Meat Specialist

The Amana Society, a legacy corporation in Iowa, has been raising cattle and producing high-quality meat products since 1855. Known for superior meats and food products, the Amana brand is recognized nationally for quality pork and beef. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a self-motivated and flexible individual for our new role of Meat Specialist. Experienced meat cutters with technical skills, attention to detail, safety consciousness, and team-oriented attitudes are encouraged to apply.

The Meat Specialist is a shared position between Amana Farms Beef, a direct-to-consumer beef program, and the Amana Meat Shop, a long-time retail, online, and wholesale provider of fresh and smoked meats.

Responsibilities

· Use knives and other cutting tools to trim excess fat, skin, or bones from fresh meat products. Cut meat into portions suitable for sale or further processing.

· Operate meat grinders to produce ground meat products, such as hamburger patties or sausage.

· Wrap and package meat products, labeling them accurately with weight, price, and other relevant information.

· Assist in producing smoked meats from start to finish, including meat preparation, smoking, and packaging.

· Operate and monitor smokehouses and related equipment to prepare and smoke various types of meat according to specified recipes and standards.

· Assist in inventory management, including tracking raw materials and finished products.

· Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas according to food safety standards to ensure a sanitary and safe environment.

· Assist in packaging and shipping the finished product for delivery via UPS or FedEx. This position will have an active role in shipping during the holiday season (November & December)

Requirements

· Follow all food safety regulations, including proper handling, storage, and temperature control of meat products.

· Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized recipes and procedures to ensure consistency and quality.

· Ability to work well in a fast-paced team environment, collaborating with other staff members to meet production goals and ensure high-quality standards.

· Flexibility to work additional hours as necessary during peak seasons.

Work Environment

· Willingness to work in a refrigerated environment, perform physically demanding tasks, and stand for long periods.

· Ability to lift 50 lbs. regularly and up to 70 lbs. occasionally.

· Position occurs in a USDA food production environment. The current schedule for this position is Monday -Friday with seasonal weekends (November – December)

· This position is not eligible for remote work.

Education and Experience:

· High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

· Basic computer skills required.

· Previous experience as a meat cutter or butcher is preferred, but training may be provided for candidates with a strong interest in the field.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Meat Cutting: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Amana, IA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person