Saw Filer

Compass Business Solutions, Inc.•Plain Dealing, LA

43d•$29 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of 3 years of saw filing experience in a sawmill, lumber, or wood products environment
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
Flexibility to work early mornings, weekends, and on-call as production needs require.

Nice To Haves

Formal saw filing apprenticeship or equivalent vocational training strongly preferred.
Circular, band, and gang saw experience preferred.
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.

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.