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 an 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.

• 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!

• 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 with in 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.