Meat & Seafood Team Member

WHO WE ARE

We’re a community-owned natural foods grocery store passionate about high-quality food, sustainability, and the cooperative business model. Our mission is rooted in serving our community while creating a workplace that is inclusive, engaging, and supportive. We strive to set a high standard for employment practices by fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and growth. We’re looking for positive, self-motivated people who take pride in delivering excellent customer service, value the quality of their work, show up reliably for their team, and enjoy working together to make a meaningful impact every day.

Job Title: Meat & Seafood Team Member, Downtown Location 

Reports to: Meat Dept. Managers

Status: Non-Exempt, Union Classification Level 1

POSITION SUMMARY

The Meat & Seafood Stocker supports the smooth operation of the meat and seafood department by receiving deliveries, stocking cases, wrapping and labelling products, and assisting customers. This role plays a key part in ensuring the department is clean, well-stocked, visually appealing, and compliant with all food safety and HACCP protocols. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, reliable, and excels in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment. Occasional fish filleting and light prep work are required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Service

• Provide friendly, helpful service to customers, answering questions, offering product suggestions, and assisting with special orders.
• Educate customers about product availability, sourcing, storage, and preparation.

Stocking & Merchandising

• Receive, inspect, and accurately stock meat and seafood products following first in and first out (FIO) and rotation procedures.
• Set up and maintain an appealing, fully stocked, and properly labeled seafood case.
• Ensure products are priced and labeled accurately using established systems.
• Monitor product freshness and presentation throughout the day, removing unsellable items as needed.

Packaging & Labeling

• May prepare pre-packaged items for the self-service case, including ready-to-cook or value-added options as directed.

Seafood Handling & Light Preparation

• Fillet and portion fresh seafood products as needed for customer requests or case setup.
• Assist with meat or seafood prep as directed.

Food Safety & HACCP Compliance

• Adhere to all food safety, sanitation, and hygiene guidelines, including proper use of gloves and temperature logs.
• Follow the department’s HACCP plan and participate in documentation as required.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment at all times.

Teamwork & General Support

• Work collaboratively with department staff to achieve goals and ensure smooth operations.
• Communicate needs related to inventory, back stock, or product shortages to buyers or leads.
• May assist with placing or confirming orders during manager absences or as directed.
• Support coworkers with daily tasks and other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Food Worker Card.
• Previous experience working with fresh meat or seafood preferred.
• Familiarity with HACCP principles and food safety practices; training provided for the right candidate.
• Comfortable using knives and handling raw meat and seafood; experience filleting fish is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on quality, labeling accuracy, and case presentation.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments (32°F–40°F) and tolerate exposure to cleaning chemicals, raw proteins, and common allergens.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility & Endurance

• Stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours).
•  Frequently bend, reach, twist, and perform repetitive motions.

Lifting & Carrying

• Regularly lift and move items weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Occasionally lift items weighing up to 50 lbs.

Tool & Equipment Use

• Safely and efficiently use knives, wrappers, scales, and labeling equipment.
• Maintain manual dexterity for packaging and labeling tasks.

Work Environment

• Work in cold, refrigerated environments (32°F–40°F) for prolonged periods.
• Tolerate moderate noise levels and exposure to raw meat, seafood, and common allergens.
• Safely use and tolerate exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals.

BENEFITS AT THE CO-OP

• Up to 25% staff discount & access to wholesale orders. 
• Great medical/dental/vision and supplemental insurance options.
• 401(k) w/match.
• Paid time off.
• Pay on Demand. 
• Potential year-end bonus. 
• Access to employee assistance program.

UNION AFFILIATION: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 231. Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and working conditions, are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the Community Food Co-op and the union.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The Community Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a The Community Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be supplemented at any time to meet the needs of the Co-op without prior notice. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the Community Food Co-op reserves the right to revise or amend this description at any time.