Career summary

Details for Butchers and Meat Cutters


Description

Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.

Tasks

  • Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
  • Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
  • Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
  • Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
  • Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
  • Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
  • Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
  • Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
  • Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.
  • Negotiate with representatives from supply companies to determine order details.
  • Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.
  • Total sales, and collect money from customers.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing -Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Customer and Personal Service -Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Food Production -Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Skills

None found.

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