Meatcutter Position Job Description
King’s Famous Barbecue Location: 2910 S Crater Rd, Petersburg, VA 23805
Job Type: Full-time / Part-time (Flexible shifts, including early mornings, weekends, and peak hours)
Reports to: Pitmaster / Operations Manager / Owners
King’s Famous Barbecue is a beloved, historic Petersburg landmark founded in 1946, famous for its authentic Virginia-style pit-smoked barbecue — including pork shoulders, beef, and chicken — slow-cooked over wood, sliced or minced to order, and served with our signature sauce and homemade sides. After a temporary closure, the restaurant is excited to reopen in 2026 and continue its legacy of quality, tradition, and community pride. The Meatcutter (also known as Butcher or Chop/Prep Specialist) is a skilled, hands-on role essential to our operation, focusing on breaking down, trimming, portioning, and preparing smoked meats for service while maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety.
Key Responsibilities
- Break down large cuts of smoked pork, beef, chicken, and other meats into customer-ready portions (chopped, minced, sliced, or pulled as per Virginia-style traditions)
- Trim excess fat, bone, and sinew from meats before and after smoking to ensure optimal texture, flavor, and presentation
- Accurately portion and weigh meats for plates, family packs, sandwiches, catering orders, and bulk sales
- Chop or mince barbecue using cleavers, knives, and traditional techniques to achieve the perfect coarse texture that King’s is known for
- Inspect smoked meats for quality, consistency, and doneness; remove any imperfections
- Maintain sharp knives, cleavers, and cutting equipment; clean and sanitize tools and work areas throughout the shift
- Assist the pitmaster with meat prep (seasoning, rubbing, or loading smokers when needed) and monitor inventory of raw and finished meats
- Follow strict food safety and sanitation guidelines, including proper handling, temperature control, and storage of meats
- Work efficiently during busy periods to keep the line stocked and orders moving quickly
- Collaborate with the kitchen team to minimize waste and maximize usable portions from every cut
- Perform opening/closing duties for the meat prep area, including setup, cleanup, and end-of-shift reporting
- Fire management and cleaning of the famous open pit fireplace
Requirements & Qualifications
- Previous experience as a meat cutter, butcher, or in barbecue prep/smoking is strongly preferred (experience in pit-smoked or whole-animal barbecue is a big plus!)
- Strong knife skills and knowledge of meat anatomy, cuts, and trimming techniques
- Ability to handle large, heavy cuts of meat (lifting 50+ lbs regularly) and work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen environment
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to consistency and quality — every order must reflect King’s legendary standards
- Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented — we’re a small, family-run business where everyone supports each other
- Basic understanding of food safety practices (food handler’s certification or willingness to obtain one required)
- Passion for authentic Virginia barbecue and pride in serving the community
- Comfortable with early starts (for prepping/smoking cycles) and standing for long periods
What You Can Expect
- Be part of a historic reopening — help bring back a Tri-Cities icon that’s been loved for generations!
- Free or deeply discounted meals during shifts (including fresh-smoked BBQ straight from the pit!)
- Competitive pay for the area (depending on experience; higher for skilled butchers with pit knowledge)
- Opportunities to learn from experienced pitmasters and cross-train in smoking, sauce-making, or other kitchen roles
- Flexible scheduling in a close-knit, family-oriented environment with a focus on quality over quantity
- Pride in crafting the melt-in-your-mouth barbecue that keeps locals and visitors coming back
If you have skilled hands, a love for real pit-smoked meats, and want to join a legendary team as we reopen King’s Famous Barbecue in 2026, this Meatcutter position is your chance to be part of Petersburg history!