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Meat Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mackenthun's Fine Foods

Meat Specialist

Waconia, MN · On-site

$14 - $22/hr

Mackenthun's Meat Specialists are responsible for delivering high-quality customer service in the Meat Department while adhering to department standards and processes. They assist customers with meat ...

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Meat Specialist

Orange City, IA · On-site

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

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Meat Specialist

Orange City, IA · On-site

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

Meijer, Inc.

Meat Specialist

Jackson, MI · On-site

Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli, Grocery. What skills will you use? * You are detail-oriented and organized. * Strong listening and communications skills, face-to-face and virtually. * Willingness to ...

Meijer

Meat Specialist

Jackson, MI · On-site

Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli, Grocery. What skills will you use? * You are detail-oriented and organized. * Strong listening and communications skills, face-to-face and virtually. * Willingness to ...

Meijer, Inc.

Meat Specialist

Jackson, MI · On-site

Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli, Grocery. What skills will you use? * You are detail-oriented and organized. * Strong listening and communications skills, face-to-face and virtually. * Willingness to ...

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Meat Cutter

Marshall, MN · On-site

$12 - $15/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

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Meat Cutter

Ashwaubenon, WI · On-site

$14.75 - $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:

Hy-Vee

Meat Cutter

Ashwaubenon, WI · On-site

$14.75 - $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:

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Meat Specialist information

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How much do meat specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat specialist in the United States is $16.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $18.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Meat Specialist vs Butcher?

AspectMeat SpecialistButcher
CredentialsKnowledge of meat cuts, food safety, and sometimes certifications in meat handlingTypically trained on the job or through apprenticeships, with some certifications in meat cutting
Work EnvironmentGrocery stores, specialty meat shops, or food production facilitiesButcher shops, grocery stores, meat processing plants
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in retail and food service to denote expertise in meat productsCommonly used to describe meat cutting and preparation roles

The main difference is that a Meat Specialist often has broader knowledge of meat products, including quality, sourcing, and customer service, while a Butcher primarily focuses on cutting, trimming, and preparing meat. Both roles may overlap, but Meat Specialists typically have a more comprehensive understanding of meat beyond just cutting.

What jobs can you get with a meat specialist degree?

A meat specialist degree prepares individuals for roles such as meat cutter, butcher, meat inspector, quality control technician, or meat processing supervisor. These jobs typically involve working in slaughterhouses, processing plants, or retail meat departments, often requiring knowledge of food safety standards and equipment operation.

What does a meat specialist do?

As a Meat Specialist in a retail environment, your day usually involves inspecting, cutting, and preparing various cuts of meat to meet customer and company standards. You'll also be responsible for maintaining proper inventory levels, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, and providing knowledgeable service to customers seeking advice on meat selection or preparation. Collaboration with other departments, such as deli or produce, is common to support promotions and ensure a cohesive customer experience. Attention to cleanliness, organization, and detail is essential for success in this role.

What is a meat specialist?

Meat Specialists are professionals who have expertise in selecting, cutting, preparing, and handling various types of meat, such as beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. They often work in grocery stores, butcher shops, or meat processing facilities. Their responsibilities include ensuring meat quality, advising customers on cuts and preparation methods, and maintaining food safety standards. Meat Specialists may also be responsible for inventory control and pricing. Their knowledge helps customers choose the best meats for their needs and ensures products meet health regulations.

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

To thrive as a Meat Specialist, you need in-depth knowledge of meat cuts, food safety standards, and product quality, often supported by experience in butchery or retail meat sales. Familiarity with meat processing equipment, inventory management systems, and certifications like ServSafe are commonly required. Excellent customer service, attention to detail, and effective communication help build customer trust and ensure compliance with safety protocols. These skills are vital for delivering high-quality products, meeting regulatory standards, and driving customer satisfaction in a competitive market.
More about Meat Specialist jobs
What cities are hiring for Meat Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Meat Specialist job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Meat Specialist jobs? The top employers for Meat Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Meat Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Meat Specialist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Meat Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Meat Specialist jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Meat Specialist jobs? For Meat Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Meat Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,087 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Meat Specialist

Houchens Food Group, Inc.

Bowling Green, KY • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Houchens Food Group rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 114 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 122 rated grocery stores

Job description

Description:

Job Title: Meat Specialist

Company: Houchens Food Group (HFG)

Department: Grocery/Meat Department Job Status: Full Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Senior Meat Merchandiser

Grade/Level: High School or Equivalent Amount of Travel Required: Limited travel required

Work Schedule: Positions Supervised:

Shift hours that best suits Meat Operations and Meat Department Manager / Associates

customer's needs. Nights and weekends may

be necessary.

About Us: At Houchens Food Group, we are committed to providing our customers with quality products and exceptional service. We believe in fostering a collaborative and empowering environment for our employees where through teamwork, our goals are achieved.

Position Overview: Responsibilities include shared ownership in achieving Budgeted Sales and Profitability Goals, and customer satisfaction in the Meat Departments across multiple store locations. You will work closely with District Managers, Store Managers and Departmental Employees to ensure operational excellence and adherence to company policies and standards.

Core Responsibilities:

  • Financials: Shared responsibility in achieving Budgeted Gross Profit and Sales Goals.
  • Leadership & Direction: Develop, support, motivate, and guide Store Managers, Meat Managers and Departmental Employees to achieve maximum sales and profitability while ensuring customer satisfaction within the operational budget.
  • Program Implementation: Ensure that Store Management and Departmental employees understand and effectively implement key departmental programs and standards, including Safety, Sanitation, Training, Processing, Pricing, Displaying, Merchandising, Weights and Tares, Scanning, Inventory, and Customer Service.
  • Communication: Act as a liaison between upper management and store personnel to effectively communicate the company vision and pertinent day-to-day information.
  • Support: Assist Store Managers with hiring, interviewing, training, demoting, terminating, conducting wage reviews, facilitating transfers, and labor setup for Meat Departments.
  • Training & Development: Train, grow, and mentor Department Managers to enhance their leadership skills and capabilities.
  • Performance Measurement: Continuously evaluate sales performance, cost control, shrinkage, labor, and gross profit within the Meat Department.
  • Team Collaboration: Work closely with District Managers, Store Managers, Department Managers, Store Teams, and Lead Specialists to foster great working relationships and achieve store objectives.

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience in a leadership role within the grocery or retail industry, preferably in the Meat Category.
  • Strong knowledge of Meat Department Operations, including safety and sanitation protocols.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to analyze performance metrics and implement effective strategies.
  • To possess a passion for mentoring and developing team members.
  • Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
  • Accurate - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
  • Assertiveness - Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
  • Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
  • Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.
  • Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures.
  • Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
  • Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
  • Leadership - Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions.
  • Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively supervise others.
  • Motivation - Ability to inspire oneself and others to reach a goal and/or perform to the best of their ability.
  • Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
  • Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
  • Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
  • Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
  • Self-Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.
  • Team Building - Ability to convince a group of people to work toward a goal.
  • Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.

Why Join Us? At Houchens Food Group, we value our employees and are committed to their growth and success. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment.

Education

High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)

Experience

2 Years Meat Management Exp.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office. (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)

Other Requirements

Required to have access to a phone at all times and able to perform basic math calculations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Abilities Lift /Carry

Stand F (Frequently) 10 lbs or less C (Constantly)

Walk F (Frequently) 11-20 lbs C (Constantly)

Sit O (Occasionally) 21-50 lbs F (Frequently)

Handling / Fingering C (Constantly) 51-100 lbs F (Frequently)

Reach Outward F (Frequently) Over 100 lbs O (Occasionally)

Reach Above Shoulder F (Frequently)

Climb O (Occasionally)

Crawl O (Occasionally)

Squat or Kneel F (Frequently)

Bend F (Frequently)

Push / Pull

12 lbs or less F (Frequently)

13-25 lbs F (Frequently)

26-40 lbs F (Frequently)

41-100 lbs O (Occasionally)

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Houchens Food Group is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or pregnancy. Applicants may request accommodations based on religious beliefs, disability, or pregnancy.

Requirements:


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