Swing Shift Sawmill Lead

Northwest Hardwoods is the leading manufacturer of hardwood lumber in North America and a major supplier of panel products worldwide. As a fully integrated, global wood‑products company, NWH serves the furniture, flooring, cabinet, molding, and millwork industries and is committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

About the role

The Swing Shift Sawmill Lead is responsible for helping lead and coordinate sawmill operations on second shift. Reporting to the Sawmill Supervisor, this hourly, non‑exempt lead provides day‑to‑day direction, support, and accountability for shift employees while also performing hands‑on production work as needed. The role does not include hiring, termination, formal discipline, or final performance‑management decisions, but it does require communicating concerns, reinforcing expectations, and partnering with the supervisor to maintain a safe, productive, and accountable work environment.

Responsibilities

• Swing Shift Leadership & Coordination
  • Coordinate daily sawmill operations on swing shift in alignment with production goals and supervisor direction.
  • Provide day‑to‑day direction, support, and follow‑up for employees assigned to the shift.
  • Help assign work, monitor production flow, and adjust priorities as needed to support efficient operations.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for sawmill employees during the shift when direct supervisor oversight is not present.
  • Reinforce expectations related to safety, quality, productivity, attendance, communication, and teamwork.
  • Communicate employee performance, attendance, safety, quality, or conduct concerns to the Sawmill Supervisor.
  • Support a positive, professional, and accountable work environment.
• Sawmill Operations & Production Support
  • Support the safe and efficient operation of sawmill production equipment and processes.
  • Monitor production flow and help identify issues that may impact throughput, quality, or uptime.
  • Work in production positions as needed to support staffing needs, breaks, coverage, and production priorities.
  • Assist employees with operational questions, equipment concerns, and production‑related issues.
  • Help ensure employees understand assigned tasks, work expectations, and production priorities.
  • Support start‑up, shutdown, cleanup, and shift‑transition activities.
  • Help maintain consistent production performance during the shift.
• Safety & Quality
  • Lead by example in following all company safety policies, procedures, and work rules.
  • Reinforce safe work practices and ensure employees work in a safe and responsible manner.
  • Identify and communicate unsafe conditions, behaviors, or equipment concerns promptly.
  • Support completion of safety checks, housekeeping expectations, and corrective actions as needed.
  • Monitor lumber quality and production standards throughout the shift.
  • Identify quality concerns and take appropriate action to communicate or correct issues.
  • Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Troubleshooting & Maintenance Coordination
  • Identify production, equipment, and process issues that may impact safety, quality, or production flow.
  • Communicate equipment problems, downtime, and repair needs to maintenance and site leadership.
  • Coordinate with maintenance employees regarding equipment issues, lockout/tagout needs, repair priorities, and operational impacts.
  • Support troubleshooting efforts by providing clear information about equipment conditions, timing, and production concerns.
  • Help restart and return equipment to operation after repairs or adjustments when appropriate.
  • Escalate urgent issues to the Sawmill Supervisor or other appropriate leadership as needed.
• Communication & Shift Handoff
  • Maintain clear communication with employees, maintenance, and site leadership throughout the shift.
  • Provide accurate updates regarding production status, staffing, equipment issues, safety concerns, quality issues, and other shift activity.
  • Support effective handoff between shifts to ensure continuity of operations.
  • Document or communicate key issues, follow‑up items, and unresolved concerns as needed.
  • Partner with the Sawmill Supervisor to ensure expectations are understood and consistently reinforced.
• Training, Teamwork & Continuous Improvement
  • Assist with training employees on sawmill processes, safe work practices, and job expectations.
  • Provide coaching and guidance to employees in a professional and constructive manner.
  • Support development of newer employees by helping them understand production flow, equipment operation, and quality expectations.
  • Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, communication, and work processes.
  • Participate in continuous improvement efforts and support implementation of operational changes.
  • Demonstrate leadership maturity, dependability, and sound judgment in daily decision‑making.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• 3+ years of sawmill, wood products, or manufacturing experience preferred.
• Prior lead, relief lead, trainer, or informal leadership experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of sawmill production flow, safety, quality, and equipment operation.
• Ability to provide direction, coaching, and support to employees in a professional manner.
• Ability to communicate clearly with employees, supervisors, maintenance, and site leadership.
• Ability to identify production, safety, quality, and equipment concerns and respond appropriately.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions when direct supervisor oversight is not present.
• Strong work ethic, dependability, and commitment to accountability.
• Ability to work hands‑on in production positions as needed.
• Ability to work swing shift/second shift, overtime, weekends, and adjusted schedules as needed.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and perform physical work in a manufacturing environment.

Schedule

This is a full‑time, hourly, non‑exempt swing (second) shift position. Availability for overtime, weekends, and adjusted schedules is required.