What does a Meat Cutter do?

A Meat Cutter butchers meat into more useful portions. Animals like cows, pigs and wild game are often transported and sold to wholesalers in larger sections, such as an entire side of beef. A Meat Cutter then transforms those primal cuts into the packaged cuts purchased by restaurants and sold on the refrigerated shelves of grocery stores.

An efficient Meat Cutter can make or break a company’s bottom line. Cutting meat with minimal waste and accurately weighing portions improves sales and limits financial losses.

Meat Cutter skills and qualifications

If you’re looking to hire a Meat Cutter, some skills you may want to have in your job description can include:

• Proficiency in using various knives and cutting tools to butcher and prepare meat
• An understanding of different cuts of meat and how to prepare them
• The ability to cut meat into specified portions accurately
• Ensuring the meat is fresh, properly stored and handled according to food safety standards
• Strong communication skills to interact with customers, take orders and provide recommendations
• Knowledge of and adherence to safety practices to prevent injuries and maintain a clean workspace

Meat Cutter experience requirements

Meat Cutters can gain experience through formal training at a vocational school or culinary institute, but many people simply learn on the job. You may ask candidates to present evidence of an apprenticeship in a meat warehouse or butcher shop or for proof they staged or apprenticed in a restaurant that specializes in meat butchery and cooking.

Someone new to meat cutting may still be a solid job candidate if they have other food-related experience. Line cooks and deli assistants have some transferable skills, for instance.

Meat Cutter education and training requirements

There are no formal education requirements for Meat Cutters. Cutting meat is a skill that must be learned from an experienced butcher or other meat cutter who understands different animals, different cuts and the intricacies of weighing and packaging meat.

Some candidates seek formal training from a certificate program focused on butchery, meat science or meat processing. Meat Cutters in a supervisory role may be required to have management experience or a degree or equivalent experience in a culinary or business field. Many employers also require Meat Cutters to possess food service handling cards, sanitation certifications or similar documentation.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Meat Cutter job description doesn’t include all the information you need for your open position, you can find more relevant skills and requirements in these job descriptions created for similar positions:

• Deli Clerk
• Grocery Clerk
• Kitchen Manager

Meat Cutter job description FAQS

What are the duties of a Meat Slicer?

Meat Slicers focus on cutting and slicing meat in a wholesale setting or at retail counters in a butcher shop or supermarket. Meat Slicers who break down larger primal cuts into smaller sides and quarters may also prepare meat for packing and marketing. Meat Slicers who work in a deli slice meat to order or for display, including lunch meats and cured meats used for sandwiches and charcuterie.

What are the duties of a Meat Butcher?

A Meat Butcher cuts wholesale portions of meat into smaller cuts ready for retail sale. For instance, they might break down a side of beef into steaks and ribs and reserve some for ground meat or sausage. Duties include cutting, weighing, processing, packaging and displaying meat. Meat Butchers in a retail setting may also interact with customers and cut and trim meat to order.

What is the job description of a Meat Cutter Assistant?

A Meat Cutter Assistant helps Meat Cutters prepare and package meat. The Assistant often handles administrative and cleaning duties, such as double-checking the weight of packaged meat and overseeing maintenance, setup and breakdown of the general workspace and equipment, like meat slicers.