Planer Infeed Forklift Operator

Northwest Hardwoods, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance

401k Retirement Saving with Company M

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

Bonus opportunity

Job summary

Northwest Hardwoods, Inc. is seeking an experienced forklift operator for our lumber production facility in the United States. The role focuses on safely moving and preparing lumber, loading and feeding the planer, and maintaining a clean, efficient work area. You will work 6:00am–2:30pm with occasional Saturdays and overtime.

The position emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment, providing competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Experience operating forklift in a lumber/sawmill environment preferred.
• Able to work Monday–Friday with overtime.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklift safely to move lumber in planer and production areas.
• Feed bundles into the planer infeed system maintaining steady production flow.
• Load/unload and stage lumber bundles; inspect loads for stability and identification.
• Ensure lumber is aligned for planer operation and communicate with team to minimize downtime.
• Safely stack and organize lumber and monitor inventory of materials.

Skills

Forklift operation

Safety-minded

Teamwork

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

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.

Why This Role Matters:

This position is all about safety and attention to detail. You’ll be responsible for safely and efficiently 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:

• Operate a forklift safely and efficiently to move lumber throughout the planer and production areas.
• Feed bundles of lumber into the planer infeed system while maintaining a steady and consistent production flow.
• Load, unload, move, and stage lumber bundles in designated areas.
• Inspect lumber bundles and loads for proper placement, stability, and identification before moving or feeding material.
• Ensure lumber is properly aligned and positioned for the planer operation.
• Communicate with the planer operator and production team to keep material moving efficiently and minimize downtime.
• Monitor inventory and lumber locations to ensure the correct material is available when needed.
• Safely stack and organize lumber in designated storage areas.
• Follow established procedures for handling different lumber sizes, grades, and products.
• Perform routine forklift inspections and report any mechanical or safety concerns promptly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area around the planer and lumber yard.
• Follow all company safety policies, PPE requirements, and lumber-handling procedures.
• Assist with general production and material‑handling duties as needed - cross training and collaboration required on and off the forklift
• Work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where priorities and production needs may change.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or plant management.

What You Bring:

We’re looking for someone who is hardworking, dependable, safety-minded, and enjoys hands‑on, physically active work.

Required:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Available to work Monday – Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm, with occasional Saturdays and overtime
• Able to work around noise, dust, changing temperatures, and other conditions common to a sawmill/lumber manufacturing environment
• Safely perform the physical requirements of the position, including climbing on and off equipment and handling lumber‑related materials.
• Previous forklift experience, preferably in a lumber, sawmill, manufacturing, or industrial environment.
• Previous Hyster 300 forklift experience

Preferred:

• Previous experience in lumber manufacturing, lumber material handling is a plus, but not required

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are:

• A strong work ethic and a positive, team-oriented attitude
• Enjoys a hands‑on, physically active role and staying on the move throughout the day
• Ability to safely lift, move, stack, and handle lumber and other materials
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions and procedures
• Dependable and reliable, with a strong attendance record
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Comfortable working independently as well as part of a team
• Willingness to learn and take direction from supervisors and experienced team members

What We Offer:

• 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.