Butcher / Apprentice Butcher

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.