Planer Operator

J.D. Irving, Limited•Dixfield, ME

4d•$20 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled and safety-conscious Planer Operator to join our wood manufacturing team. In this role, you will set up, operate, and monitor high-speed industrial planer mill machinery to process rough Eastern White pine lumber into high-quality, finished dressed lumber. You will ensure maximum production efficiency, prevent material jams, and strictly adhere to dimensional tolerances and grade specifications using both manual controls and automated scanning technology.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
Ability to use mechanical hand tools, precision gauges, and basic computer interfaces.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for long periods, work in dusty or high-noise environments, and tolerate varying temperature conditions.
Strong spatial awareness, rapid problem-solving skills, and a reliable team-first attitude.

Nice To Haves

1–3 years of experience operating machinery in a sawmill, planer mill, or heavy industrial manufacturing or machinist environment is preferred.
Knowledge of lumber grading standards (e.g., Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association/NELMA rules) is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

Inspect, start up, and safely operate the planer machine, infeed/outfeed components, and corresponding conveyor systems.
Set up and adjust cutting speeds, depth of cuts, and guide rails according to production dimensions using wrenches, gauges, and hand tools.
Monitor automated laser scanning systems and display monitors to ensure pine lumber is surfaced exactly to correct specifications and quality grading rules.
Clear lumber jams quickly and safely, minimizing downtime while keeping upstream and downstream team members informed.
Perform basic preventive maintenance, including checking machine lubrication, replacing worn planer knives or cutter heads, and clearing sawdust accumulation using compressed air, brooms, and shovels.
Maintain a clean, organized workstation and adhere strictly to all company safety policies, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols, and machine guarding rules.