Butcher - RFT - Meat Lab

Department: Animal Biosciences
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

Duties and Responsibilities

The Department of Animal Biosciences has a (CFIA Establishment 183) for research, teaching and extension in all aspects of meat production. The Meat Science Laboratory includes a small scale meat packing plant for harvesting and processing operations. Reporting to the Meat Lab Manager, the Meat Lab Butcher is responsible for all aspects of abattoir operations from receiving of live animals to the dressing of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats carcasses.

This includes: 1) cutting meat from carcass breakdown through wholesale to retail cut preparation 2) ensuring compliance with federal food safety regulations for slaughter and processing operations, 3) cleaning, monitoring, and calibrating equipment, and 4) other associated duties. The incumbent will also be responsible for HACCP monitoring and compliance.

Requirements

• Secondary school diploma.
• Completion of a Food Handler Certificate, and/or certification from the Ontario Independent Meat Packers and Processors Accreditation Program, or equivalent, is preferred.
• Eighteen months of proven experience in all aspects of red meat slaughter, cutting, processing, and preparing meat products.
• Eighteen months of proven experience with kill floor, harvest floor, and cutting room equipment such as captive bolt stunning, electric hog stunner, carbon dioxide stunning equipment, pneumatic de-hider, hide puller, scalding dehairing machine, knives, saws, grinders, injectors, slicers, vacuum packaging, and cleaning equipment.
• Knowledge of cutting and boning procedures including strong knife skills and the ability to cut a carcass into primals, subprimals, and retail meat cuts.
• Strong understanding of HACCP for ensuring food safety.
• Knowledge of meat plant cleaning and sanitation procedures to maintain the Meat Science Laboratory to CFIA standards.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team with strong time management skills and attention to detail

Following the in-person interview, there will be a half hour hands-on test in the Meat Lab - processing pork cuts.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10929060
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 3
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

*Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026