Free butcher job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
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Butcher job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Butcher
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Butcher who receives, cuts, wraps and displays meat and seafood to specification, keeping the work area clean and safe. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Receive, inspect and store meat and seafood
- Cut and debone fish or whole animal carcasses and grind meat
- Weigh and wrap meat, fish or related products for display or shipment
- Clean equipment and work areas to maintain health and sanitation standards
- Track inventory and order supplies to reduce waste
- Serve customers and prepare special cuts on request [retail]
What you need
- No formal education required; high school diploma preferred [if you prefer]
- Able to stand, lift [weight] and work in a cold environment
- Food handler certification [if required in your area]
- Comfort using knives and meat-cutting equipment
Nice to have
- Meat-cutting experience
- Customer service skills
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Ridgeway Meats, a family-owned butcher counter.
Ridgeway Meats is hiring a Butcher for our retail counter (Tuesday to Saturday, 6 a.m. start). You'll break down cuts, grind, wrap and help customers choose. We train on our cut list and safety procedures; a food handler card is required within [__] days.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a butcher does
A butcher receives, cuts, wraps and displays meat and seafood to specification, keeping the work area clean and safe. Typical duties include:
- Receive, inspect and store meat and seafood
- Cut and debone fish or whole animal carcasses and grind meat
- Weigh and wrap meat, fish or related products for display or shipment
- Clean equipment and work areas to maintain health and sanitation standards
- Track inventory and order supplies to reduce waste
- Serve customers and prepare special cuts on request retail
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says no formal educational credential is typically required, and some states and localities require a food handler's certification.
Training: Learned on the job; length varies by position and employer.
How much does a butcher make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
Do I need to train a new butcher on safety?
Yes. Knife, saw and grinder safety should be covered before the first solo shift. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes these skills are learned on the job, so budget the training time and write it down.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.