Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fish Weigher

🎯 Role Definition

As a Fish Weigher, you are the critical first point of contact for all incoming seafood products, acting as the gatekeeper for quality and accuracy. This role is foundational to our entire operation, as your precise measurements and diligent record-keeping directly impact inventory control, production planning, and financial accounting. You will be responsible for accurately weighing, sorting, and recording data for vast quantities of fresh fish and seafood in a dynamic, fast-paced production environment. This position requires a high level of physical stamina, attention to detail, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of food safety and sanitation. You are an essential link in the cold chain, ensuring the premium quality of our products from dock to dispatch.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer
Warehouse Associate
Food Production Worker
Kitchen Porter

Advancement To:

Receiving Lead / Supervisor
Quality Control (QC) Technician
Production Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Fish Cutter / Filleter
Seafood Packer
Machine Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Accurately weigh and meticulously record weights of incoming seafood deliveries from fishing vessels, farms, and suppliers using certified digital and analog scales.
Operate, maintain, and perform daily calibrations on a variety of weighing equipment to ensure unwavering precision and compliance with measurement standards.
Expertly sort and grade diverse species of fish and shellfish based on established company criteria for size, quality, condition, and market destination.
Systematically enter and manage catch data, including species, weight, vessel origin, and catch date, into our digital inventory management system or manual logbooks.
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Generate and apply accurate labels to totes, boxes, and pallets, ensuring full product traceability is maintained throughout the processing and distribution cycle.
Uphold stringent sanitation and cleanliness standards for the weighing station, equipment, and surrounding work areas to prevent cross-contamination and ensure a safe food environment.
Rigorously adhere to all food safety protocols, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Assist in the efficient unloading of seafood from transport trucks and fishing boats, often involving manual lifting and the use of material handling equipment like pallet jacks.
Monitor and document product temperatures upon receipt to guarantee the integrity and freshness of the cold chain is consistently maintained.
Conduct routine quality control inspections on incoming raw materials, identifying and reporting any deviations from quality standards, such as spoilage, parasites, or damage.
Perform physically demanding tasks, including repeatedly lifting and moving containers of fish weighing up to 50 lbs, in a cold, wet, and fast-paced environment for extended periods.
Identify a wide range of local and imported fish and seafood species by sight to ensure proper sorting, data entry, and inventory accuracy.

Secondary Functions

Assist in periodic physical inventory counts and help reconcile discrepancies between physical stock and system records.
Participate in general plant cleaning and sanitation duties at the end of shifts, including hosing down floors and cleaning processing equipment.
Provide flexible support to adjacent departments, such as fish cutting, packing, or shipping, during peak processing times or staff shortages.
Contribute to the hands-on training of new team members on proper weighing procedures, species identification, and critical safety protocols.
Report any equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or potential process improvements to the shift supervisor for immediate attention.
Manage the organization and stock levels of supplies related to the receiving process, including totes, liners, labels, and ice.
Communicate effectively with drivers and vessel captains regarding delivery schedules and documentation.
Ensure all waste materials are disposed of according to company and environmental regulations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Scale Operation: Proficiency in operating and calibrating digital and mechanical scales for accurate measurements.
Basic Math Skills: Ability to perform basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication to calculate weights, verify counts, and identify discrepancies.
Data Entry: Competence in entering numerical and text-based data accurately into computer systems, spreadsheets, or manual logs.
Species Identification: Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the identification of various fish and shellfish species.
HACCP & Food Safety Knowledge: Understanding of fundamental food safety and sanitation principles is highly desirable.
Material Handling: Experience operating a manual or electric pallet jack is preferred; forklift certification is a plus.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy in weighing, recording data, and labeling is paramount to prevent financial loss and ensure traceability.
Physical Stamina & Strength: Ability to stand for entire shifts, work in a cold and wet environment, and consistently lift heavy objects.
Reliability and Punctuality: A strong work ethic and commitment to being on time are crucial in a production-driven schedule.
Teamwork & Communication: Ability to work effectively with a diverse team and clearly communicate information to supervisors and colleagues.
Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment and can adapt to rapidly changing production priorities.
Ability to Follow Instructions: Capacity to understand and precisely follow verbal and written directions for processing, safety, and quality tasks.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred but not always required.

Preferred Education:

Food Handler's Certificate or other food safety certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

N/A
Food Science
Marine Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years of experience in a related field.

Preferred: 1+ years of experience in a seafood processing, food production, meat packing, or busy warehouse environment. On-the-job training will be provided to the right candidate who demonstrates a strong work ethic and willingness to learn.