Sawmill Lead

Big River Forest Products•Vicksburg, MS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Sawmill Employee is responsible for coordinating daily sawmill operations on the production floor to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality output. This position works hands-on with sawmill equipment, supports production employees, and serves as the primary point of contact for workflow, training, and problem-solving during assigned shifts. The Lead plays a key role in maintaining safety standards, meeting production goals, and supporting continuous improvement across all sawmill functions.

Requirements

Minimum 2–3 years of sawmill or wood-processing experience required.
Strong knowledge of sawmill equipment, production flow, and lumber specifications.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead and motivate a team.
Proven commitment to safety and quality standards.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, physical environment with varying temperatures and conditions.
Ability to lift 50+ pounds and stand for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Previous lead or senior-level production experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor daily production activities to ensure targets are met or exceeded.
Operate and assist with various sawmill machinery, including saws, edgers, trimmers, conveyors, and material-handling equipment.
Troubleshoot minor equipment issues and promptly report mechanical concerns to maintenance.
Ensure lumber is processed according to customer specifications, quality standards, and mill requirements.
Coordinate job assignments, rotations, and workflow to maintain production efficiency.
Lead by example and enforce all safety rules, PPE requirements, and company policies.
Conduct pre-shift safety checks and ensure equipment guarding and lockout/tagout procedures are followed.
Identify hazards and escalate concerns to management promptly.
Support incident reporting and promote a strong safety culture within the crew.
Provide direction and support to sawmill operators, utility workers, and production line employees.
Train new hires and cross-train existing employees on equipment, procedures, and safety standards.
Maintain a positive, professional work environment and serve as a role model for teamwork and communication.
Communicate shift updates, performance issues, and production needs to supervisors.
Monitor product quality at each stage of the process.
Ensure proper lumber grading, sizing, stacking, and sorting procedures are followed.
Address quality issues promptly and adjust operations as needed to maintain standards.
Document production metrics, downtime logs, and shift reports accurately.
Assist with inventory counts, order fulfillment, and communication with management regarding material needs.
Participate in continuous improvement meetings and support process improvements.