Planer Machine Operator/ Millwright

Big River Forest Products • Coushatta, LA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Coushatta Forest Products is hiring a Planer Machine Operator/Millwright in Coushatta, Louisiana. This position safely operates and monitors planer mill equipment to process lumber to specified dimensions, grades, and quality standards. The operator helps maintain efficient production through consistent machine operation, routine inspections and adjustments, and early identification of equipment or product issues.

The job is performed in person in a manufacturing plant and sawmill environment. Employees are frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, with moderate-to-high noise levels depending on the mill area. The role involves standing, walking, sitting, handling tools or controls, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and communicating. It requires close and distance vision and depth perception, as well as lifting and moving boards and wood pieces; employees may occasionally need to lift or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Proven experience operating industrial machinery in a plant, manufacturing, or production environment.
• Proven experience installing, maintaining, and repairing industrial machinery.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Knowledge of planer operations and mechanical systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong skills for interacting with team members.
• Practical knowledge and application of basic safety practices and use of power tools.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform the physical activities described for the role, including moving boards and wood pieces and occasionally lifting or moving up to 30 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate 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 dimensional variations.
• Follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, wear required personal protective equipment, and safely clear debris or jams.
• Feed and stage lumber with the correct orientation, rate, and spacing to support production flow and prevent jams, misfeeds, or equipment damage.
• Identify lumber defects and variations, and promptly report or remove non-conforming product.
• Complete pre-shift inspections to ensure guards, rolls, conveyors, and other components are safe for operation before startup.
• Operate sorting, stacking, and material-handling equipment to organize finished lumber by grade, species, and dimension.
• Maintain production counts, shift logs, downtime records, and quality information for assigned equipment and work areas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED