Applied for a job at the local Kroger affiliate last week. But it seems they don't have meat-cutters anymore just "meat clerks" with a starting pay of $8 an hour! Holy carp. I think McDonald's pays more!
In my company a meat clerk is anyone that cannot operate a saw, or hold a knife. They can grind, tenderize, slice, wrap, or anything else which does not inclue a Knife or a saw.
Crazy eh? Meatcutters are a dying breed apparently. My Son works for Save on Foods in Lynn Valley, BC Canada. He is a "Meat Clerk". No meat cutting required. Everything comes "tray pack". In Fact.......The new "Super Walmart" in Chilliwack BC gets their meat from Calgary Alberta(TRay Pack)......I Am A Meatcutter! I don't want my supper cut a Province away...gassed and packed and here you go!I am happy to purchase mine and KNOW.... I cut it and it's FRESH!
The meat clerk is an important position within the meat department and the store. Many customers make their decisions to shop at our store because of the quality of the perishable departments. One of the areas, which influence customers' perceptions of the entire store, is the look and smell of the meat department. Even if the customer is not purchasing meat today, they want to look at meat that is appealing, bright in color, well merchandised, and without discoloration. This position is responsible for creating an appealing presentation of the tremendous variety and selection of steaks, chops, roasts, chicken, and other products that we offer. Each product must be fresh -- Looks good, smells odorless; with just the proper package firmness for the product.Must reach out to customers and encourage additional sales. Responsive to request, must learn to use slice machine for lunchmeat and small grinder for grinding meats. Meat must be handled correctly because of the extreme perishability of the product, the negative consequences of doing the job badly, and the really positive results that can affect the entire store. The meat cutter can make the difference by the way he or she does their job. We need to treat each individual customer like a guest in our home -- with courtesy, friendliness and the respect that they deserve.
Position Requirements
Able to read, write and speak English with reasonable proficiency. Possesses basic math skills. Able to communicate effectively with customer, associates, and others. Friendly and pleasant. Flexibility in scheduling hours; Be on time. Reliable, good work ethic, high integrity, and drug free. Clean, presentable appearance. Good customer service skills; Out-going and helpful. Ability to lift boxes at a minimum weight of 30 pounds. Ability to stand for four consecutive hours, without restrictions. Able to use a knife effectively and efficiently. Knows basic cuts of meat While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stands and frequently use hands. Frequently walk and reach with hands and arms, occasionally crouching and kneeling. Be able to climb a ladder to retrieve items stored in overhead racks such as meat trays and wrapping material. Be able to work in refrigerated coolers and cutting rooms, and be able to endure working under temperature extremes in frozen food storage coolers up to 10 minutes at a time. Must comply with all safety policies and procedures. Have sufficient physical mobility or agility to able to disassemble and clean meat department, saws, grinders, and other equipment.
You know, it just set me off. Here is this very popular, very busy chain store in my town and they employ NO meat cutters. They have a meat manager and some very poorly paid meat clerks. Wal-Mart I expect it out of, but Kroger? I remember my mom at dad shopping and Kroger and they had some pretty good meat. Does the average consumer not know the difference between fresh cut and gas pack? Or do they not care?
Meat monkey I think the younger female consumer doesn't know much nowadays, most didn't let momma teach them before leaving home. the young males only knew a Big Mac lol
meat Monkey, I guess Kroger is trying to go the way A&P did in the late 70's, getting rid of high dollar union cutters and replacing them with bag boys, BUT look what it did to A&P. Till they started that and trying to bust out the union by building AMART's They rule the USA. Now one one knows of them unless they from New York of Jersy
I am happy to give anyone help in cooking the product I produce. There are many out there that haven't a clue on cooking meat. I worked for one day in a meat plant that dealt with Tray packs for retail. Not a great space to work in my opinion. One day was all I could stand and that was an hour overtime taboot...what was I thinkin'? When not at work I shop local and I shop where they cut it right there...for the case and some what infront of me :)
cowboy & jlarsen, I agree with you both, I see and talk with so many young ladies on my meat case that don't have a clue about cooking meat. I laugh at some of these younger consumers that have told me they were spending to much time chasing their husbands or just having a good time to learn how to cook and it catches up with them after marrage. then they have to call home to get mother to tell them how to cook something or come to me. here is a wonderful example, one girl about 22 told me her husband of a year had told her he loved sweet potatos, but he hardly ever eat them when she fix them for him. she told me that they didn't taste like her mothers and she didn't want to ask her how she did hers. I ask her how she was fixing them, the girl was not fixing sweet potatoes lol she was fixing mash potatoes with a half cup on sugar in them to make them sweeter lol
I had a young lady looking for a turkey but she wanted a really small one as it was for her boyfriend and herself. She said she didn't want to deal with a ton of left overs. I just happened to have a really small fresh bird (3-5kg). She was happy with that and then turned around and said...Wait a minute.Is this a BABY turkey? I can't cook a Baby Turkey! That would be Mean! She ended up buying a larger bird and inviting a whole lot of other people over.
masteryeti, I feel for you lol I'm not saying you do this, But a old head told me once, when you on that case, if you ever let women think they know more about meat than you do, you going to have a hard way to go lol I have found a lot of truth in that one !!
I use to do this thing with women, I will guarantee any piece of meat in my case if a woman is over 40, I know her mother taught her how to cook !! I think it's time to move the age limit up to 55 LOL WHAT YOU THINK ?? lol
Oh Leon you woulda lost that one with me. My Mama didn't teach me anything in the kitchen! It was my Dad that taught her how to boil water and cook. He didn't have alot of time to teach us kids as we grew so we were pretty much self taught.Sink or swim kinda deal. I must do alright cos Lou has gained at least 20 pounds in the past 5 years of togetherness ;)
