Job Title: Butcher / Apprentice Butcher
Location: Pontefract
Salary: Depending on experience
Job Type: Full time, permanent – 40 hours per week
Farmer Copleys is a Yorkshire based, award winning, diversified farm business offering a busy cafe, on site bakery, farm shop, production kitchen, Dessert parlour, private function hire facilities and outside seasonal events.
Our busy farm shop is open daily and offers a range of great tasting locally sourced items from a full butchery and deli offer, to fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables, home-made bakes and all the other treats and delights that taste so great. Superb home-made jams and preserves, sauces, dips, oils and every accompaniment you can imagine. We have our own home-made gelato, in-house bees and even gift items for that last-minute present or treat.
We are looking for someone who knows their stuff or willing to learn and can make a real impression, whilst playing their part in the day to day running of the Butchery.
This job will suit and individual who really has a passion and appreciation for top quality meat and butchering with the drive to personalise and make a name for this department.
For the Butcher role we are looking for:
* A proven experienced retail butcher with experience in all aspects of butchery, knife skills and counter work.
* A keen eye for detail and creativity for producing the most attractive product displays
* Ability to manage deliveries and transfers for our café use.
* Excellent and professional customer service skills; which include dealing with enquires, queries and resolving complaints - Our customers are our priority.
* The ability to drive sales through promotional ideas and creativity to bring seasonal offers/ideas
* A perfectionist when it comes to hygiene and presentation
* A real passion for meat!
The successful candidate will be/possess:
* A friendly, enthusiastic and personable individual.
* Flexibility on days to work - every other weekend rota
* Excellent interpersonal & organisational skills.
* Smart in appearance with high standards
* Experience within a retail environment (preferably 5yrs plus experience is desirable due to product range)
* Hardworking, honest, reliable and passionate about their work
* Have sound knowledge of Hygiene, Health and Safety.
* Ability to safely lift, carry, and move meat products weighing up to 25-30 kg
For the Apprentice Role we are looking for the following:
As an Apprentice Butcher, you will learn every aspect of the trade, including:
* Preparing, cutting, and presenting meat to a high standard
* Maintaining excellent hygiene and food safety practices
* Serving customers with confidence and excellent service
* Understanding different cuts, techniques, and product knowledge
* Working as part of a supportive, hands-on team
No previous experience is required - just a genuine interest in butchery, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn.
What We Offer:
* Full training delivered by experienced butchers
* A recognised qualification in butchery
* Real progression opportunities within the business
* Competitive apprentice wage
* A positive, encouraging work environment
About You:
* Enthusiastic and reliable
* Keen to learn practical skills
* Good attention to detail
* Friendly and comfortable speaking with customers
* Able to work in a fast-paced environment
Benefits for both roles:
Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme
Staff Discount (25%)
Flexible hours/shifts
Health & wellbeing programme (after 12m service)
On-site parking
Please attach both a CV and also a Cover Letter to specify which role you’re applying for.
Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Meat Cutter, Meat Clerk, Meat Trimmer, Slaughterman, Blockman, Meat Specialist, Butchery Manager, Meat Department Manager, Junior Butcher, Apprentice Meat Cutter, may also be considered for this role