Head Butcher

Job Description: Head Butcher

Farm Background

Philo Ridge Farm (PRF) is a certified organic 500-acre farm located in Charlotte, Vermont, a rich agricultural community in the Champlain Valley, just south of Burlington. PRF is a diversified farm in its tenth year of production. Its livestock program grazes over 300 acres of perennial pasture and includes ewes, lambs, pigs, chickens, and 100 Belted Galloway cattle. PRF grows two acres of organic produce and flowers using farming practices that build soil health, produce a variety of nutrient-dense foods, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and support the local agricultural community. Everything harvested is processed at PRF and sold through its culinary program and market, which are inspired by a closed-loop nutrient system. PRF also serves as a year-round gathering place for the community. After a decade of building an understanding of this landscape, growing with the community, and envisioning the future of farming, the founders have established the farm as a nonprofit organization so that PRF continues to operate as a community asset and working farm for generations to come.

Meat & Butchery Program

PRF’s Meat & Butchery Program is dedicated to the creation of high-quality meat products using the farm’s regeneratively raised livestock, and to the age-old traditions and craftsmanship of nose-to-tail butchery. We seek to continually improve our understanding of the systems involved in raising animals on pasture. We work alongside the livestock team and external resources to evaluate the impact of soils, grazing, genetics, and animal husbandry on meat quality, flavor, and nutritional profile. We challenge current paradigms of how meat is raised, harvested and sold to create our own definition of what quality really means. Ultimately, our work is inspired by leaders in the field of nose-to-tail butchery and regenerative animal agriculture.

Position Overview

PRF is seeking a passionate and energetic Head Butcher to lead the farm’s Meat & Butchery Program. In collaboration with the farm’s owners, culinary and retail teams, and the livestock team, the Head Butcher will oversee all aspects of on-site meat processing and retail meat operations. This position’s primary focus will be meat fabrication for restaurant and retail uses in the farm’s hospitality program, managing carcasses from slaughterhouse to kitchen and retail cuts, assuring full utilization and inventory rotation, and developing value-added products as needed. The successful candidate will develop an intimate understanding of the farm’s animal harvest cycle, its unique characteristics and goals, and the various points of opportunity for selling these premium meats to the public. The Head Butcher will also work in collaboration with the Director of F&B and Market Manager to develop educational materials for the staff and execute educational meat events with the public. The Head Butcher will report to the Executive Chef.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and lead all carcass management and meat fabrication for PRF’s culinary and retail programs
• Manage operations of the Meat & Butchery team including scheduling, daily production, and labor management
• Work with the Culinary and Market teams to assure optimal distribution of fabricated cuts and full carcass utilization
• Work with the Culinary and Market teams to develop educational language and materials for engaging with the public
• Collaborate with the Livestock team on scheduling slaughter and coordinating transportation to and from processing facility
• Gather, track, and share meat quality data with Livestock team to help with refinement of breeding, genetics, and feeding practices
• Oversee cleanliness and organization of processing room and meat storage areas
• Oversee the general upkeep and preventative maintenance of all meat processing equipment
• Oversee and maintain meat and related supplies inventory
• Perform regular yield tests on all species and produce cut, price, and cost analyses
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal meat and food safety standards as relevant to PRF’s processing
• Assure maintenance and renewals of relevant meat processing licenses and personal food safety certifications
• Oversee production of value-added, ready-to-eat foods for sale in PRF’s Market
• Proactively test recipes to continually expand on and improve PRF’s value-added and ready-to-eat offerings
• Collaborate with Market team on meat merchandising, signage, and POS database to assure effective sales, accuracy of information, and accessibility for customers
• Assure that Market freezers and coolers are properly stocked, organized, and products rotated, and that backstock is priced and organized as well
• Set all meat and ready-to-eat/value-added product pricing in collaboration with the Market team
• Participate in and lead meat-related staff outreach programs and educational events
• Provide subject matter expertise for butchery events, classes, educational programming, and processing services at VLSP

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working in a premium, nose-to-tail, retail butchery and/or equivalent restaurant butchery department
• Passion for hands-on, craft butchery working with whole animals and sustainable, local sourcing
• Strong knowledge of safe meat handling and general food safety protocols
• Deep familiarity with small scale meat processing equipment operation, cleaning, and preventative maintenance
• Prior experience with value-added and ready-to-eat production (i.e. stocks, sausages, cooked meats, smoked meats, etc.)
• Outstanding communication ability, follow-through, reliability, and capacity for independent work
• Strong belief in the mission of PRF, sustainable agriculture, and contributing to the viability of working landscapes in rural regions
• Ability to carry and handle meat products in excess of 50 lbs (i.e. side of pig and beef subprimals)
• Ability to work on your feet for 8 hours daily
• Comfortable working with spreadsheets for data management, cost calculations, and schedule management

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $65,000-75,000. Relocation assistance is also available for candidates who will need it.

Benefits & Perks

Employment benefits include accrued paid time off, complimentary staff meal prepared daily, health care benefits, and an employee discount on products in our market.

Application Process

Candidates should an email to recruiting@kkandp.com with “Head Butcher” in the subject line, and include a cover letter and resume. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly.

PRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, PRF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.