Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7511
Meat preparations operator
A meat preparations operator is a person who combines fresh meat with ingredients such as spices, herbs and additives to produce meat products that are ready for sale.
Check yourself in a minute: meat preparations operator
Rate 5 of the 35 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
maintain cutting equipment
tolerate strong smells
ensure sanitation
inspect raw food materials
ensure refrigeration of food in the supply chain
About meat preparations operator
The operator prepares meat for sale and prepares special meat products, which means weighing, mixing, filling, forming and packing to a recipe, so that the product always has the same composition and taste. Animal carcasses are weighed, and meat processing equipment is operated in cold rooms, since the whole process runs at a temperature that keeps the meat safe and makes the work cold.
Traceability is a legal duty. The operator traces meat products, so that every batch can be followed back to what went into it and forward to where it went, which is what makes a recall possible.
Sanitary conditions are ensured throughout: the surfaces, the tools, the clothing and the separation of raw material from finished product. The operator has to be comfortable in a hazardous environment, and heavy items are lifted. Formal requirements are set by national food hygiene rules and by the employer, including a medical clearance for work with food.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (35)
typology of meat partstypology of meat partsTypology of meat parts in terms of nutrients, handling processes, way of cutting and managing, and preparations and ingredients that potentiate the taste.food storagefood storageThe proper conditions and methods to store food to keep it from spoiling, taking into account humidity, light, temperature and other environmental factors.animal anatomy for food productionanimal anatomy for food productionThe anatomy of animals, their organs and their functions, as well as the usage of these organs for food production after slaughtering.maintain cutting equipmentmaintain cutting equipmentMaintenance of the cutting equipment (knives, cutters, and other elements).tolerate strong smellstolerate strong smellsTolerate strong smells expelled by the goods being processed during the production of goods.ensure sanitationensure sanitationKeep workspaces and equipment free from dirt, infection, and disease by removing waste, trash and providing for appropriate cleaning.inspect raw food materialsinspect raw food materialsInspect 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.ensure refrigeration of food in the supply chainensure refrigeration of food in the supply chainApply different procedures to maintain the chain of temperature of foodstuffs and products in each stage of the production and supply chain.tend meat packaging machinetend meat packaging machineUse machinery to package meat products under modified atmosphere, extending its shelf life.mark differences in coloursmark differences in coloursIdentify differences between colours, such as shades of colour.manage packaging materialmanage packaging materialManaging all packaging materials be they primary (wrapping, cans, bottles) or secondary (cartons, crates, pallets).weigh parts of animal carcassesweigh parts of animal carcassesWeigh the prepared parts of meat after cutting and deboning them for the next process in the manufacturing of meat products or for direct selling. Tag containers for weight and contents.clean food and beverage machineryclean food and beverage machineryClean machinery used for food or beverage production processes. Prepare the appropriate solutions for cleaning. Prepare all parts and assure that they are clean enough to avoid deviation or errors in ...apply HACCPapply HACCPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).administer ingredients in food productionadminister ingredients in food productionIngredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.be at ease in unsafe environmentsbe at ease in unsafe environmentsBe at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.trace meat productstrace meat productsTake the regulations regarding the traceability of final products within the sector into account.process livestock organsprocess livestock organsProcess 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 ...maintain food specificationsmaintain food specificationsPreserve, review, and evaluate existing food specifications such as recipes.follow hygienic procedures during food processingfollow hygienic procedures during food processingEnsure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.lift heavy weightslift heavy weightsLift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.tend meat processing production machinestend meat processing production machinesOperate production equipment and tools to process meat and meat products.clean the trimming boxclean the trimming boxEfficiently clean the trimming box.prepare meat for saleprepare meat for salePrepare meat for sale or cooking which comprise the seasoning, larding, or marinating of the meat, but not the actual cooking.select adequate ingredientsselect adequate ingredientsSelect 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...apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesapply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesApply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.apply GMPapply GMPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).prepare specialised meat productsprepare specialised meat productsPrepare 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.operate weighing machineoperate weighing machineWork with a weighing machine to measure raw, half-finished and finished products.operate meat processing equipmentoperate meat processing equipmentOperate meat processing equipment for meat preparations and prepared meat products.handle knives for meat processing activitieshandle knives for meat processing activitiesHandle 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.grind meatgrind meatUse 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.handle meat processing equipment in cooling roomshandle meat processing equipment in cooling roomsPush and put carcasses in and out the cooling room as specified. Use equipment specific to this room to handle meat and meat products.monitor freezing processesmonitor freezing processesMonitoring freezing processes to ensure product is adequately frozen. Assessing temperature levels and ensuring energy efficiency and product refrigeration.
Optional (20) — show
health, safety and hygiene legislationhealth, safety and hygiene legislationThe set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.cultural practices regarding animal parts sortingcultural practices regarding animal parts sortingThe 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.pathogenic microorganisms in foodpathogenic microorganisms in foodThe identification and characteristics of pathogenic micro-organisms in food and the adequate prevention methods to inhibit its reproduction in food materials.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.manage challenging work conditions during food processing operationsmanage challenging work conditions during food processing operationsHandle stressful and challenging work conditions in a limited time frame to ensure qualitative food and beverage products are created in time.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.keep machines oiled for steady functioningkeep machines oiled for steady functioningOil or grease the parts of the machines and equipment that need to be lubricated. Follow safety procedures to do so.liaise with colleaguesliaise with colleaguesLiaise 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 ...administer lactic ferment cultures to manufacturing productsadminister lactic ferment cultures to manufacturing productsAdd specified quantity of lactic ferment cultures to food preparations such as pasteurised milk to obtain starter for sour dairy products, such as buttermilk, cheese, and sour cream. Also, to dough ma...adapt efficient food processing practicesadapt efficient food processing practicesEnsure to adapt the most efficient production techniques to accomplish food processing tasks with the least amount of time, effort and costs.monitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beveragesmonitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beveragesMonitor and control required temperatures in the different phases of production until the product reaches suitable properties according to specifications.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.consider economic criteria in decision makingconsider economic criteria in decision makingDevelop proposals and take appropriate decisions taking into account economic criteria.work in cold environmentswork in cold environmentsWork 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, wher...dispose food wastedispose food wasteDispose 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...work in a food processing teamwork in a food processing teamCollaborate in a team with other food processing professionals in service of the food & beverages industry.operate metal contaminants detectoroperate metal contaminants detectorControl 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.liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food productionensure compliance with environmental legislation in food productionMake sure to comply with environmental legislation in food production. Understand the legislation related to environmental matters in food manufacturing and apply it in practice.label sampleslabel samplesLabel raw material/product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a meat preparations operator do?
Meat preparations operators prepare fresh meat with ingredients such as spices, herbs or additives in order to make ready-for-sale meat preparations.
What skills does a meat preparations operator need?
A meat preparations operator needs 35 essential skills, including typology of meat parts, food storage, animal anatomy for food production, maintain cutting equipment, tolerate strong smells.
Will AI replace meat preparations operator jobs?
The AI disruption score for meat preparations operator is 43/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: mark differences in colours, weigh parts of animal carcasses, monitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beverages. Most resilient: tolerate strong smells, be at ease in unsafe environments, provide first aid.
AI Replacement Risk
43/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills35
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