Meat Cutter

Central Meats & Almost Catered; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Meats & Almost Catered is hiring an Experienced Meat Cutter in Chesapeake, VA. You will support the fresh meat department, ensuring product freshness, safety, and quality while delivering excellent customer service.

You will cut, grind, weigh, and wrap various meats, take special orders, and maintain accurate records. This role requires knowledge of meat cuts, safe equipment use, and the ability to work in cold environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in a meat department or butcher shop.
• Proficient knife skills and safe handling of all meat equipment.
• Knowledge of meat cuts and processing techniques for a wide variety of animals.
• Able to work in cold environments (freezers as low as 0°F) for extended periods.
• Able to lift up to 80 lbs and be able to stand, bend, twist, and walk during shifts.
• Fluent in English (read, write, speak).

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service—customers are our top priority.
• Cut, grind, weigh, and wrap beef, pork, chicken, lamb, goat, and deer.
• Take and fill special orders, make recommendations to customers.
• Maintain product rotation and freshness by checking dates and inventory.
• Operate meat saws, grinders, tenderizers, cubers, and other tools safely.
• Receive and inspect meat deliveries and ensure proper storage.
• Keep coolers and freezers organized, sanitized, and compliant.
• Complete daily grind logs and other required documentation.
• Follow company guidelines for pricing, labeling, and reworking meat products.
• Maintain clean and sanitary tools, trays, lugs, and work areas.
• Report maintenance needs and equipment issues to management.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with team members and leadership.

Skills

Proficient knife skills

Safe handling of equipment

Meat cuts knowledge

English fluency

Customer service

Tools

Meat saws

Grinders

Tenderizers

Cubers

Job description

Now Hiring: Experienced Meat Cutter

Join our team and help us deliver world-class meat products with precision, care, and outstanding customer service.

Location: Central Meats & Almost Catered: 1120 Kempsville Road. Chesapeake, VA 23320

Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Saturday | Between 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM (with rotating days off)

Compensation: Based on experience

Job Summary

We are seeking an Experienced Meat Cutter to support the daily operations of our fresh meat department. You'll play a critical role in ensuring product freshness, safety, and quality, while maintaining clean, safe, and organized work areas. This role also requires exceptional customer service and knowledge of a wide range of meat processing techniques.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide exceptional customer service—our customers are our top priority
• Accurately cut, grind, weigh, and wrap beef, pork, chicken, lamb, goat, and deer
• Take and fill special orders, make suggestions, and offer product recommendations
• Maintain product rotation and freshness by checking dates and inventory
• Operate meat saws, grinders, tenderizers, cubers, and other tools safely and efficiently
• Receive and inspect meat deliveries, ensuring accurate inventory and proper storage
• Keep coolers and freezers organized, sanitized, and within compliance standards
• Complete daily grind logs and other required documentation accurately
• Follow all company guidelines for pricing, labeling, and reworking meat products
• Maintain clean and sanitary tools, trays, lugs, and work areas
• Report maintenance needs and equipment issues to management
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with team members and leadership

What We’re Looking For:

• Previous experience in a meat department or butcher shop
• Proficient knife skills and safe handling of all meat equipment
• Knowledge of meat cuts and processing techniques for a wide variety of animals
• Able to work in cold environments (freezers as low as 0°F) for extended periods
• Capable of lifting up to 80 lbs., bending, twisting, standing, and walking throughout your shift
• Comfortable using computer scanner devices and basic documentation
• Strong attention to detail, cleanliness, and product safety
• Dependable, punctual, and flexible with changing schedules
• Must speak, read, and write in English fluently
• Positive attitude and commitment to teamwork and integrity

Why Join Us?

We offer a fast-paced, respectful environment for meat professionals who take pride in doing the job right the first time. If you're reliable, skilled, and passionate about quality meat cutting, we want to hear from you.

Important Disclaimer Notice:

The above statements are only intended to represent the essential job responsibilities and general nature of the work being performed, and are not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Central Meats reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of business, competitive considerations, or work environment change. This job description is NOT a guarantee of employment.

Our story begins in June of 1960, when Earl L. Edmonson started a business called Central Food Service Inc.
He purchased Cobb's Locker Plant, located at 116 Cherry Street in Suffolk, Virginia. They offered lockers for folks to store their food, sold wholesale & retail meats and provisions, as well as running a Freezer Food Plan. Central Food Service Inc. gained attention and popularity, soon boasting a respectable customer base, a full staff of salesmen and numerous delivery trucks. Earl and his employees soon found themselves working long days, night shifts and even extending hours to incorporate a second shift as the company grew.
Earl and his wife, Ernestine, started a family to grow with their business. The couple raised two girls and a boy; Laura, Janice and Richard. Although it was hard work, the business often brought the family together as something that everyone shared. At some point in their lives, all of Earl's children and his wife worked at Central. After high school, Richard began working for the company full time.
In 1972, things changed for Central. The State Highway Department needed to build an overpass directly over the top of the Cherry Street location, and Earl figured it was a sign. He sold the Central building and purchased Meixel's Meats shortly afterwards.
As far as the records show, meat has been sold from this location continuously, as far back as 1935.
There had been industry innovations since the 30's and Earl lost no time in updating the new space by adding on a second building structure, walk-in freezer, a cooler, and finally office and retail areas. The tried and true came along for the move as well; all of the employees, equipment and merchandise. The new location opened for business in June of 1972, dubbed Central Meats, and has remained in that same spot to this day.
In 1990 Central Meats expanded to include Almost Catered, a successful foray into events and gatherings. This prosperity is due to the Central Meats mission, unchanged since the Cherry Street days, which is to always offer the best quality at a lower price than the competitor, and to provide superior customer service at all times.
Thank you for your patronage of Central Meats, a Hampton Roads hallmark. We appreciate your business and we look forward to seeing your smiling face browsing our meat selection.
Nobody leaves empty-handed, so come on down if you've never been. We've got a free pound of sausage for you - because we know you'll be back after you taste it.
See you soon!
We Look for Hard Working, Dedicated, People who take Pride in doing the job right the First Time. Good Attitude, Patience, Stress Tolerance. Work well with Tough Customers. If you think you have these Skills and Talents.