Seeking general laborers at a ground beef, poultry and pork processing plant located in Detroit’s’ historic Eastern Market district
Processors/ packers are responsible for cutting, wrapping, grinding, and packing products, inspect meat or meat products, grinding equipment to grind meat to prepare sausages and ground beef products, and the use of knives and saws to process pork and poultry products.
Duties
Loading materials and products into package-processing equipment
Measuring, weighing, and counting product materials
Moving, or lifting heavy objects, loading, unloading, or stacking products or materials
Maintaining a clean and safe work area
Recording product, packaging and order information on forms and records.
Skills
The skills required to become a processor/packer include:
equipment selection skills
reading comprehension and listening skills
Equipment selection skills are useful when choosing which tools are best for each task of the processing/packing process.
Controlling operations of equipment and tools is much easier with operation and control skills. Reading comprehension skills are needed to understand written instructions.
Processors/packers should have strength to lift, pull, push, or carry heavy objects or do the packing of the meat.
Processor/packers will be trained in HAACP guidelines
They must know and comply with the techniques used to store and handle meat, poultry, and pork products. Candidate must also know how to handle raw materials.
Working Conditions
Processors/ packers may work early shifts and long days, possibly working more than 40 hours per week. Candidate should have at least a high school diploma. Most of the training occurs on the job; however, some trade schools offer courses in meat packing and processing work. Processors/packers have to endure tough working conditions, extreme cold, strong odors, and slippery floors. Wearing nonslip shoes is often required.