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Meat Department Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Overview of Responsibilities The Meat Department Manager is responsible for maintaining Staff of Life meat programs at the current and future Watsonville location. This position will manage all ...

About the Role The MIT position is a short-term transitional role that prepares employees for promotion to Meat Department Manager. From the program start date, promotion is possible within ...

Meat Department Clerk

Watsonville, CA

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

We are looking for a Meat Department Clerk to start and begin training ASAP ... Job duties include any additional duties as assigned by managers. We have many departments, but we ...

Join us as a Meat Department Manager, where operational standards, food safety, and customer experience work together to support store success. At Albertsons Companies, we seek leaders who lead ...

Meat Manager

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$24 - $31.75/hr

Join us as a Meat Department Manager, where operational standards, food safety, and customer experience work together to support store success. At Albertsons Companies, we seek leaders who lead ...

Meat Manager

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$24 - $31.75/hr

Join us as a Meat Department Manager, where operational standards, food safety, and customer experience work together to support store success. At Albertsons Companies, we seek leaders who lead ...

Meat 2nd

Livingston, CA

$22 - $29/hr

The Meat 2nd assists the Meat Manager in overseeing the meat department's operations, including staff management, inventory control, and customer service. Essential Functions of the Position ...

Meat 2nd

Manteca, CA · On-site

$22 - $29.25/hr

The Meat 2nd assists the Meat Manager in overseeing the meat department's operations, including staff management, inventory control, and customer service. Essential Functions of the Position ...

Meat 2nd

Livingston, CA · On-site

$22 - $29/hr

The Meat 2nd assists the Meat Manager in overseeing the meat department's operations, including staff management, inventory control, and customer service. Essential Functions of the Position ...

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Showing results 1-20

Meat Department Manager information

See California salary details

$33.6K

$40.9K

$52.3K

How much do meat department manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for meat department manager in California is $40,949.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,500.00 and $39,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a meat department manager do?

As a meat department manager, your duties and responsibilities are to oversee the butcher or deli section of a grocery store. You help schedule shifts and hire and train new employees on how to maintain product quality, operate specialized butcher’s machinery used for cutting meat, and weigh products. You also teach them proper packaging techniques. As the meat department manager, you are responsible for keeping your department sanitary and efficient and addressing concerns from customers. You also consult with sales managers and others at the grocery store to assess goals and strategies to increase sales.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a meat department manager?

To thrive as a Meat Department Manager, you need expertise in meat cutting, inventory management, food safety regulations, and retail operations, typically supported by prior experience or training in meat handling. Familiarity with commercial meat processing equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food safety certifications such as ServSafe is often required. Strong leadership, customer service, and organizational skills help you effectively manage staff and interact with customers. These competencies ensure efficient department operations, regulatory compliance, and high-quality customer experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by meat department managers, and how can they be addressed?

Meat Department Managers often face challenges such as maintaining product quality and freshness, managing inventory to minimize waste, and ensuring food safety compliance. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Effective communication with team members and close coordination with suppliers are also essential to address these challenges, along with ongoing staff training and adherence to store policies. Proactively monitoring sales trends and adjusting orders accordingly can help control inventory and reduce shrink.

What is the difference between Meat Department Manager vs Butcher?

AspectMeat Department ManagerButcher
CredentialsFood safety certifications, management experienceButchery certifications, knife skills
Work EnvironmentSupervises staff, manages inventory in retail or grocery storesPrepares and cuts meat in retail or specialty shops
Employer & IndustryGrocery stores, supermarkets, wholesale clubsButcher shops, meat markets, grocery stores
Search & ComparisonOften compared for managerial roles in meat departmentsCompared for hands-on meat preparation skills

The Meat Department Manager oversees the entire meat department, including staff management and inventory control, while the Butcher focuses on meat cutting and preparation. Both roles require knowledge of food safety, but the manager's role is broader, involving supervision and business operations, whereas the butcher specializes in craftsmanship and meat processing.

How much do meat department managers make in the US?

Meat department managers in the US typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, with the average around $50,000 to $60,000. Salaries can vary based on experience, store size, location, and certifications such as meat cutting or food safety training.

What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Department jobs in California?

The most popular types of Meat Department jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Meat Department Manager jobs in California?

For Meat Department Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Meat Department Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Meat Department Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Meat Department Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Meat Department Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Meat Department Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,949 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Meat Department Manager

Staff of Life

Watsonville, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

We are a locally owned and operated pioneer in the natural foods industry
since 1969. We offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, a
huge selection of bulk goods, a diverse and class leading selection of
vitamins, supplements, and cosmetics and much more in a fun, friendly,
welcoming environment. This is an exciting time at Staff of Life as we are
growing and opening our second location in the first quarter of 2020, and
we’d like you to grow with us!
In addition to a rewarding career in a growing business, Staff of Life
offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family.

These
programs include:
- Competitive pay
- 15% employee discount for you on purchases made at Staff of Life (some
exclusions apply)
- Flexible schedules
Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits:
- 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match
- Affordable benefit coverage, including medical and dental (employees
can pay premiums with pre-tax dollars)
- Paid vacation
We are seeking a professional Meat Department Manager to help us expand and
improve our position as a destination for premier natural meats!
Overview of Responsibilities
The Meat Department Manager is responsible for maintaining Staff of Life
meat programs at the current and future Watsonville location. This
position will manage all activities of the department including selling and
service management, merchandising and business management, product handling
and presentation, scheduling, ordering, receiving, and inventory control.
The Meat Department Manager plans, orders, and prepares cutting lists, and
processes meat according to department goals and standards to maximize
sales and gross profit. This position is responsible for training and
developing staff, work schedules, and supervising and managing department
staff to ensure correct ordering, receiving, unloading, storage, and
rotation of merchandise and displays.
Qualifications
*To be a Meat Department Manager at Staff of Life you must:*
- Must have a minimum of 2 year’s meat cutting experience in the grocery
or restaurant industry including leadership experience.
- Be dependable and reliable; and have the ability to work a flexible
schedule that changes as the business changes including nights, weekends
and holidays.
- Have and show an outgoing and friendly behavior; a positive attitude
and the ability to interact with our customers

Have good communication
skills; and the ability to give direction and participate in a team
environment.
- Be able to manage department budget and achieves financial goals
including sales, gross margin and labor.
- Effectively implements promotional programs, merchandising and pricing
plans by proper planning and advertising.
- Develop and ensure recipes are followed for prepared food items
(including a rotisserie)
- Meets labor, sales and margin goals, maintaining a working knowledge
weekly sales numbers and financial goals.
- Must be able to perform other related duties as assigned.
- Have a basic knowledge of math, weights and measures.
- Be able to manage inventory, in-stock position, pricing integrity,
merchandising plans, labor, security, expense control, and other
operational processes.
- Be able to handle customer complaints, questions or requests for
information about the various meat and meat products that Staff of Life
sells.
- Perform general housekeeping in the department; clean and sanitize
work area (including tables, floor, walls, cases, cooler, freezer, etc.).
- Adhere to all safety, health, weights and measures regulations.
- Must be capable of standing for up to 4 hour continuously, and a total
of 8 hours per shift is a must; will walk up to 2 miles per 8 hours.
- Be able to work inside a temperature controlled area
- Good vision is required for using sharp knives, band saw, grinder,
sausage maker, box cutter, wrapping machine and other equipment.
- Be able to lift/carry products horizontally/vertically between 25 to
90 lbs., from 4” to 60”, a distance up to 10 feet for 20 hours.
- Be able to use a pallet jack to move pallets horizontally up to 500
lbs., requiring a force of up to 85 lbs., a distance up to 100 feet for up
to 5 hours.
- Be able to horizontally move racks of products weighing up to 70 lbs.,
requiring a force up to 25 lbs., for a distance up to 50 feet for up to 10
hours.
- Be able to move tables weighing up to 70 lbs., requiring a force
greater than 35 lbs., a distance up to 2 feet for up to 1 hour.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level
of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an
exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Staff of
Life management reserves the right to amend and change duties,
responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational
needs as necessary.