Trainee Butcher
Job Role: Trainee Butchers
Closing Date: 3.00pm on Thursday 18th September 2025
About us:
Cranswick is one of the largest food producers in the United Kingdom and have stayed true to our simple ethos - to create authentically made British food, without compromise.
People are at the heart of the business - from the farm to the factory to the retail shelf, our people deliver exceptional food experiences. We were founded on expertise, but we are also entrepreneurs, seeking out opportunities, encouraged by our culture that allows great commercial ideas to flourish.
Learn your craft at Cranswick
We are seeking motivated individuals to join our team as Trainee Butchers. Through a structured 12-week on boarding programme, you will gain the essential technical skills required for butchery in a production environment, including safe knife handling, carcass breakdown, trimming and quality control.
On successful completion of your probation period, you will progress onto an NVQ Level 2 in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills.
Key responsibilities
- Learning core butchery techniques including boning and trimming
- Operating within a fast-paced production line environment to meet efficiency and yield targets
- Adhering to food hygiene, HACCP and Health & Safety standards always
- Working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve production schedules
- Contributing to stock control, waste reduction and quality assurance processes
Training & Progression
- A structured 12-week on boarding and skills development programme with regular set milestones
- Mentoring and support
- NVQ Level 2 in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills with the opportunity to progress to level 3 upon completion of level 2
What we’re looking for
- A genuine interest in learning butchery skills (previous experience is not essential)
- Good attention to detail and ability to follow instruction and specification
- A team player with reliability and strong work ethic
What we offer
- Competitive pay with progression based on competency (earning potential up to £17.49)
- Full internal and external training provided
- Employee benefits
- A clear development pathway within the butchery and wider production team
Hours
40 hours per week, Monday to Friday - 06:00 – 14:30
Benefits:
Company Shares employee discounts
Cranswick Country Foods (Ballymena) are an equal opportunities employer