Butcher's Apprentice / Sausage Maker

MaineGuide; Kennebunk (ME); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Quarterly profit sharing

Paid vacation

Employee discount

Job summary

Short Creek Meats is seeking a Butcher's Apprentice / Sausage Maker in Kennebunk, ME. This is not a slaughter position; training will be provided as you learn from sides to value-added products in a hands-on setting.

The role involves fabricating cuts, producing sausages and salumi, and supporting daily production schedules. It offers full-time weekday hours with benefits including health insurance, a 401(k) with match, profit sharing, vacation, and employee discounts.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in the food industry or another relevant field.
• Strong knife skills.
• Ability to take direction, follow instructions closely, and communicate challenges.
• Ability to execute repetitive tasks consistently, accurately, and efficiently.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as a team and communicate respectfully to coworkers.
• Ability to meet physical demands, including lifting 50 lb often and 75+ lb occasionally; cold environment.

Responsibilities

• Break down pork and beef carcasses from sides into subprimals and retail cuts.
• Manufacture value-added products, including sausages, cured meats, and salami.
• Execute production schedules and manage inventory.
• Implement food safety programs, including daily record keeping and sanitation tasks.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
• Assist senior staff and plant management throughout daily operations.

Skills

Knife skills

Communication

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

COMPANY DESCRIPTION Founded in 2015 by high school pals Jeff Backer and Dave Viola, Short Creek Farm got its start producing farrow-to-finish pastured pork and grassfed beef on 300 acres of field and forest in Northwood, New Hampshire. We’ve distinguished ourselves with our value-added products—including sausages, smoked meats, and dry salami—many of which are one-of-a-kind and highlight local or seasonal ingredients. In 2022 we opened Short Creek Meats, a brand new 6,000-sqft processing plant in Kennebunk, Maine, and we're always on the lookout for more hard-working folks with a passion for good food to join our tight-knit team. Because we’re small and growing rapidly, this is a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor and generate real, meaningful impacts each day as we develop together.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for an apprentice butcher eager to gain practical experience in myriad aspects of the meat industry, from the fabrication of retail cuts from whole carcasses to the production of a diverse array of value-added products. This is not a slaughter position; we receive pork and beef as sides in addition to other subprimals and trim ready for use in making value-added meats. While some familiarity with butchery and meat production is welcome, proficiency is not required. Training will be provided, making this position ideal for those with previous food industry experience but who are looking to acquire a new, in-demand set of skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Break down pork and beef carcasses from sides into subprimals and retail cuts


• Manufacture value-added products, including sausages, cured whole muscle meats, and salami


• Execute production schedules and manage inventory


• Implement food safety programs, including daily record keeping and sanitation tasks


• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements


• Assist senior staff and plant management throughout daily operations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of experience in the food industry or another relevant field


• Strong knife skills


• Ability to take direction, follow instructions closely, and communicate challenges


• Ability to execute repetitive tasks consistently, accurately, and efficiently


• Ability to collaborate effectively as a team and communicate respectfully to coworkers


• Ability to meet physical demands, including: lifting 50 lb often and 75+ lb occasionally; standing, bending, twisting, and other repetitive motions; and working for extended periods in a cold environment (50ºF)

Short Creek Meats is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and community. All employment decisions are based on the qualifications and merit of applicants and on business needs.

COMPENSATION

• Hourly: $18-22 per hour, depending on experience


• Schedule: full-time, weekday hours


• Benefits: health insurance, 401(k) with match, quarterly profit sharing, paid vacation, employee discount

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Those interested should apply via email. Please send a resume and letter of interest with “Butcher's Apprentice / Sausage Maker” in the subject line. For more information about the company, check us out at https://shortcreek.farm.