SKILLED BUTCHER
At Macknade, we believe that exceptional meat starts with exceptional farming. We celebrate provenance, support British farmers who prioritise animal welfare and regenerative practices, and champion the principles of whole carcass butchery.
Our Butchery sits within our Food Hall and we pride ourselves on our outstanding meat on offer. We are proud to be certified as a butcher of 100% pasture fed beef in East Kent and we work with several farms in the South East that are certified by the PFLA.
Our Butchers play a vital role in bringing this ethos to life, transforming outstanding raw ingredients into exceptional products while helping customers understand the story behind every cut. Through skill, passion, and knowledgeable service, they ensure the integrity of our products is preserved from farm to fork.
If you’re passionate about traditional butchery, want to develop your skills, and take pride in working with quality produce from field to counter, you’ll fit right in with us.
THE ROLE
What you will do:
· Break down carcasses efficiently and accurately, maximising yield while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
· Prepare and present retail cuts to a consistently high standard of craftsmanship and presentation.
· Produce value-added products including sausages, burgers, marinades, kebabs, and seasonal specialities.
· Maintain excellent knife skills and safe working practices at all times.
· Champion the principles of traditional craft butchery and the importance of whole carcass utilisation.
· Deliver outstanding customer service, engaging confidently and enthusiastically with customers throughout their Macknade experience.
· Share knowledge of cuts, breeds, farming methods, provenance, and cooking techniques to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
· Inspire customer confidence by offering preparation advice, cooking recommendations, and meal solutions.
What we are looking for:
· A skilled Butcher with 5 years proven experience in butchery.
· Excellent understanding of carcass breakdown, seam butchery, yield management, and product preparation.
· Passion for traditional craft butchery and the preservation of butchery skills.
· Strong appreciation of high-welfare farming, sustainable agriculture, and quality food production.
· Excellent customer service skills with the confidence to share product knowledge and engage customers.
Why join Macknade?
· We are a genuinely collaborative, values-driven business
· You will have the chance to make a real impact in a well-loved local brand
· This is a role where you will be trusted, involved, and heard
· You will be surrounded by great people, great food, and a strong sense of purpose
BENEFITS
What you will get:
· 20% discount on products, with regular 30% discount weeks
· Discounts on all onsite partner facilities (Gym/Vets/Massage Therapy/Sauna/SpynLab)
· Regular team social activities throughout the year
· Fresh lunch everyday and on site parking
The salary for this role will be £35,360, the hours are 42.5 per week. Weekend and occasional evening work will be required
NEXT STEPS
To apply, please read the full job description below and submit a CV with a covering letter via our website www.macknade.com/careers.
Please note we do not guarantee a response to applications made via Indeed
Check us out on social media - @macknade on Instagram and Facebook.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post: Skilled Butcher
Department: Butchery
Key Responsibilities
Skilled Butchery & Product Preparation
- Demonstrate, or be willing to learn whole carcass butchery skills across beef, lamb, and pork.
- Break down carcasses efficiently and accurately, maximising yield while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
- Prepare and present retail cuts to a consistently high standard of craftsmanship and presentation.
- Produce value-added products including sausages, burgers, marinades, kebabs, and seasonal specialities.
- Maintain excellent knife skills and safe working practices at all times.
- Minimise waste through skilled carcass utilisation and a thorough understanding of product yields.
- Ensure all products reflect the quality and standards expected of the Macknade butchery.
Product Quality & Provenance
- Champion the principles of traditional craft butchery and the importance of whole carcass utilisation.
- Develop a thorough understanding of the provenance of the meat sold within the butchery.
- Promote Macknade's commitment to high welfare, regenerative agriculture, and Pasture for Life farming systems.
- Ensure all products are prepared, displayed, and sold in a manner that reflects their quality and story.
- Take pride in maintaining exceptional standards of freshness, presentation, and consistency.
Customer Experience
- Deliver outstanding customer service, engaging confidently and enthusiastically with customers throughout their Macknade experience.
- Share knowledge of cuts, breeds, farming methods, provenance, and cooking techniques to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
- Inspire customer confidence by offering preparation advice, cooking recommendations, and meal solutions.
- Build meaningful relationships with customers through genuine passion, expertise, and service.
- Actively promote the values and ethos of the Macknade butchery, ensuring customers understand what makes our products unique.
- Accurately process customer transactions and support the smooth operation of the retail counter.
Counter Management & Merchandising
- Maintain counter displays to the highest standards of presentation, stock availability, and cleanliness.
- Ensure products are attractively merchandised and clearly labelled.
- Monitor stock rotation and freshness to minimise waste and maximise quality.
- Support stock takes and inventory management activities.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Maintain and adhere to all HACCP procedures and food safety standards.
- Ensure all monitoring, recording, and compliance requirements are completed accurately.
- Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness throughout the butchery.
- Comply fully with health and safety legislation, company policies, and food hygiene requirements.
Team Contribution
- Participate positively in staff meetings and training activities.
- Share skills and knowledge with colleagues to help develop the craft butchery capabilities of the wider team.
- Support the Macknade vision, ethos, and values in every aspect of the role.
- Demonstrate positive personal and professional behaviours in line with the Staff Code of Conduct.
- Undertake any additional duties reasonably requested by management.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- 5 years proven experience in butchery.
- Advanced knife skills and strong technical butchery ability.
- Excellent understanding of carcass breakdown, seam butchery, yield management, and product preparation.
- Passion for traditional craft butchery and the preservation of butchery skills.
- Strong appreciation of high-welfare farming, sustainable agriculture, and quality food production.
- Excellent customer service skills with the confidence to share product knowledge and engage customers.
- Ability to work efficiently while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
- Strong communication and organisational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and pride in workmanship.
Desirable
- Experience in whole carcass butchery, or the willingness to learn.
- Experience working with Pasture for Life, native breed, organic, or high-welfare meat products.
- Experience producing value-added butchery products.
- Food Safety or HACCP qualifications.
- Previous experience in a premium retail, farm shop, or artisan food environment.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- Passionate about butchery.
- Enthusiastic about working with exceptional quality meat.
- An advocate for provenance, sustainability, and ethical food production.
- Customer-focused and confident in sharing knowledge.
- Proud of their craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- A positive team player who leads through example.
- Committed to maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of their work.
Pay: £35,360.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free flu jabs
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
