Sawmill Machine Operator

Job Title: Sawmill Machine Operator

Location: Bowling Green, VA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Pay Range: $22.00-$28.00 per hour, depending on experience

Position Summary
The Sawmill Machine Operator is responsible for safely operating production equipment in a pine sawmill environment. Equipment may include the debarker, multi-trim saw, gang box saw, double arbor gang saw, edger, or other related sawmill machinery.

This position requires mechanical aptitude, strong safety awareness, good communication, and the ability to make quick production decisions that help maintain material flow, reduce waste, and support overall mill performance. Operators must be able to monitor equipment, watch lumber flow, recognize problems, and work as part of a team to keep the mill running safely and efficiently.

Essential Functions

• Safely operate assigned sawmill production equipment, which may include the debarker, multi-trim saw, gang box saw, double arbor gang saw, edger, or similar machinery.
• Monitor material flow before, through, and after the machine to help maintain steady production.
• Make quick, production-focused decisions to avoid waste, reduce jams, and keep lumber or logs moving properly.
• Watch for equipment issues, poor cuts, misalignment, jams, abnormal sounds, vibration, hydraulic issues, or other signs of trouble.
• Make basic adjustments within authorized limits to support safe operation, production flow, and product quality.
• Communicate clearly with sawyers, forklift operators, maintenance employees, supervisors, and other machine operators.
• Work with team members to prevent bottlenecks, clear issues safely, and maintain efficient production flow.
• Perform routine operator checks, cleanup, and basic housekeeping in the assigned work area.
• Report mechanical issues, safety concerns, quality problems, material flow issues, and downtime causes to the supervisor or maintenance team.
• Follow all company safety procedures, including PPE, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and safe work practices around sawmill equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support sawmill operations.

Safety Responsibilities

• Operate equipment only when guards, controls, emergency stops, and safety devices are functioning properly.
• Never bypass safety devices or reach into moving equipment.
• Follow lockout/tagout and energy-control procedures before clearing jams, making adjustments, or entering restricted areas when required.
• Maintain awareness of moving logs, lumber, conveyors, saws, forklifts, and other employees.
• Stop and report unsafe conditions, equipment issues, jams, or abnormal machine operation immediately.
• Help maintain a clean and organized work area to reduce trip hazards, debris buildup, and unsafe conditions.

Required Qualifications

• Prior experience in a sawmill, lumber operation, manufacturing, equipment operation, farming, construction, warehouse, or similar hands-on work environment.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to recognize when equipment is not operating correctly.
• Strong attention to safety, production flow, and quality.
• Ability to make quick decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work well as part of a team.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to learn multiple sawmill machine positions.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous sawmill, pallet, lumber, or wood products experience.
• Experience operating equipment such as a debarker, trim saw, gang saw, edger, resaw, stacker, sorter, or similar machinery.
• Experience with conveyors, hydraulic systems, saws, motors, chains, belts, sensors, or other industrial equipment.
• Forklift, loader, maintenance, welding, or fabrication experience.
• Ability to troubleshoot basic equipment issues and communicate clearly with maintenance.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment
This position works in an industrial pine sawmill environment with exposure to noise, sawdust, moving equipment, logs, lumber, sharp cutting equipment, vibration, weather conditions, and varying temperatures. The primary physical requirements of this role involve operating machine controls, monitoring material flow, communicating with team members, safely accessing the operator area, and performing occasional manual efforts as needed. Some machines may require more manual handling than others. The employee may be required to sit or stand for extended periods, walk, climb steps or platforms, bend, twist, reach, and perform occasional lifting or material handling. Heavy repetitive lifting is not the primary function of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Schedule
This is a full-time position. Overtime, weekends, and schedule flexibility may be required based on production needs, equipment needs, or project work.

Advancement / Cross-Training Opportunity
Employees in this position may have the opportunity to cross-train on multiple sawmill machines and advance based on safety record, attendance, work ethic, mechanical aptitude, communication, and ability to learn additional equipment.

Equal Opportunity Statement
The company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.