Job Post Summary
Date posted: 7 August 2026
Pay: Competitive apprenticeship salary, discussed at interview
Job Description: Apprentice Butcher – Premium Retail Butchery
Location: Knowle, Solihull
Hours: Full-Time, 42.5 Hours per Week (5 Days Including One Weekend Day)
Salary: Competitive apprenticeship salary, discussed at interview
Qualification: Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship
About Eric Lyons
Eric Lyons is an award-winning, family-run butcher and fine food retailer in Knowle with over 120 years of heritage, a reputation for exceptional quality, outstanding customer service and a genuine passion for great food.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and hardworking Apprentice Butcher to join our experienced team at our flagship Knowle store.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to begin a long-term career in traditional retail butchery while working towards a nationally recognised Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship qualification.
No previous butchery experience is required. We are looking for someone with the right attitude, a genuine willingness to learn and a passion for working with high-quality fresh food.
The Opportunity
As an Apprentice Butcher, you will receive structured, hands-on training from experienced butchers while developing the practical skills, product knowledge and customer-service abilities required for a successful career in the trade.
You will learn every aspect of premium retail butchery, from preparing and displaying products to advising customers on cuts, cooking methods and meal ideas.
This is a practical, customer-facing role. You will work alongside experienced members of the team within a busy retail environment while completing the training and assessments required for your Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship qualification.
As your knowledge and confidence develop, you will gradually take on additional responsibilities and learn more advanced butchery skills.
What You Will Learn Practical Butchery Skills
- Identify different meat species, primal cuts and individual retail cuts.
- Safely use knives, steels and other butchery tools.
- Develop correct knife-handling, sharpening and maintenance techniques.
- Prepare and trim beef, lamb, pork and poultry.
- Cut, portion and prepare meat to customer requirements.
- Bone, roll, tie and finish different cuts of meat.
- Produce sausages, burgers, kebabs and other value-added products.
- Follow company specifications for portion size, presentation and quality.
- Minimise waste while maximising product quality and yield.
- Work safely and confidently within a professional butchery environment.
Customer Service and Product Knowledge
- Welcome customers and provide friendly, professional service.
- Develop detailed knowledge of different cuts and products.
- Advise customers on suitable cuts, portion sizes and cooking methods.
- Recommend products based on customer requirements.
- Accurately weigh, price, package and label products.
- Take customer orders and prepare products to individual specifications.
- Build positive relationships with regular customers.
- Support seasonal promotions and busy trading periods.
Counter Presentation and Merchandising
- Prepare attractive, well-stocked butchery displays.
- Replenish the counter throughout the trading day.
- Maintain excellent product presentation and availability.
- Follow stock-rotation and date-control procedures.
- Produce value-added products for seasonal and promotional displays.
- Ensure all products are correctly priced and labelled.
- Help maintain the premium presentation standards expected at Eric Lyons.
Food Safety and Compliance
- Follow all company food-safety, HACCP, COSHH and allergen-control procedures.
- Learn how to handle, prepare and store raw meat safely.
- Complete required temperature checks and due-diligence records.
- Follow cleaning and sanitising procedures.
- Prevent cross-contamination.
- Maintain excellent personal-hygiene standards.
- Use knives, machinery and equipment safely.
- Follow all company health-and-safety procedures.
- Support the store in maintaining a 5-star EHO food-hygiene rating.
Stock Control and Waste Management
- Assist with receiving, checking and correctly storing deliveries.
- Learn how to assess product quality and freshness.
- Follow correct stock-rotation procedures.
- Monitor product availability and help replenish stock.
- Minimise waste through careful preparation and portion control.
- Accurately record waste when required.
- Develop an understanding of product yield, cost and gross profit.
Apprenticeship Training
As part of this role, you will work towards a recognised Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship qualification.
Your apprenticeship will combine:
- Practical, hands-on training within our Knowle shop
- Support and mentoring from experienced butchers
- Workplace observations and assessments
- Butchery theory and product knowledge
- Food safety and health-and-safety training
- Customer-service and retail skills
- Off-the-job learning in line with apprenticeship requirements
- Regular progress reviews and support throughout the programme
You will be given dedicated time and support to complete the required training, coursework and assessments.
Essential
- A genuine interest in butchery, food and fresh produce.
- Strong willingness to learn and develop new skills.
- Positive, hardworking and hands-on attitude.
- Friendly and confident approach to customer service.
- Reliable, punctual and able to work as part of a team.
- Good attention to detail.
- Ability to follow instructions and company procedures.
- Willingness to handle and prepare raw meat.
- Commitment to completing the Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship qualification.
- Ability to work five days per week, including one weekend day.
- Willingness to work during busy seasonal periods, including Christmas.
Desirable
- Previous experience within food retail, hospitality, catering or customer service.
- An interest in cooking, food preparation or meat production.
- Basic knowledge of different meats and cooking methods.
- Previous experience working as part of a team.
- Food Safety and Hygiene qualification.
Previous butchery experience is not required. Full training will be provided throughout the apprenticeship.
Why Join Eric Lyons?Benefits
- 50% Staff Discount (up to £60 per week on full-priced items)
- Company Pension Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free Uniform
- Free On-Site/Local Parking
- 28 Days Paid Holiday Including Bank Holidays
- Your Birthday Off Every Year
- Christmas Bonus (Subject to Company Performance)
- Additional Long Service Holiday Entitlement
- Quarterly Staff Outings and Events
- Free Wisdom Wellness App Subscription
- Ongoing Training and Career Progression
- Support towards a recognised Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship qualification
- Hands-on training from experienced professional butchers
Career Progression
At Eric Lyons, we believe in developing people from within.
Many of our senior team members began their careers in shop-floor and trainee positions before progressing into skilled and leadership roles through training, mentoring and hard work.
Following successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into:
- Qualified Retail Butcher
- Senior Retail Butcher
- Butchery Supervisor
- Assistant Store Management
- Store Management
- Butchery Training and Development
- Multi-Site and Retail Operations Roles
This apprenticeship is designed for someone who wants to build a genuine, long-term career within the butchery and fresh-food industry.
If you are hardworking, passionate about food and excited by the opportunity to learn a skilled traditional trade, we would love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time, Apprenticeship
Benefits
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
Application Questions
- Why would you like to become a butcher?
- What interests you about working with fresh food?
- Are you able to work five days per week, including one weekend day?
Experience
- Food retail, hospitality or customer service: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
