Cut and Pack Assistant

Reed Farm is seeking the right person to fill a year-round, long-term position as a Cut and Pack Assistant. The ideal candidate has a minimum of one year of experience working in butchery and wholesale or retail meat packaging, and at least two years of experience working in food service or agriculture. They enjoy hard work with integrity in a fun and dedicated team dynamic, and they are passionate about local food systems as well as sustainable and regenerative agriculture. This position has potential for upward mobility with increased responsibility and financial compensation. Willing to train the right person.

Compensation: $22-$25/hour based on experience, accrued sick time, paid overtime (if over 40 hours in the week), ongoing education and financial assistance for relevant conferences and educational programs, plus chicken and eggs. Two weeks paid vacation for Full-Time positions.

Schedule: Full-Time and Part-Time positions available, year-round. Some flexible hours available to accommodate school schedules.

Full-Time: 40 hours/week (Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm with unpaid half hour lunch break).

Part-Time: 16-24 hours/week, 2-3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday). Expected for most turkey processing days 1.5 weeks before Thanksgiving.

About Reed Farm
Reed Farm is a family owned and operated, innovative, small-scale pastured (as season allows) poultry farm and on-farm state-inspected poultry processing facility in Western Massachusetts. We raise poultry for wholesale and provide the local farming community with custom poultry processing services. We are progressing towards a USDA Grant of Inspection, after which we will be the sole USDA poultry processing facility in MA, filling a crucial gap in the local food system. We are always learning, improving, and striving for work-life balance. We value integrity, inclusivity, having fun while working hard, education and outreach, and the strength of community. Find us at www.reedfarmpoultry.com and on Instagram at @reedfarmpoultry.

Job Description
The Cut and Pack Assistant works closely with the Cut and Pack Manager and a small team (3-4 people) in cutting, packing, order fulfillment, and deliveries of Reed Farm chicken products as well as those of other farms who have their birds processed on-site. They cut chicken to a high quality standard, pack and deliver orders on a set schedule in a timely and safe manner, and maintain a clean and sanitary workstation. Additionally, the Cut and Pack Assistant helps with frozen inventory management and order fulfillment, may also make deliveries, and performs other related tasks that might arise during cut and pack operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote and support a fun and dedicated work environment and team dynamic
• Packing and value-added work:
  
  • Assist with setup and cleanup
  • Maintain high product quality control and food safety standards
  • Assist with organizing and tracking inventory, recordkeeping
  • Part poultry with precision
  • Pack and operate vacuum sealer
  • Create value-added products (sausage, ground meat, etc.)
• Adhere to HACCP and SOPs and relevant recordkeeping
• Maintain clean, organized work and storage spaces

Required Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• 2+ years experience in food service or agriculture
• Reliability
• Sense of humor
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
  
  • Strong communication skills
  • Willingness to learn, take direction, and be proactive
  • Willingness to receive and offer constructive feedback
  • Know when to ask for help
• Multitasking, flexibility, adaptability
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks efficiently and thoroughly
• Knife skills and excellent manual dexterity
• Willing to work outside in all weather conditions and inside walk-in coolers and freezer
• Lift and carry up to 40-60lbs, repeatedly lift 4-20lbs for several hours
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record
  
  • Willingness to drive refrigerated van and refrigerated box truck, off-farm
  • Willingness to operate farm vehicles, on-farm
• Access to reliable transportation for commuting to farm

Preferred Candidates

• 1+ year(s) experience working in butchery or wholesale or retail meat packaging
• Able to drive standard transmission
• Problem-solving, resourcefulness
• Able to operate in a warehouse setting
• Knowledge of and passion for:
  
  • Sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices
  • Education and outreach

To Apply
Please email us at crew@reedfarmpoultry.com and use “Application - Cut and Pack Assistant” as the subject line, with a letter of interest, resume, and 2-3 work references.

No phone inquiries, please.

Reed Farm is an equal opportunity employer.