Carcass Merchandiser
A carcass merchandiser is responsible for the sale and promotion of animal carcasses (most often pork and beef) and works closely with livestock and meat graders. A carcass merchandiser will communicate with companies or customers to source product and inventory while maintaining set deadlines and requested quantities.
Career Also Referred To As:
- Meat merchandiser
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Know and understand USDA grading standards and company merchandising specifications
- Determine whether or not USDA grading on each carcass is in line with company standards
- Evaluate carcasses using grading data, along with the hide color collected from slaughter
- Utilize camera vision grading technology to determine the value of a carcass, according to shape and size
- Determine how carcasses will be merchandised using factors such as quality grade (grade assigned based on factors that determine the flavor of the meat), yield grade (cutability; the percent of retail yield from the carcass), weight range, ribeye area, breed type and candidacy for branded programs (e.g., Certified Angus Beef)
- Request re-grade from official livestock graders, if it is determined that grading is inaccurate or unjustified
- Correlate grading with other sales professionals
- Assist in merchandising meat products to food and meat retailers
- Sort and group carcasses according to customer and retailer wants
- Assist in areas of sales, credit, billing, training and invoicing
- Maintain refrigeration, spacing of carcasses, ribbing and lighting in grading areas, reporting any discrepancies to the appropriate personnel
- Ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards mandated by state, federal and OSHA regulations
- Coordinate with warehouse on order issues, returns, delivery schedule, etc.
- Order inventory to minimize shortages and overstocks while ensuring that merchandise is fresh
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education
- biology
- animal science
- anatomy
- business
- mathematics
Education/Training Required:
An associate or bachelor’s degree in animal science, meat science, agriculture or a related field is most often desired to become a carcass merchandiser.
