Saw Guide/ Knife Tech

Canfor; United States; On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Canfor is seeking a Knife Changer for our DeRidder, LA sawmill to keep knives sharp, well-maintained, and ready for production. This full-time role operates at night, Monday through Friday with possible weekend shifts, supporting peak mill performance.

You will maintain and repair knives, operate sharpening and alignment equipment, inspect for defects, and follow safety protocols to protect yourself and teammates. Collaboration with mill operators is essential for seamless production.

Qualifications

• Previos experience as Knife Technician or similar role in a sawmill.
• Ability to operate general hand tools.
• Strong attention to detail and precision in work.
• Able to work in a physically demanding environment, including lifting and standing for long periods.
• Good troubleshooting skills and ability to think on your feet.
• Effective communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and change knives used in sawmill machinery to ensure optimal performance.
• Operate and maintain equipment used for knife sharpening and alignment.
• Inspect knives for defects, ensuring high-quality standards.
• Follow safety protocols to maintain a safe working environment.
• Diagnose and resolve issues with knives and related equipment.
• Keep track of knife inventory and ensure supplies on hand.
• Maintain records of maintenance and repairs performed on knives.
• Collaborate with mill operators to ensure seamless production.
• General cleanup throughout mill including planermill and sawmill.
• Perform any tasks as requested by supervision.

Skills

Knife maintenance experience

Hand tools proficiency

Attention to detail

Physical stamina

Troubleshooting

Team communication

Job description

The Opportunity:

Working as a Knife Changer, you'll play a vital role in ensuring our knives are sharp, well-maintained, and ready to tackle any job. You'll be responsible for the maintenance of all our knives, helping us produce the best quality products possible. If you take pride in your craft and enjoy working in a hands‑on, dynamic environment, this opportunity at our Sawmill in DeRidder, LA, might be what you’re looking for. Join us and put your skills to use to help keep our modern sawmill running at peak performance.

This role is a full-time permanent position working nights Monday-Friday and possible weekends.

What you will do as a Knife Changer:

• Maintain, repair and change knives used in sawmill machinery to ensure optimal performance.
• Operate and maintain equipment used for knife sharpening and alignment.
• Inspect knives for defects, ensuring they meet our high-quality standards.
• Follow all safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for yourself and your colleagues.
• Diagnose and resolve issues with knives and related equipment.
• Keep track of knife inventory, ensuring we have the necessary supplies and tools on hand.
• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance and repairs performed on knives.
• Work closely with mill operators and other team members to ensure seamless production processes.
• General cleanup throughout mill including planermill and sawmill.
• Any tasks as requested by supervision.

Experience and skills that will help you stand out:

• Previos experience as a Knife Technician or in a similar role, preferably in a sawmill setting.
• Proficiency in operating general hand tools.
• Exceptional attention to detail and precision in your work.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects, and handling sharp tools safely.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to think on your feet.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work well within a team.

At Canfor, we embrace diversity, valuing everyone’s unique qualities. We believe that inclusion and diversity are crucial for our productivity, creativity, innovation, and competitive edge. Our recruitment process is fair and equitable, based on qualifications and experience.

Why Canfor?

We're a global leader in low-carbon forest products like lumber, pulp, paper, wood pellets, and green energy. We prioritize innovation, environmental practices, and community support. In the U.S., we operate as Canfor Southern Pine, offering high-quality, sustainable Southern Yellow Pine.

Join us today, and together, we can build a sustainable future.

We appreciate all candidates' interest but will contact only those selected for interviews. Our hiring for various positions is ongoing and includes different screening processes such as behavioral assessments, references, criminal record checks, and drug testing, depending on the role and location.