How to become a Smallgoods Maker
Smallgoods makers select and prepare meat, and manage the processes in the production of smallgoods.
Personal requirements for a Smallgoods Maker
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Physically fit and in good health
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good hygiene.
Duties & Tasks of a Smallgoods Maker
Smallgoods makers may perform the following tasks:
- Order supplies from wholesalers, as well as weigh and check stock on receipt
- Store meat in refrigerators or freezers
- Prepare meat by removing bones and trimming fat
- Make seasonings, flavouring agents and pickling solutions, and pickle meat according to recipes
- Assemble and operate mincers, grinders, mixers, and patty-forming or sausage-forming machines
- Shape meat or meat emulsion to make sausages and smallgoods
- Add seasonings to ground meat
- Operate filling machines, cooking kettles and vats, and smoking chambers
- Cure and cook meat products
- Use correct detergents and sanitisers to prevent food poisoning and contamination of premises and equipment
- Help clients in menu planning and working out food portions and production costs
- Pack and store products for display and sale
- Collect payment for sales.
Working conditions for a Smallgoods Maker
Smallgoods makers work with a variety of knives, hand tools, power equipment (including mincers, mixers and bandsaws) and computer-operated machinery.Smallgoods makers work in shops and boning/slicing rooms. They usually have early morning starts and their work involves a lot of contact with people including customers and workmates. Smallgoods makers are exposed to animal blood in some parts of the process.
