Saw Filer

Compass Business Solutions Inc; Plain Dealing (LA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Plain Dealing Lumber in Plain Dealing, LA is seeking a Saw Filer to inspect, sharpen, tension, and maintain saw blades to maximize lumber recovery and product quality. This shift-based role collaborates with Maintenance and Operations to keep mill operations safe and efficient.

The position offers two schedules and an hourly rate of $29-$38 based on experience; requires a high school diploma or GED and a saw filing apprenticeship or equivalent training.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required; formal saw filing apprenticeship or equivalent vocational training preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of saw filing experience in a sawmill, lumber, or wood products environment.
• Proficiency in saw tensioning, leveling, sharpening, and fitting; knowledge of gauge measurements and tooth geometry.

Responsibilities

• Sharpen, tension, level, and balance circular, band, gang, and edger saws using filing, grinding, and tensioning tools.
• Inspect saws before installation to ensure tooth geometry and tension meet specifications.
• Monitor saw performance and troubleshoot issues like drift, vibration, and surface quality.
• Maintain the filing room and rotate saws to support production needs.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Precision skills

Reading gauge measurements

Safety-conscious

Education

High school diploma or GED

Saw filing apprenticeship or certification

Tools

Grinders

Filing equipment

Tensioning equipment

Measurement equipment

Job description

Who We Are:

Plain Dealing Lumber is a harvesting and lumber manufacturing company in Plain Dealing, LA, committed to sustainable forestry and producing high-quality wood products. Our fast-paced, hands-on environment prioritizes safety, teamwork, and opportunities for continuous growth and long-term skill development.

Job Summary:

Precision and performance are at the heart of the Saw Filer role at Plain Dealing Lumber. This position inspects, sharpens, repairs, tensions, and maintains saw blades and cutting tools to ensure consistent performance, maximize lumber recovery, maintain product quality, minimize downtime, and extend tool life. Working closely with Maintenance and Operations, the Saw Filer monitors saw performance, troubleshoots cutting issues, and helps keep sawmill operations running safely and efficiently.

This is a shift-based position at our Plain Dealing, LA facility, with the following schedule options available: Monday-Friday, 6:00 am-6:00 pm, or Thursday-Monday, 6:00 am-6:00 pm.

Hourly rate: $29 - $38, based on relevant experience.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Sharpen, tension, level, and balance circular saws, band saws, gang saws, and edger saws using precision filing, grinding, and tensioning equipment.
• Inspect saws before installation to ensure tooth geometry, hook angle, set, and tension meet specifications for the material and production requirements.
• Install and remove saws from production equipment, ensuring collars, guides, arbors, and mounting components are properly fitted, aligned, and secured.
• Monitor saw performance during production and troubleshoot issues such as drift, wash boarding, vibration, burning, and poor surface quality.
• Make necessary saw adjustments or replace saws as needed to maintain production efficiency and lumber quality.
• Maintain an adequate inventory of sharp, production-ready saws and coordinate saw rotation schedules to support production needs.
• Maintain the saw filing room, filing equipment, and tools in clean, organized, and serviceable condition, including routine maintenance of grinders and tensioning equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of saw condition, filing history, gauge readings, rotation schedules, and saw life to identify replacement needs.
• Communicate with Operations and Maintenance regarding saw performance, filing schedules, replacement needs, and saw-related quality concerns.
• Provide technical input when evaluating saw products, suppliers, filing techniques, and equipment needs.
• Follow all company safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures when working with saws and production equipment and promptly report safety concerns or equipment failures.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required; formal saw filing apprenticeship or equivalent vocational training strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of saw filing experience in a sawmill, lumber, or wood products environment; circular, band, and gang saw experience preferred.
• Proficiency in saw tensioning, leveling, sharpening, and fitting, including gauge measurements and proper tooth geometry.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and precision skills, with the ability to use grinding, filing, and measurement equipment and diagnose saw performance and quality issues.
• Strong knowledge of LOTO and safe saw-handling practices, with flexibility to work early mornings, weekends, and on-call as production needs require.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Formal saw filing apprenticeship or certification through a recognized trade program or industry association.
• Experience with a variety of saw configurations including large circular head rig saws, thin-kerf saws, and carbide-tipped edger saws.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed primarily in the saw filing room with regular presence on the sawmill production floor, with exposure to metal filings, grinding sparks, noise, sawdust, sharp saw components, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
• Regularly work in physically demanding conditions around saws, cutting tools, industrial machinery, and production equipment.
• Prolonged standing and walking throughout the shift, with frequent bending, reaching, and movement between the saw filing room and production areas.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of saws, tools, materials, and equipment weighing up to 60 lbs.
• Regularly bend, crouch, stoop, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive tasks associated with saw filing, sharpening, maintenance, installation, and removal.
• See, hear, communicate, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity and visual acuity to safely inspect, sharpen, repair, and handle saws and cutting tools.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed boots, and additional PPE as required during grinding and filing operations.
• Follow all lockout/tagout (LOTO) and required safety procedures before working on installed saws or production equipment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Plain Dealing Lumber is committed to cultivating a workplace where diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences help drive our innovation and success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Plain Dealing Lumber is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.