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ESCO occupation

butcher

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Butchers order, inspect and buy meat to prepare it and sell it as consumable meat products. They perform activities such as cutting, trimming, boning, tying, and grinding beef, pork, and poultry meat. They prepare those mentioned sorts of meat for consumption.

7511.1 ISCO 7511 ESCO source
Competences
67
Groups
4
Essential
36
Optional
31

Competences and skills

67 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
animal anatomy for food production

The anatomy of animals, their organs and their functions, as well as the usage of these organs for food production after slaughtering.

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cultural practices regarding animal parts sorting

The religious and cultural practices regarding animal parts sorting as to not mix meat parts with other parts that may inhibit religion practitioners from eating the meat.

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food storage

The proper conditions and methods to store food to keep it from spoiling, taking into account humidity, light, temperature and other environmental factors.

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legislation about animal origin products

The applicable legal rules on temperature, waste materials, traceability, labelling, trading, and the transport of animal origin products. 

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warm blooded animal organs

The difference between white and red organs of warm blooded animals and their position in the body. A white organ can be the stomach, red organs can be the heart, the liver, or the lungs. The norms to treat these organs properly.

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Cross-sector

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Essential skills and competences 31 competences

Occupation specific

1 competence
handle knives for cutting activities

Use various types of knives and cutters used in the cutting, deboning and slaughtering process. Use techniques for the usage of the knives. Selects the right knives for the job at hand. Take care of the knives.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

20 competences
apply GMP

Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Scope note
There are countries that adopt their own national regulations such as the British standard and/or international ones as well: International Features Standards (IFS). In these cases, producers should comply with international standards also.
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apply preservation treatments

Apply common treatments to preserve the characteristics of food products taking care of their appearance, smell and taste.

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apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

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ensure refrigeration of food in the supply chain

Apply different procedures to maintain the chain of temperature of foodstuffs and products in each stage of the production and supply chain.

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follow an environmental friendly policy while processing food

Assure an environmental-friendly policy when working with natural resources like meat, fruits and vegetables. This means handling resources in the most efficient and nature-friendly way while trying to minimalise pressure on the ecosystem.

green
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grind meat

Use various types of machinery to grind animal parts into minced meat. Avoid the inclusion of bone splinters in the product. Maintain the meat grinding machine.

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handle knives for meat processing activities

Handle knives for meat processing activities. Use the correct knives and cutting instruments for meat preparations, prepared meat products, or meat products made by a butcher.

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maintain food specifications

Preserve, review, and evaluate existing food specifications such as recipes.

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measure precise food processing operations

Carry out accurately measured assignments with suitable tools and equipment in the process of producing food and beverages.

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monitor stock level

Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.

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monitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beverages

Monitor and control required temperatures in the different phases of production until the product reaches suitable properties according to specifications.

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operate meat processing equipment

Operate meat processing equipment for meat preparations and prepared meat products.

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prepare meat for sale

Prepare meat for sale or cooking which comprise the seasoning, larding, or marinating of the meat, but not the actual cooking.

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prepare specialised meat products

Prepare specialised meat products, minced meat, salt-cured meat, smoked meat, and other meat preparations such as pickled meat, sausages, crumbed meat, veal olive, and chipolata.

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process livestock organs

Process livestock organs and other byproducts for meat manufacturing processes. Remove organs from carcasses and perform activities such as cutting or dividing parts, washing organs, execute specific treatments, packaging, and labelling.

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split animal carcasses

Separate animal carcasses and organs into larger subsections such as head and limbs, debone and cut them.

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tend meat packaging machine

Use machinery to package meat products under modified atmosphere, extending its shelf life.

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tend meat processing production machines

Operate production equipment and tools to process meat and meat products.

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trace meat products

Take the regulations regarding the traceability of final products within the sector into account.

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work in a food processing team

Collaborate in a team with other food processing professionals in service of the food & beverages industry.

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Cross-sector

10 competences
apply HACCP

Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

Scope note
There are countries that adopt their own national regulations such as the British standard and/or international ones as well: International Features Standards (IFS). In these cases, producers should comply with international standards also.
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consider economic criteria in decision making

Develop proposals and take appropriate decisions taking into account economic criteria.

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cope with blood

Cope with blood, organs, and other internal parts without feeling distressed.

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ensure sanitation

Keep workspaces and equipment free from dirt, infection, and disease by removing waste, trash and providing for appropriate cleaning.

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follow hygienic procedures during food processing

Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.

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mark differences in colours

Identify differences between colours, such as shades of colour.

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process customer orders

Handle orders placed by customers. Receive the customer order and define a list of requirements, a working process, and a time frame. Execute the work as planned.

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provide first aid

Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.

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tolerate strong smells

Tolerate strong smells expelled by the goods being processed during the production of goods.

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work in cold environments

Work in cold storage and deep freeze facilities. Cooling rooms are around 0°C. Resist temperatures of-18°C in meat processing freezer facilities as required by law, except for the slaughterhouse, where room working temperatures are below 12°C by law.

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Optional knowledge 1 competence

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
food allergies

The types of food allergies within the sector, which substances trigger allergies, and how they can be replaced or eliminated (if possible).

ESCO source

Cross-sector

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Optional skills and competences 30 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

12 competences
adapt efficient food processing practices

Ensure to adapt the most efficient production techniques to accomplish food processing tasks with the least amount of time, effort and costs.

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analyse characteristics of food products at reception

Analyse characteristics, composition, and other properties of food products at reception.

Scope note
For instance, dairy for butter-making will have to be sampled for butterfat analysis and its payments would be based on the butterfat content of the milk.
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dispose food waste

Dispose or collect food waste with the purpose of recycling or throwing away from the production process. Follow established procedures for their disposal taking care of the environment and the safety matters according to legislations.

green
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ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food production

Make sure to comply with environmental legislation in food production. Understand the legislation related to environmental matters in food manufacturing and apply it in practice.

green
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execute chilling processes to food products

Carry out chilling, freezing and cooling operation processes to food products such as fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, catering food. Prepare food products for extended periods of storage or half prepared food. Ensure safety and nutrition qualities of frozen goods and preserve products in accordance with specified temperatures.

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identify the factors causing changes in food during storage

Recognize the most relevant factors (chemical, physical, environmental etc) that can alter the food during its storage.

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implement sales strategies

Carry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company's brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product to.

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inspect raw food materials

Inspect raw materials required for the production process, assessing quality and hidden flaws. Verify the origin of the raw materials using the sector defined documents, stamps or marks.

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manage challenging work conditions during food processing operations

Handle stressful and challenging work conditions in a limited time frame to ensure qualitative food and beverage products are created in time.

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negotiate improvement with suppliers

Build a good relation with suppliers in order to improve knowledge and quality of supply.

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operate metal contaminants detector

Control and monitor a detector that screens meat products for common metal contaminants such as screw, staples, or lead shot. Take appropriate actions in case of non conformities.

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produce meat-based jelly preparations

Making gelée preparations with salted, and heated materials. Boil added ingredients in gelée and fill bowels or forms (aspic).

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Cross-sector

18 competences
act reliably

Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.

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care for food aesthetic

Convey presentation and aesthetic elements into the production of food. Cut products properly, manage right quantities into the product, care for the attractiveness of the product.

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carry out end of day accounts

Execute end of day accounts to ensure that business transactions from the current day have been correctly processed.

Scope note
Day-end closing is part of a company's closing operations.
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control of expenses

Monitor and maintain effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.

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handle customer complaints

Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.

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handle glassware

Utilise glassware by polishing, cleaning and storing it properly.

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have computer literacy

Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

digital
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implement marketing strategies

Implement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.

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keep inventory of goods in production

Keep inventory of goods whether they are goods in the front end (i.e. raw materials), intermediate, or back end (i.e. finished products). Count goods and store them for the following production and distribution activities.

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liaise with colleagues

Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.

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liaise with managers

Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

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lift heavy weights

Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.

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manage budgets

Plan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.

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negotiate terms with suppliers

Identify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.

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operate weighing machine

Work with a weighing machine to measure raw, half-finished and finished products.

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recruit employees

Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.

Scope note
It may include recruiting volunteers.
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select adequate ingredients

Select adequate ingredients based in their technological function to execute ideas. Strive for consistent good quality of the ingredients and use them adequately to obtain a satisfactory final product.

Scope note
They might consider ingredients for the manufacturing of different products such as conventional, functional and organic foodstuffs as well as take certain diets or health issues into account.
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work according to recipe

Perform tasks in food preparation according to recipe or specification in order to preserve the quality of ingredients and to ensure replication accuracy of the recipe. Select the appropriate materials to follow the recipe, taking into account the current situation.

Scope note
Select the adequate ingredients to execute the recipe. The quality of the ingredients, their properties, and the adequate use of them may yield different results that can be determinant for a satisfactory final product.
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