JOB DETAILS

Processing Room Fish Cutter - 7AM

CompanyJ J McDonnell & Co Inc
LocationElkridge
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 2, 2026
About The Company
JJ McDonnell is an established market leader in the Maryland, Washington D.C, and Northern Virginia region, with recent expansion into North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Our products include an extensive variety of high-quality fresh and frozen seafood products, and our primary customers include retail stores, bar & grill clients, multi-unit concepts, as well as steakhouses, small 'Mom and Pop' restaurants, and large national retail chains. We offer a wealth of knowledge, information and education about the seafood industry and the products our customers are buying and serving. It's our pleasure and purpose to provide seafood, services, and support that help our customers enhance their own businesses. In an ever-complex industry, our culture of integrity, transparency, and trust, both with our staff and our customer, is paramount. We take pride in fostering sustainable practices in as many avenues as possible including our sourcing, packaging and shipping and working with local watermen to nurture the health of the Chesapeake Bay and our local species. Our balanced customer base, and the internal culture we have nurtured, have helped navigate pandemic-challenged times. Key relationships with customers, boats, docks, chefs, stores, and our team have grown and flexed to make adjustments to keep rolling forward. Many of our J.J. McDonnell leadership team have worked from the ground up, including the excitement of buying beautiful fish straight off the boat, and selling, hiring, fostering, and developing outstanding team members in each department—all with the shared mission of bringing integrity, a drive to excel, company pride, teamwork, and professionalism to serve our customers.
About the Role

Description

TITLE: Processing Room Fish Cutter

DEPARTMENT: Processing

REPORTS TO: Processing Room Manager

SHIFT: 7:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.


ABOUT US

J.J. McDonnell has been the First Choice of Quality Seafood throughout the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area for more than 75 years! We pride ourselves on delivering a positive, customer-focused experience with every order. Known for delivering premier products, we also offer educational insights to deepen our customers' understanding of the seafood industry and the products they serve.


POSITION SUMMARY:

The Processing Room Fish Cutter is responsible for effectively and efficiently carrying out all the tasks and duties of the Processing Room – scaling, gutting, filleting (i.e. processing) fish, obtaining the highest yields possible per JJ and industry standards in a cold environment (34-38 degrees Fahrenheit). More importantly they are responsible for ensuring that all orders are prepared/processed according to company and customer specifications effectively and efficiently; assist when and where necessary throughout the processing room to ensure products get to staging in an efficient and timely manner. The Processer/Fish Cutter may assist other warehouse personnel in their daily activities and must perform all other duties as assigned on an as needed basis. The Processer/Fish Cutter reports to the Processing Room Leads and Shift Manager and checks in with the Processing Room Leads and or Shift Manager at the beginning and end of every shift.


REGULAR ASSIGNED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Fish Processing and Filleting: Cutting, filleting, and deboning various species of fish according to company standards. Ensuring that cuts are precise and meet customer specifications for portion size and quality. Trimming and cleaning fish to remove bones, skin, and unwanted parts.
  • Quality Control: Inspecting fish for freshness, quality, and any defects or abnormalities before processing. Ensuring that the final product meets quality standards, including visual inspection for parasites, bruises, or any other imperfections.
  • Sanitation and Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment in accordance with food safety regulations.
  • Production Efficiency: Working quickly and efficiently to meet production goals while minimizing waste. Coordinating with other team members to ensure smooth workflow and timely completion of orders.
  • Safety: Following all safety protocols to prevent injuries, such as wearing protective gear and handling sharp tools carefully. Being aware of and managing any potential hazards in the work environment, including slippery floors or handling heavy fish.
  • Customer Orders: Preparing custom cuts or special orders according to customer requests. Ensuring that orders are completed accurately.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Regularly checking and maintaining cutting tools and equipment to ensure they are in good working condition. Reporting any malfunctions or required repairs to supervisors.
  • Compliance: Adhering to company policies and regulatory requirements, including those related to food safety and worker safety. Staying informed about industry best practices and changes in regulations that may affect processing methods.
  • Responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of processing fish under their control.
  • Ensures the yields received on product are up to JJ Standards.
  • Ensures the quality received on product is up to JJ Standards.
  • Maintain cleaning schedules for processing room along with appropriate documentation.
  • Understands proper procedures in sharpening knives to maintain quality and yields.
  • Reviews and understands all SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures).

Accountabilities:

  • Company uniform
  • Products/inventory in your care
  • Complete all training as required
  • Handle other duties as assigned by the supervisor/manager
  • Cross train to help other team members as a backup.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

  • High School Diploma (Preferred)
  • Prior experience in wholesale trade industry preferred.
  • Knowledge of seafood, proper temperature storage and handling regulations.
  • Must have prior experience in a warehouse environment along with the operation of warehouse equipment.
  • Able to learn SeaSoft and / or other software package.
  • Excellent problem solving and organizational skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  • Basic arithmetic ability is needed to count and take inventory.
  • Able to transfer attention from one task to another frequently without affecting performance.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Attention to detail: Display judgment, tact, and care in handling products.
  • Basic English skills: Ability to read, write, and have basic conversational English.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, and asking questions as appropriate.
  • Compliance: Must adhere to Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.
  • Maintain good working relationships with all team members.
  • Must have prior experience in a processing room environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, talk, walk, and hear.
  • The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects; and reach with hands and arms.
  • The employee occasionally is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and walk.
  • The employee is capable of lifting, pulling, or pushing 75% - 100% of the time.
  • The employee is capable of lifting and/or moving up to 75 pounds often.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits:
J.J. McDonnell offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
  • Voluntary Short-term & Long-term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 401(k) plan
  • Other employee perks

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee works mostly indoors in an office environment and on occasion outside for brief periods of time. The employee can be exposed to wet and/or humid, hot, cold, and snow conditions, fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
  • The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet to loud in the field.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.


Equal Opportunity Employer

J.J. McDonnell is committed to providing a diverse workforce experience. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, veteran, or disability status. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We thank all individuals for their interest in J.J. McDonnell; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Key Skills
Fish ProcessingFilletingDeboningQuality ControlSanitationHygieneProduction EfficiencySafety ProtocolsKnife SharpeningSOP AdherenceOrganizational SkillsProblem SolvingVerbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationArithmeticActive Listening
Categories
ManufacturingFood & BeverageTradesLogistics
Benefits
Medical InsurancePrescription InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceLife InsuranceVoluntary Short-term DisabilityLong-term DisabilityEmployee Assistance Program401(k) Plan
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Processing Room Fish Cutter is responsible for efficiently scaling, gutting, and filleting fish to achieve high yields while ensuring all orders meet company and customer specifications in a cold environment. This role also involves maintaining sanitation, coordinating workflow, and performing other assigned duties within the processing room as needed.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
0-2
💼Company Size
78
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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