Meat Manager (Working Manager / Head Meat Cutter)

Meat Manager

Location: Vista, CA

Department: Meat

Reports To: Store Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $25.00 $30.00 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)

Position Summary

The Meat Manager is a hands-on working manager responsible for daily meat cutting, fabrication, and department leadership. This role requires an experienced meat cutter who actively works on the block while overseeing team performance, merchandising, food safety, and financial results.

Hands-on meat cutting and fabrication is an essential function of this role. This is not an administrative-only position.

Candidates must have prior, verifiable meat cutting experience and be able to demonstrate cutting proficiency as part of the interview process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Meat Cutting & Production (Primary Function)

• Cut, trim, bone, grind, and fabricate primal and subprimal cuts into retail-ready portions.
• Produce steaks, roasts, grinds, and value-added products according to company standards.
• Manage yield, trim recovery, and waste control to support gross margin targets.
• Fulfill custom cuts and special orders to customer specifications.
• Safely operate band saws, grinders, slicers, knives, and scales.

Department Leadership & Operations

• Supervise, train, coach, and schedule department associates.
• Lead by example as a working cutter during peak production hours.
• Plan and execute daily production based on sales forecasts and ad items.
• Oversee ordering, receiving, inspecting, and proper storage of all meat and seafood products.
• Monitor inventory levels, control shrink, and ensure proper product rotation (FIFO).

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including USDA, FDA, and California food safety requirements.
• Maintain sanitation standards for cases, prep areas, coolers, and storage areas.
• Enforce proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe knife-handling practices.
• Maintain required logs (temperature, cleaning, receiving, traceability).

Customer Service & Merchandising

• Provide knowledgeable, prompt, and courteous customer service.
• Maintain full, clean, and properly signed service cases and displays.
• Monitor product quality and remove unsellable or out-of-code merchandise.

Financial Accountability

• Monitor department sales, gross margin, labor, and shrink.
• Execute action plans to meet financial and operational goals.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with business needs and the overall scope of the role.

Required Qualifications (Strict Minimums)

• Minimum 2+ years of hands-on meat cutting experience (required).
• Ability to independently break down primal cuts into retail-ready portions (required).
• Minimum 2+ years of grocery or meat department experience.
• Prior supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of meat fabrication, yields, and retail merchandising.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate meat cutting skills during the interview process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a lead cutter, assistant meat manager, or meat manager.
• Experience in high-volume retail or specialty grocery environments.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Frequent standing and walking (up to 8 hours per shift).
• Frequent use of hands for cutting, grasping, and fine manipulation.
• Frequent bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to work in refrigerated (3240F), freezer (below 32F), and occasionally warm environments.
• Exposure to wet floors and cleaning chemicals.
• Ability to safely operate knives, saws, grinders, pallet jacks, and other equipment.

Work Schedule

Must be available to work flexible schedules including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Vacation and sick leave Flexible schedules Store discount

Additional Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age due to operation of hazardous equipment and applicable labor laws.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

EEO Statement

Frazier Farms Market is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to any legally protected status in accordance with applicable laws.