Sawmill Machine Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

The Sawmill Machine Operator is responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and maintaining sawmill production equipment to process logs into quality lumber in accordance with production schedules and customer specifications. This position ensures safe, efficient, and continuous operation of assigned machinery while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, productivity, and housekeeping. The Machine Operator works closely with supervisors, maintenance personnel, and team members to maximize equipment performance, minimize downtime, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate all assigned sawmill machine position(s) safely, accurately, and at the production pace required by the run sheet and Sawmill Supervisor / Lead Operator direction. Operator 1 operates one certified position under direct supervision; Operator 2 operates 2–3 certified positions independently; Operator 3 operates 4+ positions and floats as directed.

• Make accurate, timely production decisions at your assigned position — including edging, trimming, sorting, stacking, and material flow decisions — to maximize lumber recovery and value and meet dimensional and grade specifications on every board.

• Monitor material flow, lumber quality, and equipment performance at assigned position(s); identify dimension deviations, surface defects, equipment abnormalities, and production bottlenecks; communicate immediately to the Lead Operator and take corrective action within the authorized scope of the operator role.

• Complete a thorough pre-shift equipment check on all assigned position(s) before each shift; verify all guards are in place, conveyor and roll systems are properly set, saws and chains are correctly configured, and no foreign objects or abnormal conditions are present; report all findings to the Lead Operator before the line starts.

• Coordinate with upstream and downstream operators at adjacent positions to maintain smooth, continuous material flow through the sawmill production line; communicate pace changes, jams, quality issues, and equipment concerns proactively rather than waiting for the Lead Operator to identify them.

• Maintain accurate production tally, sort records, and shift log entries for your position(s); record all downtime events with cause and duration, quality flags, and volume counts and submit to the Sawmill Supervisor at shift end.

• Follow all PDL safety policies and LOTO (lockout/tagout) procedures without exception at every assigned position; perform complete LOTO before any clearing, cleaning, jam removal, or adjustment task; never bypass a safety interlock, remove a guard, or reach into a saw zone, conveyor nip point, or any moving or energized equipment.

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area at all assigned position(s) throughout every shift; continuously clear sawdust, slabs, trim ends, bark, and debris from walkways, roll case areas, conveyor zones, and saw areas; never allow debris to accumulate to a level that creates a slip, trip, or fire hazard.

• Communicate all equipment performance issues, quality deviations, safety concerns, and production problems to the Lead Operator and Sawmill Supervisor immediately — before they escalate into downtime, quality failures, or safety incidents; never work around an equipment or quality problem without notifying supervision.

• Operator 3 employees may be asked to assist the Lead Operator in demonstrating correct operating procedures to Operator 1 and Operator 2 employees at their certified positions; this is a support function only and does not transfer supervisory authority or responsibility.

• Report all safety incidents, near-misses, injuries, equipment malfunctions, and unusual sounds, vibrations, or conditions at any assigned position to the Sawmill Supervisor immediately; stop operation of any equipment that is producing abnormal conditions until the Lead Operator or Maintenance has reviewed it.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Sawmill Supervisor or Lead Operator, including cross-training at new positions as directed in support of advancing to the next Operator level.

• High school diploma or GED preferred; not required for candidates with verifiable sawmill or industrial manufacturing production experience.

• Operator 1: No prior sawmill experience required. Ability and willingness to learn, strong safety mindset, and reliable attendance record required. Training provided on assigned position. Operator 2: Minimum 6–12 months of experience on at least one downstream sawmill production position (edger, trimmer, sorter, stacker, debarker, log deck, green chain, or utilities) required. Operator 3: Demonstrated proficiency on 3+ sawmill downstream positions or completion of PDL’s internal Operator 2 → Operator 3 cross-training program required.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions including run sheets, sort orders, shift logs, and safety procedures without requiring repeated direction.

• Ability to recognize and communicate lumber quality issues including dimension variation, rough cuts, wane, splits, and grade defects at the relevant production position.

• Ability to work in a high-noise, high-dust sawmill production environment for the full shift while maintaining sustained attention and alertness at and around moving machinery.

• Demonstrated commitment to personal safety and the safety of coworkers; proven willingness to stop work, notify supervision, and not resume until hazards are corrected.

• Ability to work rotating shifts, scheduled overtime, and weekends as required by the production schedule; reliability and consistent attendance are essential at all three operator levels.

• Prior experience on downstream sawmill positions — edger, trimmer, sorter, stacker, green chain, log deck, debarker, or utilities — in a commercial sawmill or wood products manufacturing environment.

• Operator 2 or Operator 3 certification from a prior employer; willingness to cross-train rapidly across all sawmill downstream positions to achieve Operator 3 status at PDL.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus given PDL’s workforce.

This position is performed on the sawmill production floor with continuous exposure to high noise levels, sawdust, wood chips, bark, vibration, and moving machinery throughout every shift and at every assigned position. The Sawmill Machine Operator must be able to stand and walk for the full shift, bend, reach, twist, and lift lumber, slabs, and materials up to 60 lbs, and maintain sustained alertness in a fast-paced, high-hazard environment across one or more assigned positions. All required PPE — safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility vest — must be worn correctly at all times whenever in any production or yard area. LOTO procedures must be followed without exception before any equipment clearance, jam removal, or adjustment task at any assigned position, regardless of how minor the task appears. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Plain Dealing Lumber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.