Planer Machine Operator/ Millwright

Big River Forest Products; Coushatta (LA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Coushatta Forest Products in Coushatta, Louisiana, seeks a Planer Machine Operator/Millwright to safely operate planer mill equipment and process lumber to specified dimensions and quality.

You will perform routine inspections, make adjustments, and monitor production to maintain consistent machine performance and early defect detection.

This full-time, in-person role requires reading blueprints or manuals and strict adherence to safety procedures in a busy sawmill environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience operating industrial machinery in a plant or production setting.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and manuals.
• Strong safety awareness and use of PPE.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate and monitor planer mill equipment to meet dimensions and quality standards.
• Inspect lumber for defects and ensure production quality.
• Enforce Lockout/Tagout procedures and PPE usage.
• Stage lumber to maintain production flow and prevent jams.
• Document production counts, downtime, and quality data.
• Perform pre-shift equipment inspections and basic maintenance.

Skills

Industrial machinery operation

Blueprint interpretation

Problem solving

Autonomous work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Planer Machine Operator/ Millwright

Planer Full Time Coushatta, LA, US

Position Summary

Coushatta Forest Products is looking for a Planer Machine Operator/ Millwright in Coushatta, Louisiana. The Planer Mill Machine Operator/ Millwright is responsible for safely operating and monitoring planer mill equipment to process lumber to specified dimensions, grades, and quality standards. This position ensures efficient production by maintaining consistent machine performance, performing routine inspections and adjustments, and identifying equipment or product issues before they impact production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely run and monitor planer mill machinery—including the planer, trimmer, edger, tilt hoist, green chain, sorter, and stacker
• Inspect planed lumber for surface defects, chatter, wane, snipe, and dimension variations
• Enforce strict Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and clear debris or jams safely
• Feed and stage lumber at the correct orientation, rate, and spacing to maintain consistent production flow and prevent jams, misfeeds, or equipment damage
• Monitor lumber quality and identify defects or variations, including surface defects, dimension issues, snipe, chatter, and wane, and promptly report or remove non-conforming product
• Complete pre-shift equipment inspections to ensure guards, rolls, conveyors, and other components are in safe operating condition before startup
• Operate sorting, stacking, and material-handling equipment to ensure finished lumber is properly organized by grade, species, and dimension
• Maintain accurate production counts, shift logs, downtime records, and quality information for assigned equipment and work areas

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• Proven experience operating industrial machinery in a plant, manufacturing, or production environment
• Proven experience in industrial machinery installation, maintenance, and repair
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals

Experience

• Knowledge of Planer operations and mechanical systems
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong skills for interacting with other team members
• Practical knowledge and application of basic safety practices and use of power tools
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Work setting

• In-person (Required)

Work Environment Manufacturing Plant Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment are representative of a typical sawmill environment. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. Noise levels are moderate to high depending on the area of the mill. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear. Requires close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. Lifting and physical activity is required for this position, must be able to move boards and wood pieces. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.