Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale – NOC : 6331

Unit Group

6331 Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers, retail and wholesale, prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments. They are employed in supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish stores or may be self-employed. Butchers who are supervisors or heads of departments are included in this group.

Example Titles

butcher apprentice

butcher, retail

fishmonger – retail

head butcher – wholesale

meat cutter – retail or wholesale

supermarket meat cutter

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Main duties

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

Cut, trim, and otherwise prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale at self-serve counters or according to customers’ orders
Grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines
Prepare special displays of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish
Shape, lace and tie roasts and other meats, poultry or fish and may wrap prepared meats, poultry, fish and shellfish
Manage inventory, keep records of sales and determine amount, product line and freshness of products according to company and customer requirements
Ensure food storage conditions are adequate
May supervise other butchers, or meat cutters or fishmongers.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school may be required.
Completion of a college or other meat-and-fish-cutting training program, or a three-year meat cutting apprenticeship may be required.
On-the-job training in food stores is usually provided for retail butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers.
Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Quebec and British Columbia.

Classified elsewhere

Fish cutters (in 9463 Fish and seafood plant workers )
Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (9462)
Seafood sales clerks (in 6421 Retail salespersons )