Sawmill Timber Production Operator

If you’d like a job where you’re part of a team – and a chain in which other people rely on you and what you do – check out a career as a Timber Production Operator.

You could start of in a simple labouring job – but you’ll have opportunities to skill-up and learn every job your team does. Typically, you’ll rotate through a range of roles every shift.

You’ll also make a difference because you’ll be producing one of the world’s most environmentally friendly building materials – sustainably sourced timber.

As you gain skills you could advance to a Timber Production Technician or Timber Production Coordinator.

Role:

As a Timber Production Operator you could do a wide range of tasks including:

Lifting and carrying timber
Operating high-tech machinery
Timber grading and selection.

Responsibilities:

The job responsibilities vary according to the role, however working safely and following appropriate OH&S practices is essential.

Ideal attributes:

You’ll enjoy working in a team environment, have good hand-eye coordination, be interested in the timber you are producing and understand the value of the product you are handling.

You won’t mind shift work and will always put your safety and that of your workmates first.

Qualifications:

You can start out as a Timber Production Operator with no qualifications, however many people in the role study Certificate I and higher qualifications.

Employers in the forest and wood products industry are very supportive of ongoing training and skills development.

Employers:

Employers include:

Hardwood and softwood sawmills and processors

Mark Kirkpatrick - Leading Hand

Position:

Leading Hand

Company:

Wespine Industries

Qualifications:

Relief Supervisor

Age:

What are your responsibilities as a leading hand?
I maintain safety and ensure efficiency across our production line, which involves organising workers to specific jobs, and monitoring their performance.

There are usually twenty or more people on a shift, so I’m kept busy!

What do your enjoy about your job?

While my boss works upstairs overseeing the factory floor and ensuring we’re meeting targets, I’m on the floor working with other people. If people require help with an issue they might have with one of the jobs, I’ll go and assist them.

I enjoy that hands-on aspect. I also enjoy the team environment and the hours that we work as well.

What is your past experience in the industry?

I’ve worked as a timber processor, apprentice chippy and forklift driver. In that sense I’ve worked my way up through the company. It’s important to have a positive attitude, that way when an opportunity comes along you are ready to make the most of it.

Has much changed in your time in the industry?

I’ve been in this field for seven years, and when I started out most of the work was hard labour, but now the industry is much more technologically advanced and many of the processes have been computerised. The manual labour is much less demanding now.

^{Please note: We spoke to Mark about his career and what he does day to day. We hope you find this useful and interesting – but please remember, that all jobs are not exactly the same and other roles with the same title may be different in many respects. You should confirm all the details of a particular job with the organisation offering it.}

“I enjoy the team environment and the hours that we work as well.”

Search jobs now!

Your future may be here

What career suits me?

Panel & Board Production Manager

Be responsible for the output of a manufacturing plant as a Panel and Board Production Manager.

Register Here

Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, email alerts for events and jobs or to simply add a comment. Join the GrowingCareers network today.

Primary links

Sawmill Timber Production Operator

Mark Kirkpatrick - Leading Hand

Search jobs now!

Register Here