Sawmill Supervisor

United Way of Greenville County; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Plain Dealing Lumber seeks a hands-on Sawmill Supervisor to direct daily operations on a shift, ensuring lumber is produced safely at target volume and grade.

This role leads Lead Operators and a multi-skilled crew, coordinating with Maintenance, Quality Control, Kilns, Planer Mill, and Shipping to meet production schedules and company standards.

Strong safety commitment, attendance discipline, and the ability to read production reports are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of sawmill or wood products manufacturing experience, including at least one (1) year in a lead or supervisor role.
• Ability to read production reports and use basic computer applications; familiarity with ProLiant preferred.
• Strong communication skills in English, both verbal and written; ability to direct and document issues clearly.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day sawmill operations on the assigned shift.
• Lead safety initiatives and ensure compliance with PPE, LOTO, and related policies.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, QC, Kilns, and Shipping to meet production targets and quality standards.
• Manage shift staffing, attendance, breaks, and overtime; supervise and develop crew members.

Skills

Safety leadership

Communication skills

Reading production reports

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate/Bachelor's in Wood Science or related

Tools

ProLiant familiarity

Production systems

Job description

Advertised Job Type: Permanent - Full-time regular employment

Work Type: On Site

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Sawmill Supervisor directs the day-to-day operation of the sawmill on an assigned shift, from log infeed through the sorter and stacker, to safely produce lumber at or above target volume, recovery, and grade. The Supervisor is the first-line leader for Lead Operators, Machine Operators, and Utility personnel, and is accountable for the safety, attendance, performance, and development of the crew. This is a hands-on, floor-based leadership role that requires constant presence in the mill, sound production judgment, and close coordination with Maintenance, Quality Control, Planer Mill, Kilns, and Shipping. The Supervisor reports to the Sawmill Superintendent and carries out the operating plan, production targets, and policies established by mill leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety

• Own the safety performance of the shift. Lead by example in PPE use, lockout/tagout, housekeeping, and mobile equipment interaction; stop work immediately when conditions are unsafe.
• Conduct pre-shift safety huddles, daily floor audits, and job safety observations; correct at-risk behavior on the spot and document findings.
• Ensure all crew members are trained and authorized on their equipment, understand the applicable JSA, and follow the general and machine-specific LOTO procedures.
• Lead first-response to incidents and near-misses on shift, secure the scene, notify the Superintendent and Safety, and complete incident reports and root-cause reviews within required timeframes.
• Enforce the Drug & Alcohol, Cell Phone & Personal Electronic Device, and Safety Eyewear policies consistently across the crew.

Production & Quality

• Plan the shift to meet daily and weekly production schedules by product mix, log deck inventory, and downstream (kiln and planer) needs; adjust staffing and machine center priorities as conditions change.
• Monitor throughput, uptime, recovery, and lumber size/grade at each machine center (debarker, primary breakdown, edger, trimmer, sorter, stacker); identify bottlenecks and take corrective action during the shift.
• Work with Quality Control to verify sawing accuracy, target sizes, and grade compliance; drive corrections to setworks, guides, and operator practice when product drifts from specification.
• Coordinate with the Saw Filer and Maintenance on saw changes, planned downtime, and breakdown response; prioritize repairs so that production impact is minimized.
• Manage log yard coordination for the shift to keep the infeed supplied with the correct species, diameter class, and length.
• Complete accurate end-of-shift reports covering production volume, downtime by cause, quality issues, staffing, and safety events; communicate carry-over items to the incoming Supervisor.
• Directly supervise the shift crew: assign positions, approve time and attendance in ProLiant, manage breaks and relief, and control overtime to plan.
• Apply the Attendance Policy and progressive discipline fairly and consistently; document coaching conversations and partner with Human Resources on written warnings, investigations, and terminations.
• Train and cross-train operators through the Operator tier structure; use Lead Operators to deliver on-the-job training and confirm competency before sign-off.
• Conduct 30-60-90-day check-ins for new hires and annual performance reviews for the crew; identify high-potential employees and recommend promotions and pay increases through the Internal Transfer & Promotion and Pay Increase processes.
• Set clear expectations, resolve conflicts early, and maintain a respectful work environment free of harassment; elevate employee relations concerns to Human Resources promptly.
• Participate in interviewing and selecting new production employees and support the onboarding process on the floor.
• Track and report shift KPIs (volume, recovery, uptime, cost per MBF, safety, attendance) and lead crew-level improvement actions.
• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and process changes by providing operator input and managing the change on the floor.
• Maintain housekeeping standards, control consumable and supply use, and manage shift-level costs within budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Sawmill Superintendent or Plant Manager.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of three (3) years of sawmill or wood products manufacturing experience, including at least one (1) year in a lead, supervisor, or equivalent leadership role.
• Working knowledge of sawmill machine centers, sawing and edging principles, lumber recovery, and grade rules.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, including lockout/tagout and OSHA general industry standards.
• Ability to read production reports and use basic computer applications (email, spreadsheets, HRIS/timekeeping); ability to learn PDL’s ProLiant and production systems.
• Strong communication skills in English, both verbal and written; ability to give clear direction and document issues accurately.
• Ability to work rotating or fixed shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by the production schedule.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen (zero THC tolerance) and background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Wood Science, Forest Products, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of sawmill experience with progressive responsibility; experience with optimized sawing systems and scanning/optimization software.
• Formal supervisory or leadership training; experience administering attendance and progressive discipline policies.
• Lumber grading certification or equivalent grade-rule knowledge; experience working with QC on sizing and recovery programs.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methods.
• Forklift certification and mobile equipment experience.

P HYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in an industrial sawmill environment with exposure to high noise levels, wood dust, sap, moving machinery, mobile equipment, elevated walkways, and variable temperatures and humidity, including extreme heat in summer and cold in winter.
• Must be able to walk and stand for the majority of a 10- to 12-hour shift, climb stairs and ladders, and access elevated platforms and confined equipment areas.
• Frequently required to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds; occasionally lift heavier objects with assistance.
• Must maintain visual and auditory awareness of surroundings in a fast-moving production environment and be able to communicate over radio and in person.
• Required PPE includes hard hat, safety eyewear, hearing protection, steel-toe or composite-toe boots, high-visibility vest, and gloves; additional PPE as required by task.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Plain Dealing Lumber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.