Job Information
Sunnyside Meat Packers Meat Cutter in Sunnyside, Washington
We are seeking a skilled, reliable Meat Cutter to join our custom-exempt cut & wrap team. This role is responsible for breaking down full beef, hog, and lamb carcasses into retail-ready cuts with accuracy, speed, and excellent food-safety practices. The ideal candidate has experience in carcass breakdown, enjoys hands-on work, and takes pride in producing clean, consistent cuts for local customers and farms.
Key Responsibilities
- Carcass Breakdown:
- Breakdown whole beef, pork, and lamb carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and customer requested cuts.
- Perform boning, trimming, portioning, and yield-maximizing cutting.
- Custom Cutting:
- Follow customer cut sheets accurately for steaks, roasts, ribs, chops, stew meat, ground products, etc.
- Communicate with the team when cut instructions need clarification.
- Equipment Operation & Care:
- Safely operate knives, saws, grinders, slicers, and other processing equipment.
- Maintain sharp tools and assist with daily cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and work areas.
- Food Safety & Compliance:
- Follow WSDA custom-exempt regulations, safe-handling procedures, and internal SOPs.
- Maintain proper product temperatures and prevent cross-contamination.
- Participate in sanitation, cooler rotation, and record-keeping as required.
- Maintain a current Food handlers card through Yakima Health District
- Packaging & Labeling:
- Wrap, weigh, and label finished cuts accurately.
- Prepare meat boxes and customer orders for pickup.
- Teamwork & Work Ethic:
- Work efficiently in a fast-paced, cold-environment production setting.
- Support coworkers and maintain a clean, respectful work environment.
Qualifications
- Required:
- Experience cutting beef, pork, or lamb in a butcher shop, meat plant, or similar environment.
- Ability to lift 60--80 lbs regularly and work in refrigerated conditions (34--40°F).
- Strong knife skills and understanding of carcass anatomy.
- Commitment to food safety, cleanliness, and consistent quality.
- Preferred:
- Experience in custom-exempt or USDA-inspected facilities.
- Familiarity with customer cut sheets and custom processing workflows.
- Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
Work Environment
- Cold-room cutting environment
- Standing for long periods
- Repetitive lifting, bending, and handling of heavy carcass sections
- Fast-paced, production-focused team setting