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.


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