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Meat Packaging Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Meat Cutter

Mason City, IA · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Meat Specialist Department: Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function The meat specialist is a fully skilled job that cuts and merchandises all fresh meat commodities. Core Competencies * Partnerships

Meat Cutter

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Meat Specialist Department: Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function The meat specialist is a fully skilled job that cuts and merchandises all fresh meat commodities. Core Competencies * Partnerships

Meat Cutter

Mason City, IA · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Meat Specialist Department: Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function The meat specialist is a fully skilled job that cuts and merchandises all fresh meat commodities. Core Competencies * Partnerships

Meat Cutter

Ames, IA · On-site

$15 - $19.75/hr

Meat Specialist Department: Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function The meat specialist is a fully skilled job that cuts and merchandises all fresh meat commodities. Core Competencies * Partnerships

Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service. Wraps, trims, stocks cases, and receives merchandise in the Meat and/or Seafood Department. Core ...

Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service. Wraps, trims, stocks cases, and receives merchandise in the Meat and/or Seafood Department. Core ...

Package and Label Meat Products per program plan * Merchandise Meat Products per Flight plan/Merchandising Expectations * Stock Backroom with Meat Products - Rotating and Dating Cases/Buckets

Stocker - Meat

Urbandale, IA

$13.10 - $13.54/hr

Meat Manager FLSA: Full/Part Time, Hourly, 8-10 Hour Shifts, Union Restaurant Depot is a wholesale cash-and-carry foodservice distributor. Our mission is to provide our customers with Savings ...

Stocker - Meat

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$13.10 - $13.54/hr

Meat Manager FLSA: Full/Part Time, Hourly, 8-10 Hour Shifts, Union Restaurant Depot is a wholesale cash-and-carry foodservice distributor. Our mission is to provide our customers with Savings ...

Assistant Meat Manager

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $14.99/hr

Meat Supervisor: Meat Manager FLSA: Full-Time, Hourly, 8-10 hour shift, Overtime Restaurant Depot is a wholesale cash-and-carry foodservice distributor. Our mission is to provide our customers with ...

Accounting Clerk II

Sioux Center, IA

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Compile data and reports to assist with the monthly accounting closing process. * Assist with observing and auditing physical inventories of meat, packaging, ingredients, and maintenance parts.

Accounting Clerk II

Sioux Center, IA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Compile data and reports to assist with the monthly accounting closing process. * Assist with observing and auditing physical inventories of meat, packaging, ingredients, and maintenance parts.

Accounting Clerk II

Sioux Center, IA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Compile data and reports to assist with the monthly accounting closing process. * Assist with observing and auditing physical inventories of meat, packaging, ingredients, and maintenance parts.

Meat FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service. Assists Department Manager to present the freshest most innovative and best quality products at a ...

Meat. * FLSA : Exempt. General Function : Sets the department standards for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance and overall profitability.

Showing results 41-60

Meat Packaging information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$15

$16

How much do meat packaging jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat packaging in Iowa is $15.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.47 and $16.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a meat packaging job?

Meat packaging jobs involve preparing, wrapping, and labeling meat products for distribution and sale. Workers in this field typically handle tasks such as cutting, weighing, inspecting, and sealing various types of meat in a clean and safe environment. These roles are essential in ensuring that meat products are properly preserved and meet health and safety standards before reaching consumers. Meat packaging jobs are often found in processing plants, grocery stores, and warehouses, and may require adherence to strict hygiene protocols.

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

To thrive as a Meat Packer, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and the ability to follow food safety guidelines, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with meat processing equipment, packaging machinery, and compliance with USDA or HACCP standards is typically required. Reliability, teamwork, and a focus on cleanliness are important soft skills in this role. These skills ensure products are packaged safely and efficiently while maintaining quality and meeting regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced in a meat packaging role, and how can they be managed effectively?

Meat packaging roles often involve working in cold environments and performing repetitive tasks, which can be physically demanding. Employees must also adhere to strict hygiene and safety protocols to ensure product quality and prevent contamination. To manage these challenges, it’s important to dress appropriately for the temperature, take scheduled breaks to prevent fatigue, and follow all safety guidelines closely. Many companies also provide on-the-job training and encourage teamwork, which helps employees adapt and maintain a supportive work environment.

What is the difference between Meat Packaging vs Meat Processing?

AspectMeat PackagingMeat Processing
Primary FocusPackaging and preparing meat products for distributionTransforming raw meat into finished products through cutting, grinding, and curing
Work EnvironmentPackaging lines, cold storage facilitiesProcessing plants, slaughterhouses
Required CertificationsFood safety, OSHA safety trainingFood safety, HACCP certifications
Industry UsageFood packaging companies, meat suppliersMeat processing plants, slaughterhouses

Meat Packaging focuses on preparing meat products for sale by packaging and labeling, while Meat Processing involves transforming raw meat into various products through cutting, curing, and other techniques. Both roles are essential in the meat industry but differ in their primary tasks and work environments.

How much does a meat packaging worker make?

A meat packaging worker typically earns between $12 and $18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer. The job often requires physical stamina and familiarity with packaging equipment, with some positions offering overtime pay or shift differentials.

Is meat packaging a hard job?

Meat packaging is a physically demanding job that involves repetitive tasks, standing for long periods, and working in cold environments. It requires attention to safety protocols and often involves operating packaging machinery, making it moderately challenging but manageable with proper training.

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Meat Packaging jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Meat Packaging job openings:

Infographic showing various Meat Packaging job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,432 per year, or $15.1 per hour.

Meat Cutter

Mason City, IA • On-site

HyVee
Retail • 10K+ employees

$15 - $19.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Hy-Vee rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 1,676 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Additional Considerations (if any):

-

At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise "a helpful smile in every aisle" and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Description:

Job Title: Meat Specialist

Department: Meat

FLSA: Non-Exempt

General Function

The meat specialist is a fully skilled job that cuts and merchandises all fresh meat commodities.

Core Competencies

  • Partnerships
  • Growth mindset
  • Results oriented
  • Customer focused
  • Professionalism

Reporting Relations

Accountable and Reports to: District Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Operations, Perishables, Health Wellness Home; Service Managers; Meat Department Manager or Assistant Meat Department Manager where applicable.

Positions that Report to you: None

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service by exhibiting caring, concern and patience in all customer interactions and treating customers as the most important people in the store.
  • Smiles and greets customers in a friendly manner, whether the encounter takes place in the employee's designated department or elsewhere in the store.
  • Makes an effort to learn customers' names and to address them by name whenever possible.
  • Assists customers by:
    • escorting them to the products they're looking for
    • securing products that are out of reach
    • loading or unloading heavy items
    • making note of and passing along customer suggestions or requests
    • performing other tasks in every way possible to enhance the shopping experience.
  • Answers the telephone promptly and provides friendly, helpful service to customers who call.
  • Works with co-workers as a team to ensure customer satisfaction and a pleasant work environment.
  • Tenderizes, grinds, and cuts merchandise.
  • Prepares cutting lists for case fills.
  • Conducts cutting tests.
  • Orders new items (not strictly for replenishment).
  • Monitors refrigeration for proper temperatures.
  • Maintains strict adherence to department and company guidelines related to personal hygiene and dress.
  • Adheres to company policies and individual store guidelines.
  • Reports to work when scheduled and on time.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manages the department in the absence of the department manager and assistant department manager
  • Wraps, weighs, and labels product
  • Performs cleaning in the department
  • Replenishes and organizes coolers
  • Assists in other areas of store as needed
  • Performs other job related duties and special projects as required

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages the department in the absence of the Department Manager and Assistant Department Manager

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Worker Characteristics

  • Must be able to solve practical problems; variety of variables with limited standardization; interpret instructions.
  • Must have the ability to do arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages.
  • Have the ability to file, post, and mail materials; copy data from one record to another; talk with customers to identify their requests; guide people and provide basic direction.

Education and Experience

High School or equivalent, Hy-Vee food safety training. Over one year of related work experience preferred

Physical Requirements

  • Must be physically able to exert up to 100 pounds of force (energy exerted) occasionally; exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently; and exert up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  • Visual requirements include vision from less than 20 inches to more than 20 feet with or without correction, depth perception, color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), and field of vision.
  • Must be able to perform the following physical activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Working Conditions

This position is exposed daily to dirt, noise, temperature extremes, dampness, vibrations, equipment movement hazards, cleaning chemicals/solvents, and electrical shock. This is a fast paced work environment.

Equipment Used to Perform Job

Power ban saw, Grinder, Tenderizer, Slicker, Bone duster (where applicable), Knives, Tumblers, Automatic patty machine (where applicable), Automatic stuffier, Wrapping system, Rotisserie, Pallet jack, Familiar with software.

Confidentiality

Has access to confidential information such as cutting tests, tonnage sheets, monthly reports, and projection sheets.

Contacts

Has daily contact with customers and the general public, and vendors/suppliers in the absence of the department manager.

Are you ready to smile, apply today.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.


What Hy-Vee employees say

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Benefits

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Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Hy-Vee logo

About Hy-Vee

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hy-Vee, based in West Des Moines, IA, US, operates within the supermarket industry. Founded in 1930 by Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg, the company began as a small general store in Beaconsfield, Iowa. Over the years, Hy-Vee has evolved into a network of more than 245 supermarkets across 8 states in the Midwest. They offer a wide range of products and services, including grocery, bakery items, delicatessen, floral, and other specialty departments. With a company motto of “A helpful smile in every aisle”, Hy-Vee's mission is to make each customer's life easier, healthier, and happier. They have received several awards for their commitment to healthy living, customer service and community outreach.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1930