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Swing Shift Sawmill Lead Northwest Hardwoods, Inc. Dorchester, WI
Background:
Northwest Hardwoods is the leading manufacturer of hardwood lumber in North America, as well as a leading supplier of panel products from around the world. A fully integrated, global supplier of wood products, NWH serves the furniture, flooring, cabinet, molding, and millwork industries. We are committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement in everything we do.
We are currently seeking a full-time Swing Shift Sawmill Lead for our Dorchester, WI facility.
Position Summary:
The Swing Shift Sawmill Lead is responsible for helping lead and coordinate sawmill operations on second shift. This role supports the safe, efficient, and productive operation of the sawmill during swing shift, including production flow, safety, quality, work assignments, communication, troubleshooting, and shift handoff.
This position reports directly to the Sawmill Supervisor and serves as the primary on-shift lead when direct supervisor oversight is not present. The Swing Shift Sawmill Lead is expected to provide day-to-day direction, support, and accountability for employees assigned to the shift, while also performing hands-on production work as needed.
This is an hourly, non-exempt lead position. The role is not responsible for hiring, termination, formal discipline, or final performance management decisions; however, it is expected to communicate concerns, reinforce expectations, and partner with the Sawmill Supervisor to support a safe, productive, and accountable work environment. This position is a strong opportunity for an experienced operator or developing leader who is ready to take on increased responsibility within sawmill operations.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
Swing Shift Leadership & Coordination
• Coordinate daily sawmill operations on swing shift in alignment with production goals and supervisor direction
• Provide day-to-day direction, support, and follow-up for employees assigned to the shift
• Help assign work, monitor production flow, and adjust priorities as needed to support efficient operations
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sawmill employees during the shift when direct supervisor oversight is not present
• Reinforce expectations related to safety, quality, productivity, attendance, communication, and teamwork
• Communicate employee performance, attendance, safety, quality, or conduct concerns to the Sawmill Supervisor
• Support a positive, professional, and accountable work environment
Sawmill Operations & Production Support
• Support the safe and efficient operation of sawmill production equipment and processes
• Monitor production flow and help identify issues that may impact throughput, quality, or uptime
• Work in production positions as needed to support staffing needs, breaks, coverage, and production priorities
• Assist employees with operational questions, equipment concerns, and production-related issues
• Help ensure employees understand assigned tasks, work expectations, and production priorities
• Support start-up, shutdown, cleanup, and shift transition activities
• Help maintain consistent production performance during the shift
Safety & Quality
• Lead by example in following all company safety policies, procedures, and work rules
• Reinforce safe work practices and ensure employees are working in a safe and responsible manner
• Identify and communicate unsafe conditions, behaviors, or equipment concerns promptly
• Support completion of safety checks, housekeeping expectations, and corrective actions as needed
• Monitor lumber quality and production standards throughout the shift
• Identify quality concerns and take appropriate action to communicate or correct issues
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
Troubleshooting & Maintenance Coordination
• Identify production, equipment, and process issues that may impact safety, quality, or production flow
• Communicate equipment problems, downtime, and repair needs to maintenance and site leadership as appropriate
• Coordinate with maintenance employees regarding equipment issues, lockout/tagout needs, repair priorities, and operational impacts
• Support troubleshooting efforts by providing clear information about equipment conditions, timing, and production concerns
• Help restart and return equipment to operation after repairs or adjustments when appropriate
• Escalate urgent issues to the Sawmill Supervisor or other appropriate leadership as needed
Communication & Shift Handoff
• Maintain clear communication with employees, maintenance, and site leadership throughout the shift
• Provide accurate updates regarding production status, staffing, equipment issues, safety concerns, quality issues, and other shift activity
• Support effective handoff between shifts to ensure continuity of operations
• Document or communicate key issues, follow-up items, and unresolved concerns as needed
• Partner with the Sawmill Supervisor to ensure expectations are understood and consistently reinforced
Training, Teamwork & Continuous Improvement
• Assist with training employees on sawmill processes, safe work practices, and job expectations
• Provide coaching and guidance to employees in a professional and constructive manner
• Support development of newer employees by helping them understand production flow, equipment operation, and quality expectations
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, communication, and work processes
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts and support implementation of operational changes
• Demonstrate leadership maturity, dependability, and sound judgment in daily decision-making
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• 3+ years of sawmill, wood products, or manufacturing experience preferred
• Prior lead, relief lead, trainer, or informal leadership experience preferred
• Strong understanding of sawmill production flow, safety, quality, and equipment operation
• Ability to provide direction, coaching, and support to employees in a professional manner
• Ability to communicate clearly with employees, supervisors, maintenance, and site leadership
• Ability to identify production, safety, quality, and equipment concerns and respond appropriately
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions when direct supervisor oversight is not present
• Strong work ethic, dependability, and commitment to accountability
• Ability to work hands-on in production positions as needed
• Ability to work swing shift/second shift, overtime, weekends, and adjusted schedules as needed
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and perform physical work in a manufacturing environment