Department: Production Reports to: Head Butcher / Plant Manager Contract: Seasonal Fixed-Term Contract – 5 months Hours: 42.5 hours per week, 6am–2pm Additional hours and weekend working may be required during peak periods The Role We are looking for an experienced Butcher to join our production team on a seasonal basis. You’ll be responsible for skilled butchery and processing, ensuring products are prepared safely, efficiently and consistently to specification. The role is hands-on and fast-paced, with a strong focus on quality, food safety, yield, hygiene and traceability. Key Responsibilities * Break down, debone, trim, portion and prepare venison and other approved products to specification. * Safely use knives, saws, mincers, dicers, vacuum packing equipment and other authorised machinery. * Maintain consistent cuts, weights and presentation while maximising yield and minimising waste. * Identify and report defects, contamination or products outside specification. * Follow food safety procedures, HACCP controls, work instructions and product specifications. * Maintain accurate labelling, batch control, date coding and product traceability. * Follow temperature, allergen, segregation and other legal and customer requirements. * Maintain excellent personal hygiene and use all required PPE. * Clean and sanitise equipment and work areas in line with hygiene procedures. * Complete equipment checks and report faults or damage promptly. * Follow all knife, manual handling, chemical, cold-store and workplace safety procedures. * Support packing, labelling, weighing, stock movement, order preparation, cleaning and other production duties as required. * Work collaboratively with production, quality, hygiene, intake, packing and despatch teams. * Meet agreed productivity, yield and quality standards without compromising food safety. * Complete production, traceability, waste and cleaning records accurately. About You * Previous commercial butchery, meat processing or carcass breakdown experience is essential. * Confident and competent with knife handling, deboning, trimming and portion control. * Good understanding of food hygiene, cross-contamination prevention and temperature control. * Able to work accurately at pace and follow written and verbal instructions. * Basic numeracy and literacy skills for weights, labels, specifications and production records. * Reliable, punctual, flexible and comfortable working additional hours during peak periods. * Physically capable of prolonged standing, repetitive work and safe product handling. * A positive team player who takes pride in quality and workmanship. Specialist training may be provided to a suitably skilled butcher. Working Environment The role is based primarily in chilled processing areas and may include freezer, intake and wet-cleaning environments. The position involves prolonged standing, repetitive movements, knife use and handling product within safe manual-handling limits. Key Performance Measures * Achieving agreed productivity and yield targets. * Consistently meeting product specification, weight and presentation standards. * Maintaining full compliance with food safety, HACCP and traceability requirements. * Maintaining high standards of hygiene, cleaning and equipment care. * Reliable attendance and punctuality. * Positive contribution to team performance and daily production targets
Butcher in Thatcham employer: D R Newitt & Associates
Join a dynamic and collaborative team at a leading manufacturer in Lancashire, where your sales expertise will be valued and rewarded. With a competitive salary of circa £25k plus OTE commission, you'll benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through training and future progression opportunities. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in a thriving industry.
