Position: Warehouse Associate, Full Time 
Hours: Full Time
Location: HNG Warehouse, Flat Rock, NC
Benefits: Paid Holidays, 401K, PTO, Paid Leave, Health Benefits (employee paid), Ancillary Benefits
Compensation: $22.66/hr 

WHO WE ARE

Hickory Nut Gap is a working family farm, and a meat distribution company based in Fairview, North Carolina. The meat company, Hickory Nut Gap Meats, collaborates with a network of farmers in our region to produce regeneratively raised, 100% grassfed beef and pasture raised heritage breed pork. Our meats are sold to retail, distributor, food service, ecommerce, and other customers across the eastern US.

We believe in a better world, and we are inviting everyone to come along. For us, better means treating our planet with respect. It means improving the lives of animals and the livelihoods of farmers.  Our team is made up of people who collaborate, support, have fun, and challenge one another with an eye towards improvement and growth.   We need outstanding people to join our team and fulfill our mission and change the food system. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Warehouse Associate works out of the HNG wholesale warehouse, a shared space in Flat Rock, NC.

The warehouse is comprised of a multistory walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, dry storage areas, loading docks, and office space. As a warehouse associate, you are responsible for making sure our products and warehouse space are cared for, orders are accurate, customers are happy, and the team is supported. You will work in cold conditions where attention to detail is important for safety and to ensure the work is accurate, and the warehouse is kept in good working conditions. The ability to work as part of a team while executing individual tasks is a key to success in this role. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Receive and pack orders with efficiency and accuracy 
• Assist with inventory management and rotation 
• Warehouse operational and team support 

DAILY OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Assist in receiving product weekly
• Operate Reach truck in cooler and freezer daily
• Pack wholesale orders with efficiency and accuracy
• Fulfill Direct To Consumer orders with efficiency and accuracy
• Rotate meat through cooler and freezer
• Assist with warehouse cleaning and upkeep
• Attend weekly and monthly staff meetings
• Drive deliveries as needed as backup for delivery driver
• Miscellaneous support and tasks, as assigned by Warehouse Manager

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION  

• Experience using a reach truck or forklift 
• Ability to work well in a team 
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Effective and professional oral and written communication
• Ability and desire to enhance the reputation of the Hickory Nut Gap brand

To Apply, please email your resume to nate.jones@hickorynutgap.com. 

Job Title: Meat Manager
Hours: Full Time, Salaried
In-person Location: Hickory Nut Gap Farm Store, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC 28730
Benefits: PTO, paid holidays, employee discounts, non-insurance health plan, 401k
Compensation: $49,000-$54,000 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please send a current resume and a cover letter for this position to virginia.hamilton@hickorynutgap.com in order to apply.   

WHO WE ARE

Hickory Nut Gap Farms is a growing grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork business. Our purpose in the world is to create hope for the food system, one pasture at a time. Our mission is to build community through agriculture while leaning on our values of resilience, reliability, relationships, and passion. Our wholesale team sources and markets exceptionally well-raised, nutrient dense, and delicious beef and pork to a variety of customers from New York to Florida.   

Hickory Nut Gap Farm is the home of this brand. For the last 25 years, our team has been stewarding a fifth-generation family farm in Fairview, North Carolina. Our deep roots in this community, passion for farmers, and never-ending quest for the best meats led to the creation of our wholesale company. The farm, the wholesale team, and our partner producers function as one ecosystem. Hickory Nut Gap Farm is an 80-acre working farm with a thriving farm store, community events, and a leading regenerative hub.    

INTRODUCTION

The Meat Manager leads the retail meat program at the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Store. They are responsible for merchandising and showcasing our retail products, specialty cuts, and the unique offerings raised on the working lands surrounding the store. They maintain a seasonally appropriate inventory of fresh and frozen meat and execute our cutting and value-added production schedule. The Meat Manager runs most of our “back of house" operations while also serving as a welcoming, knowledgeable, and helpful presence for guests at the butcher counter.  

This person sets the tone in our kitchen as a leader who leads from a place of service and collaboration, with a genuine willingness to help each team member grow. Hickory Nut Gap's kitchen is built on community, and our core values: resilience, reliability, relationships, and passion. That's true for our own crew, and it's true for every chef, caterer, and cook who comes through these doors as a guest of this space. We know the industry has a reputation for yelling, ego, the "this is just how kitchens are" excuse for treating people badly. That's not who we are, and it's not welcome here.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

• Sales, margin, and product performance in the meat department 
• Cutting and value-added production schedule 
• Value-added product development (e.g., sausage, ground blends, and prepared items) 
• Shrink and waste reduction, including maximizing cutting yields and whole-animal utilization 
• Customer satisfaction at the butcher counter  

DAILY OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Break down whole animals and primals into retail cuts, and track cutting yields 
• Maintain kitchen sanitation and food safety compliance, including cleaning schedules, temperature logs, and health inspection readiness 
• Merchandise the meat department: set and maintain the butcher case, and keep retail coolers and freezers stocked, rotated, and accurately labeled 
• Lead and train the kitchen team, including knife skills and cutting technique 
• Manage inventory of fresh and frozen product and supplies, and oversee ordering 
• Oversee seasonal programs, such as holiday orders with support from the marketing team 
• Occasional small catering or cooking requests (opportunity for growth)  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITES  

• 3+ years of meat-cutting experience, including whole-animal breakdown and primal/subprimal fabrication, commercial kitchen 
• ServSafe Manager certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire) 
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles a plus 
• Understanding of meat department financials including inventory management, cost of goods sold (COGS) margin, pricing, cutting yields, and labor cost 
• Ability to talk with guests about cuts, cooking methods, and the value of grass-fed and pasture-raised meats 
• Basic computer skills (we use Microsoft Office and the Square POS system) 

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Position reports to the Farm Store Manager and has 2-3 direct reports. All other staff remain available for information, advice, guidance, or assistance if needed and may provide training, coaching, and feedback as appropriate.   

GUIDELINES AND TOOLS 

Guidelines/tools that will help this role achieve success and follow company procedures include:   

• Employee Handbook   
• HNG SharePoint Files 
• Entrepreneurial Operating System 
• Mission and Values Statement  
• Working Together System  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Must be able to stand for long periods, perform repetitive fine-motor hand movements (including knife work), and lift 60 pounds to chest height. 

Must be able to work comfortably in both hot and cold environments, including walk-in coolers and freezers. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work is performed across a variety of settings, including a hot kitchen and walk-in coolers and freezers. Most work is performed in the Farm Store’s kitchen and at the butcher counter. Some computer work and meeting attendance is required.  

This job description is designed to give you an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities for this position.  As the Company evolves and grows over time this job description may be changed in consultation with you.  You will be expected to embrace such changes, to work flexibly, and to rise to the challenge of developing your skills over time.