Food Production Operator

Mason's Meats - Proper Food; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

2 weeks paid time off + company paid,

Growth opportunities

Complimentary Mason's products

Job summary

Mason's Meats is building its Austin production team. As a Food Production Operator, you will participate in all stages from raw beef handling to dehydration and packaging, contributing to a hands-on, quality-focused operation.

The role emphasizes working in a refrigerated environment, strict adherence to procedures, and a team-oriented culture as we grow the business in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Comfortable handling raw beef and working around food-production equipment.
• Comfortable with extended periods in refrigerated/cold conditions.
• Reliable and punctual, able to follow production procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and keep accurate production records.
• Comfortable with cleaning and sanitation as part of the job.
• Able to work well as part of a small, hands-on team.
• Must obtain a current Food Handler Certificate within the required timeframe after hire.
• Must eat beef.

Responsibilities

• Meat handling, preparation, trimming, slicing, and safe handling per quality standards.
• Process beef for dehydration and preparation for dehydration.
• Load, operate, and unload dehydrators; maintain product quality.
• Complete production records and ensure batch traceability; report issues.
• Clean, sanitize, inspect, and reassemble production equipment and areas.
• Assist with packaging, receiving, sanitation, and other activities when trained.

Skills

Meat handling

Food safety

Detail orientation

Team player

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Tools

Meat slicers

Dehydration equipment

Job description

Austin, Texas | Production | Full-time | Reports to Plant Manager

About Mason's Meats

We make premium beef jerky and meat snacks using a deliberately simple approach: high-quality beef and sea salt. No additives. No sugar. No nonsense.

At our core, Mason's Meats is about a return to real food in a world increasingly filled with unnecessary ingredients, fillers, and shortcuts. We believe great meat products should start with great ingredients and be made properly.

We're now bringing Mason's Meats to the U.S. and building our production operation in Austin, Texas. Our Austin team will play a hands‑on role in establishing the systems, standards, and culture that will support the business as we grow.

We're looking for people who take pride in doing things properly, enjoy working as part of a small team, and want the opportunity to grow with us as we build something from the ground up.

The Role

As a Food Production Operator at Mason's Meats, you'll be at the heart of our Austin production operation and involved throughout the jerky‑making process, from handling and slicing raw beef through dehydration and supporting finished‑product packaging.

This is a hands‑on role in a small, growing team. You'll be trained across multiple areas of production, and a significant part of the position involves preparing and slicing raw beef inside a refrigerated cooler for extended periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Meat Handling & Preparation: Safely prepare, trim, slice, and handle raw beef to Mason's Meats quality standards
• Processing: Slicing, seasoning, and preparing beef for dehydration
• Dehydration: Load, operate, and unload commercial dehydrators while helping maintain consistent product quality
• Quality & Traceability: Complete required production records, maintain batch identification and traceability, and report food‑safety or quality concerns
• Cleaning & Sanitation: Clean, sanitize, inspect, and reassemble production equipment and work areas as required
• Team Support: Assist with packaging, receiving, sanitation, and other production activities when trained

Requirements

• Comfortable handling raw beef and working around commercial food‑production equipment
• Comfortable working for extended periods in refrigerated and cold conditions
• Reliable, punctual, and able to follow production procedures consistently
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to maintain accurate production and traceability records
• Comfortable with cleaning and sanitation as part of the normal job
• Able to work well as part of a small, hands‑on team
• Must obtain a current Food Handler Certificate within the required timeframe after hire
• Must eat beef

Desirable Skills

• Previous food‑production or meat‑processing experience
• Experience operating meat slicers or similar food‑processing equipment
• Experience working in refrigerated food‑production environments
• GMP, HACCP, or other food‑safety training

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Regular and sometimes extended work inside a refrigerated cooler while preparing and slicing raw meat
• Frequent standing, repetitive hand and arm movements, and handling of raw beef, trays, racks, tubs, tools, and production equipment
• Moving production materials using safe lifting practices, team lifting, or mechanical assistance when appropriate
• Work around slicers, knives, dehydrators, wet floors, cleaning equipment, and food‑grade sanitation chemicals
• Required food‑safety, cold‑weather, cut‑protection, and other assigned PPE must be worn when applicable

Benefits

• Starting pay: $21/hour
• Performance‑based bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 2 weeks paid time off, plus paid company holidays
• Opportunities for growth and advancement as Mason's expands
• Complimentary Mason's products