Meat Processor - Lamb Technician

Looking for more than just another season
Fresh Meats NZ is looking for experienced and motivated Lamb Technicians to join our Napier processing team in permanent, full-time positions.

If you’re already in the meat industry and looking for stable, year-round employment, variety, skills development and greater earning potential, we’d like to hear from you.

New to the industry? We also welcome reliable, motivated people who are ready to learn and build a career in meat processing.

Why Fresh Meats? ⭐
Fresh Meats NZ is a boutique Napier-based lamb processor operating year-round – we are not a seasonal employer. We manufacture premium lamb products for domestic and international markets and are part of Integrated Foods Group.

Our size gives our people the opportunity to gain experience across different parts of the operation rather than being limited to one task.

Variety in Your Working Week
Our unique alternate-day processing schedule covers:

• Primary processing – slaughter


• Secondary processing – boning, packing and product preparation

This provides genuine variety and the opportunity to develop skills across multiple areas of the plant.

Grow Your Skills – Grow Your Pay
We operate a skills-based pay matrix, with earning potential increasing as you develop competency and experience across the plant.

Indicative hourly equivalent ranges:

• Level 1 – Inexperienced: $25–$35


• Level 2 – Experienced: $28–$38


• Level 2+ – Experienced All-Rounder: $30–$40


• Level 3 – New Boner/Butcher: $30–$45


• Level 3+ – Mid-Experience Boner/Butcher: $32–$47


• Level 4 – Experienced All-Round Boner/Butcher: $35–$50

The more skills you develop, the greater your earning potential.

Progression isn’t simply based on how long you’ve worked here. Motivated employees can develop additional competencies and progress through the pay matrix.

We also support employees to work towards nationally recognised Primary ITO qualifications, gaining formal qualifications while developing practical skills on the job.

About the Role
Depending on your skills, experience and the production schedule, duties may include:

• Primary processing and slaughter-floor operations


• Knife and processing roles


• Boning-room operations


• Packing and product preparation


• Operating processing equipment


• Maintaining hygiene and food safety standards


• Working to MPI and export-market requirements


• Following health and safety procedures

Previous meat-industry experience is highly valued, particularly in slaughter, boning, knife-hand or other skilled processing roles.

Full training is also available for suitable candidates with the right attitude, reliability and willingness to learn.

Hours ️
Monday to Friday | 6.00am–3.00pm | Permanent full-time

With year-round processing, you can count on consistent work rather than relying on a seasonal schedule.

What We’re Looking For
Successful applicants will:

• Have a strong attendance record and be reliable and punctual


• Have reliable transport


• Work well as part of a team


• Be positive and willing to learn


• Be physically fit and comfortable in a processing environment


• Take pride in producing quality work


• Be committed to health, safety, food safety and animal welfare


• Complete pre-employment drug testing and a meat handler’s medical assessment


• Be legally entitled to work in New Zealand

What We Offer:

• Permanent, stable, year-round employment


• Monday-to-Friday working week


• Skills-based pay progression


• Primary ITO qualification pathways


• Experience across primary and secondary processing


• On-the-job training and development


• Career opportunities within Fresh Meats and Integrated Foods Group


• A varied and supportive working environment


• All required PPE provided

Ready for Your Next Step?
Whether you’re an experienced meat-industry professional looking for your next opportunity or new to the industry and keen to build a career, we’d like to hear from you.

or come and see us at:
Fresh Meats NZ
11 Thames Street
Pandora, Napier

Build your skills. Gain qualifications. Grow your earning potential. Build a career with Fresh Meats.

Questions? Contact Michelle McLeely on 027 568 9945.