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Lead Butcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sailer's Food Market & Meat Processing Inc

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Lead Production Operator

Wilson, WI · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

The Lead Operator will oversee all daily operations of the meat processing plant, from production ... President of the company, Jake Sailer, is a 5th-generation butcher and a Master Meat Cutter who has ...

Meijer

New Store - Meat Department Lead

Fishers, IN · On-site

Lead with Craft. Serve with Care. At Meijer, we take pride in delivering fresh, high-quality ... Previous meat-cutting, butchery, or meat department experience required. * Strong leadership skills ...

Piggly Wiggly

Meat Cutter

Port Royal, SC · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Expert Butchery: Break down beef, pork, lamb, and poultry products with precision. Prepare ... Lead by example by training and mentoring other Team Members on proper cutting, preparation, and ...

Piggly Wiggly

Meat Cutter

Port Royal, SC · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Expert Butchery: Break down beef, pork, lamb, and poultry products with precision. Prepare ... Lead by example by training and mentoring other Team Members on proper cutting, preparation, and ...

BJ's Wholesale Club

Butcher

Madison, AL · On-site

$16.25/hr

Acts with honesty and integrity and lead with the member in mind to address any and all concerns and to escalate any concerns, as appropriate. * Ensure a safe and positive environment for our members ...

BJ's Wholesale Club

Butcher

Coventry, RI · On-site

$16.75 - $20.10/hr

Acts with honesty and integrity and lead with the member in mind to address any and all concerns and to escalate any concerns, as appropriate. * Ensure a safe and positive environment for our members ...

BJ's Wholesale Club

Butcher

Bel Air, MD · On-site

$17.25 - $20.70/hr

Acts with honesty and integrity and lead with the member in mind to address any and all concerns and to escalate any concerns, as appropriate. * Ensure a safe and positive environment for our members ...

BJ's Wholesale Club

Butcher

Manchester, NH · On-site

$16.50/hr

Acts with honesty and integrity and lead with the member in mind to address any and all concerns and to escalate any concerns, as appropriate. * Ensure a safe and positive environment for our members ...

BJ's Wholesale Club

Butcher

Auburn, MA · On-site

$16.75 - $20.10/hr

Acts with honesty and integrity and lead with the member in mind to address any and all concerns and to escalate any concerns, as appropriate. * Ensure a safe and positive environment for our members ...

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Lead Butcher information

See salary details

$14

$19

$28

How much do lead butcher jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead butcher in the United States is $19.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Lead Butchers face when managing a team in a busy meat department?

Lead Butchers often juggle multiple responsibilities, from overseeing meat cutting operations to training junior staff and ensuring strict food safety compliance. One common challenge is balancing productivity with maintaining high quality standards, especially during peak business hours. Additionally, coordinating with other departments, managing inventory, and adapting to customer preferences require strong organizational and communication skills. Effective leadership and the ability to handle pressure are key to keeping the team motivated and operations running smoothly.

What is top pay for a meat cutter at Costco?

The top pay for a meat cutter at Costco typically ranges from $20 to $30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and tenure with the company. Experienced lead butchers or those with specialized skills may earn higher wages, often supplemented by benefits and overtime opportunities.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Lead Butchers typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily earnings are more common in specialized roles like surgeons, corporate executives, or high-level consultants. Some freelance or contract professionals in fields like law, finance, or technology may reach this level with significant experience and expertise. Most jobs paying this amount require advanced skills, certifications, or ownership of a business.

What is the difference between Lead Butcher vs Butcher?

AspectLead ButcherButcher
CertificationsFood safety, HACCP, and butchery certificationsFood safety and basic butchery skills
Work EnvironmentSupervisory role in retail, wholesale, or restaurant settingsHands-on meat cutting in retail or processing plants
ResponsibilitiesOversees butchery operations, trains staff, manages inventoryPrepares and cuts meat products according to specifications

The main difference between a Lead Butcher and a Butcher lies in their responsibilities and leadership roles. The Lead Butcher supervises staff, manages operations, and ensures quality standards, while the Butcher focuses primarily on meat preparation and cutting. Both roles require similar certifications and work in comparable environments, but the Lead Butcher has additional managerial duties.

What is a Lead Butcher?

A Lead Butcher is a skilled professional responsible for overseeing the meat cutting operations in a butcher shop, grocery store, or meat processing facility. They supervise a team of butchers, ensure proper meat handling and safety standards, and manage inventory and ordering. In addition to cutting and preparing meat, Lead Butchers often train staff, maintain equipment, and ensure customer satisfaction. Their role is essential for maintaining quality and efficiency in meat production and sales.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Butcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Butcher, you need expert knowledge of meat cutting techniques, food safety regulations, and inventory management, often supported by a high school diploma and several years of butchery experience. Familiarity with specialized knives, meat grinders, saws, and point-of-sale systems is typically required, and food safety certifications are highly valued. Leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for training staff and ensuring quality standards. These competencies are crucial for maintaining product quality, workplace safety, and efficient, customer-focused operations.

How much do butchers make?

In Pennsylvania, butchers typically earn an average hourly wage of around $15 to $20, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $30,000 to $45,000. Experienced lead butchers or those working in specialty markets may earn higher wages, especially with certifications and advanced skills.

Where do butchers get paid the most?

Butchers tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and strong demand for meat processing, such as urban areas or states with a significant food industry presence. Experience, certifications, and working in large supermarkets or specialty meat shops can also influence pay rates.
More about Lead Butcher jobs
What job categories do people searching Lead Butcher jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Butcher jobs are:
Lead Butcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Butcher job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $41,453 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Lead Production Operator

Sailer's Food Market & Meat Processing Inc

Wilson, WI • On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Oversee all daily operations of the meat processing plant to ensure policies and procedures are followed.

  • Maintain and run the smokehouse, including hanging and smoking bacon, and monitoring temperatures and times.

  • Assist with loading and unloading trucks, operating pallet jacks, managing freezer inventory, ensuring product label accuracy, communicating with cleaners and team members, and closing the warehouse.

Job description

The Lead Operator will oversee all daily operations of the meat processing plant, from production, to ensure policies and procedures are followed. They will lead by example with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. Being a team player to get jobs done on time. 

Maintain and run the smokehouse

hang and smoke bacon

monitor temperatures and times

Assist with loading/ unloading trucks

Operate Pallet jacks

Ensure accuracy of product labels

Freezer Inventory Management

Communicate with cleaners and other team members

Responsible for closing the warehouse

Company Description

Sailer’s Food Market & Meat Processing, Inc. is a USDA-inspected custom processor of beef, pork, lamb, and buffalo. Our 3.0 location is an SQF Certified Co-packing facility. We carry a full line of retail meats and award-winning sausages. President of the company, Jake Sailer, is a 5th-generation butcher and a Master Meat Cutter who has been servicing Elmwood, Wisconsin, and the surrounding communities since 1923. Recently, we have launched our branded snack sticks and are a growing company. Sailer's offers a competitive wage along with health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and a retirement account including a 3% company match. We are currently looking for a HACCP Coordinator.