Homemade Sausage Specialist Full Time

Mackenthun's Fine Foods - Waconia; Waconia (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Sick & Safe Time

10% discount at Mackenthun’s locations

Referral bonuses

Dietitian services

Job summary

Mackenthun's Fine Foods - Waconia is seeking a Homemade Sausage Specialist to join our award-winning smokehouse team. You will produce summer sausage, brats, bacon, and hams while upholding safety and quality standards.

You will assist customers, share product knowledge, and help with recipe development while contributing to an exceptional guest experience. This full-time role requires flexibility for days and weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; sausage-making schooling preferred.
• Experience in meat department, grocery, or food service is a plus.
• Strong knife skills and ability to work quickly in a busy environment.
• Comfort with lifting up to 80 lbs and standing for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Perform all sausage-making functions: processing, seasoning, curing, and temperature control.
• Safely operate sausage-making equipment: mixers, stuffers, grinders, slicers.
• Store and rotate smokehouse supplies to maintain freshness and quality.
• Operate and maintain equipment; keep area clean and organized.
• Package, label, and inventory products according to specs.
• Stock products on sales floor; maintain product presentation.
• Assist Meat Service Case customers with product knowledge and service.
• Contribute to recipe development and new product ideas.
• Support other areas of the meat department as needed.
• Help minimize losses from improper handling or spoilage.

Skills

Sausage making

Knife skills

Customer service

Heavy lifting

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma or GED

Sausage-making school preferred

Tools

Mixers

Meat grinders

Slicers

Pallet jack

Job description

Description

The Homemade Sausage Specialist is responsible for creating Mackenthun’s award-winning smokehouse products, including summer sausage, brats, bacon, smoked hams, and more. This role ensures the safe and efficient production of sausage products, maintains cleanliness and organization in the department, and provides exceptional customer service. Homemade Sausage Specialists contribute to Mackenthun’s Exceptional Experience by promoting and sharing product knowledge with customers.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform all sausage-making functions, including processing, seasoning, curing, and temperature control.
• Safely and efficiently operate sausage-making equipment such as mixers, sausage stuffers, meat grinders, slicers, and more.
• Properly store and rotate smokehouse production supplies to ensure freshness and quality.
• Operate and maintain sausage and smokehouse kitchen equipment, ensuring they are clean and in good working condition.
• Clean, rinse, and sanitize all sausage and smokehouse equipment regularly.
• Package, label, and inventory products according to department specifications.
• Stock products on the sales floor, rotating items for freshness and optimal product presentation.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, performing general housekeeping functions throughout the department.
• Assist customers at the Meat Service Case, providing product knowledge and exceptional service.
• Contribute to recipe development and innovation for new products.
• Assist in other areas of the meat department as needed.

Requirements

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required. Sausage-making school is preferred.
• Previous experience in a meat department, grocery store, restaurant, or food service is preferred.
• Culinary experience, including knife skills, is preferred.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment.
• Ability to minimize department losses due to improper handling, storage, or spoilage of products.
• Strong interest in selling food and promoting Mackenthun's Exceptional Experience.
• Desire to learn the characteristics and qualities of Mackenthun's products and services, particularly the signature items.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.

Full Time - days/rotating weekend

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a multifaceted, fast-paced environment
• Capable of lifting and carrying up to 80 lbs and pushing/pulling up to 1500 lbs with a pallet jack
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.

Benefits Summary for Full Time:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401k
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Long Term & Short Term Disability
• Hospital, Critical Illness, Accident
• Paid Vacation and Paid Holidays
• Sick & Safe Time
• Shift differentials for working Sundays & Holidays
• 10% discount at any Mackenthun’s locations
• Referral bonuses
• Dietitian services