Butcher

Role overview

This position focuses on preparing, cutting, displaying, and selling meat products in a retail setting. The role is expected to support a positive store image through polite, efficient, and helpful customer service at all times. Work must follow store and team standard operating procedures, as well as all health, food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements. Team members may also need to take on related tasks from other roles when needed, and help uphold company values, goals, and store initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Cut, arrange, and merchandise beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry, and similar products.
• Prepare specialty meat items such as sausages, oven-ready products, and cured meats.
• Inspect products to confirm they meet quality expectations.
• Support in-store sampling activities.
• Watch for spoilage and help reduce product loss.
• Guide and assist assigned Meat Cutter Trainees.
• Show up on time, properly groomed and ready for work, and attend assigned shifts, trainings, and meetings.
• Serve customers well, respond quickly to questions or concerns, and use suggestive selling where appropriate; answer phones and pages promptly and courteously.
• Increase sales by following proper methods for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and displaying products.
• Follow rules related to weights and measures, food safety, sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Keep the work and shopping areas clean and sanitary, and maintain equipment to required safety and cleanliness standards.
• Handle opening, mid-shift, and closing duties as assigned, including sign and price accuracy.
• Report safety issues and violations immediately.
• Carry out other duties assigned by store, regional, or national leadership.

Skills and job knowledge

The role requires a solid grasp of meat department processes, strong cutting ability, familiarity with meat and seafood cuts and cooking methods, and the ability to judge freshness and quality. It also calls for clear communication, teamwork, organization, time management, customer service confidence, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment with urgency.

Experience and working conditions

A retail background of at least 14 months is required, along with completion of the Whole Foods Market Butcher Apprentice Program or an equivalent training program, where applicable. The job also requires physical stamina and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. In an 8-hour shift, standing and walking may take 6 to 8 hours. The work involves single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching. There may be exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals, freezing temperatures below 32°F, refrigeration temperatures of 32–40°F, and temperatures above 90°F. The role is performed in wet and cold conditions and requires safe handling of knives, cutting tools, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery. A flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays is required as needed.

Additional information

The job summary is intended to cover the main duties of the role, but it is not a complete list. Responsibilities may expand as an employee moves to higher job levels, and requirements can differ by location, department, or business needs. Promotion to a higher level depends on successful performance, a real business need, and being the most qualified candidate. Training milestones, advanced education, certifications, or time in role do not automatically guarantee promotion.

Compensation and benefits

The pay range for this position is hourly, from $21.00 to $30.00, depending on experience. Full-time and part-time team members may be eligible for a benefits package that can include store discounts, paid time off, financial wellness support, health and wellness programs, and other team-member perks. Benefit eligibility depends on the applicable plan terms, date of hire, work location, length of service, and job type.

Equal opportunity

The employer is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Applicants who need help or a reasonable accommodation during the application process should contact the local Human Resources office at the worksite.

Important notice

Candidates are encouraged to use the company’s own career channel when applying, since third-party job listings may be outdated or inaccurate.