ability to manage stressful situations effectively.
• Competent knife handling skills with good speed.
• Familiarity with cutting, traying, wrapping, and labeling procedures.
• English language proficiency preferred, Spanish language skills are an asset.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand or walk on various floor surfaces, perform manual tasks, talk, hear, see, and conduct repetitive hand and/or foot movements.
• Frequently reach waist level or overhead, carry, push, or lift loads up to specified weights (lifting up to 70 lbs, pulling up to 250 lbs).
• Occasional sitting, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or climbing up to 10 feet.
• Exposure to various working conditions including indoor, outdoor, cold, freezing, heated, wet, humid environments.
• Exposure to workplace hazards such as sharp objects, slippery or cluttered floors, loud noise, skin irritants, dust, fumes, sprays, cleaning chemicals, and other toxins.
• Utilizes cleaning supplies, general office equipment, pricing and scanning devices, material handling tools, and various specialized meat cutting equipment.
• Personal protective equipment includes goggles, gloves of various types, back braces, and other safety gear as required.

Additional Information

• Varied shift schedules apply.
• Travel is occasional with no overnight requirements.