Lumber Inspector Trainee

NWH; Hamden (OH); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunity

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401k match

HSA

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Northwest Hardwoods, Inc. in Ohio is seeking a Lumber Inspector Trainee to join our plant team. You will inspect lumber quality, sort by size and grade, and assist in piling lumber while keeping the warehouse clean and safe.

This role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and the ability to work with the production team in a fast-paced facility. Prior lumber experience is helpful but not required.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Available to work Monday–Friday with occasional weekends and overtime.
• Report all safety incidents including near misses.
• Strong math skills: add, subtract, multiply, divide, fractions.
• Flexibility with work hours and shifts (overtime/weekends).

Responsibilities

• Inspect wood quality for kiln-dried and green lumber.
• Sort product by size, species, and grade.
• Assist in piling lumber and operating the planer line as needed.
• Keep the warehouse and conveyors clean and clear of debris.
• Verify thickness, width and length specifications.
• Manually track level boards.
• Operate and program the computer sorter daily.

Skills

Math skills

Leadership

Safety-minded

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Tools

Computer sorter

Grading stick

Job description

Description

Join a Team That Keeps the World Moving! What if your work helped connect North American hardwood products with customers around the world? Northwest Hardwoods is a leading manufacturer of hardwood lumber in North America and a fully integrated global supplier serving the furniture, cabinet, molding, and millwork industries.

Our plant team brings together the sawmill operations, production, grading, kiln drying, surfacing, packaging, and quality control to transform hardwood logs into high-quality lumber products for customers around the world. As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to make a visible contribution to a global operation.

At Northwest Hardwoods (NWH), you’ll play an important role in keeping our global supply chain moving. As a Lumber Inspector Trainee, you'll work closely with the manufacturing team to keep lumber moving through the facility, ensure products are properly inspected, handled and organized, while helping maintain a safe, clean, and productive work environment.

Why This Role Matters

This position is all about safety and attention to detail. You’ll be responsible for safely and efficiently inspecting, handling, moving, sorting, stacking, and preparing lumber throughout the production process. Your attention to detail and commitment to safety will help ensure we continue to produce and deliver high-quality lumber to our customers around the world.

This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys staying physically active, and takes pride in getting the details right.

Requirements

What You’ll Do:

• Inspect wood quality for kiln dried and green lumber
• Sort product by size, species, and grade
• Assist in piling lumber and planer line as needed
• Keep the warehouse and conveyors clean and clear of debris
• Verify accurate thickness, width and length specifications
• Manually tracking level board
• Operate and program computer sorter daily

What You Bring

We’re looking for someone who possesses good leadership skills, is dependable, safety-minded, and enjoys hands-on, physically active work.

Required

• Must be 18 years of age
• Available to work Monday – Friday with occasional weekends and over-time
• Reporting of all safety incidents, including near misses
• Strong math skills: Adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying and fractions
• Flexibility with work hours and shifts (ability to work overtime and weekends as needed)

Preferred

• Previous experience in lumber manufacturing, lumber material handling, saw mill is a plus, but not required
• Knowledgeable of OSHA's Lock Out Tag Out program
• Knowledge of accurately using a grading stick

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are

• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong work ethic, self-motivation, and a desire to succeed, with a commitment to continually developing your skills.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also taking initiative and working independently.
• Excellent attendance and reliability, along with a willingness to work in a changing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work well with others.
• A desire to grow and take on increased responsibility within NWH.
• The ability to work safely at heights and in hot, noisy, and dirty environments.

What We Offer

Northwest Hardwoods provides a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive salary
• Bonus opportunity based on company performance
• Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Saving with Company Match
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re an experienced professional who enjoys keeping production moving and collaborating with a team, we’d love to hear from you!

Northwest Hardwoods, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.