Careers
Jobs... That's what your're going to find here. The wood products industry has lots of jobs. Jobs with varying levels or responsibility and pay. This website is going to hlep you sort them all out.
Job Overview - This is a very good thing. A must read for first-times. It shows how we're categorizing jobs in the industry. It also explains how different jobs fit inot the various wood products operations.
Job Profiles - Browse through here and get a sense of what the jobs are link in terms of dutie, pay and reponsibilities. AND access " REAL JOBS, REAL PEOPLE". There are almost 100 of them. And they are cool because real people were interviewed abuit heir jobs.
They didn't pull any punches. They tell it like it is.
Couple of Points to Remeber
Point #1
There are no job advertisements here. What you are going to find are descriptions of jobs, complete with advice on how to best prepare yourself to get those jobs, and the inside scoop on what these jobs are REALLY like.
Point #2
The forest industry is MASSIVE. This database does not deal with the whole industry. It explores careers in sawmilling through to high end manufacturing. It also covers the jobs in companies selling goods and services to the wood industry.
Point #3.
This database profiles both Canadian and US workers.When comparing salaries and wages remember that the US $ is worth about 30% more than the Canadian $.
All clear? Good.
Let's start at the beginning.
We cover careers in both primary (sawmills) and secondary manufacturing (all others). We also include careers in tertiary companies-companies that sell goods and services to wood products companies (ie. equipment suppliers, consultants, etc.).
Now, many of the job titles sound similar. But the levels of responsibility can change drastically. Primary operations tend to employ more people. Some have several hundred employees. Secondary manufacturers are often much smaller. Most have fewer than 100 employees.
There are many ways to categorize these jobs. We've chosen to place them under five main headings:
MANAGEMENT is sort of self-explanatory. Managers run the show in any business. They have the most responsibility. And they usually make the most money.
Now, you'll find they wind up with many different titles. Titles like...
* Owner (this is the best one to get)
* President
* Vice-President
* General Manager
* Quality Manager
* Engineering Manager
* Sales Manager
* Planning Manager
* Marketing Director
* Advertising & Trade Show Manager
* Director of Operations
* Manager of Logistics and Systems
* Plant Manager
* Assistant ManagerNow, obviously if they are managing a primary sawmill their job will be radically different than if they are overseeing a small furniture company or equipment supplier.
But in each sector, managers are ultimately responsible for:
* hiring and training staff,
* providing leadership and direction to the company,
* ensuring they have enough timber/raw material supply,
* developing, selling, producing and shipping product,
* planning and overseeing renovations,
* finding new and better ways of doing things,
* and turning a profit.Clearly, this is too much work for a single individual. Managers must delegate responsibility. And thus, the supervisor was created.
Supervisors usually oversee the day to day running of the operation. Their titles range, as do their areas of responsibility.
A sawmill will have (among others):
* Quality Control Supervisor
* Finishing End Superintendent
* Yard Supervisor/Foreman
* Quality Process Coordinator
* Maintenance SuperintendentIn small secondary plants, the number of supervisors drops rapidly.
But you'll find...* Quality Control Supervisor
* Capital Project Safety Coordinator
* Production Supervisor/Manager
* Turning Room Supervisor
* Shop Foreman
* Yard Lead Hand
* Supervisor TraineeYou may also find, as in the primary sector, a maintenance supervisor who is ultimately responsible for the equipment.
And, the skilled tradespeople.
In primary and secondary operations, skilled tradespeople work directly with both supervisors and the production crew. They are the people who fix, build and maintain machines, electrical systems, air systems and energy systems.
A sawmill will employ many skilled tradespeople, particularly millwrights.
A small secondary plant, on the other hand, may have only one millwright. They might also have a journeyman carpenter. Other skilled trades would likely be brought in on a contract basis.
Equipment manufacturers hire skilled trades people to build and install their custom machines. And it's got to be done right. Because if the machine doesn't work right, the plant can't produce product right and everyone loses.
Skilled tradespeople have usually undergone a four-year apprenticeship training program. And they are paid well because they are experts.
There are many skilled trades:
* Millwright
* Electrician
* Welder/Fabricator
* Machinist
* Carpenter
* Cabinet MakerSkilled tradespeople are vitally important in any operation. Good maintenance, efficient installations, and timely repairs can save a company a lot of money.
Because when a machine breaks down, production stops and everybody loses money!
Production workers are the heart of any primary or secondary wood products operation.
That's because they are the ones who actually make the products. They operate the machines. They move wood through the production line until it becomes a finished product. They package the product and mark it for distribution.
Many of these jobs involve using computer controlled equipment. Companies need employees who can program and trouble shoot with these machines to keep them operating at maximum efficiency.
In sawmills, you'll find jobs like...
* Grader
* Sawyers
* Kiln/Energy System Attendant
* Planer Operator
* General Labourers
* Forklift Operators
* Shipper/ReceiverIn secondary plants, the positions vary drastically depending on what product is being made. You'll find...
* CNC operator
* Machine Operator
* Grinderperson
* Optimizing Saw Operator
* Moulder Operator
* Finished Product Grader
* Packager/Charge Hand
* Forklift Operator
* Lathe Technician
* Wrapper/Shipper-Receiver
* Bagger
* Tennoner Operator
* Fingerjoint Operator
* LaminatorProduction workers these days are constantly adapting to new ways of doing things. Machinery is changing rapidly. It's becoming more computerized and increasingly sophisticated. The industry is in the midst of a technological revolution and that means companies need a lot more professional and technical expertise.
PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT STAFF
These are the people who help companies stay on the cutting edge. They are found in primary and secondary operations, as well as in companies supplying goods and services to the industry. They are experts in their field.
These people are in demand. They include...
* Engineer
* Consultant
* Computer Expert
* Salesperson/Marketing Expert
* Accountant/Controller
* Communications Expert
* Forest Renewal Supervisor
* Researcher
* Transportation Coordinator
* Personnel Manager
* CNC Programmer
* Product Planner
* Furniture Engineering Draftsperson
* Production & Freight Coordinator
* CAD/CAM Operator
* Statistical Analyst
* Project Manager
* Mechanical Engineering Technologist
* Customer Support Representative
* Mechanical Engineering Designer
* Service Technician
* Field Service Representative
* Technical Applications Specialist
* Administrative AssistantPeople in these types of positions have generally taken additional education and training beyond high school. They are well paid for their expertise and initiative.
This database contains over 100 in-depth profiles of Real Jobs, Real People. We have broken this listing down into three broad categories based on the area of business a company is involved in.
Management
* General manager/VP, Ken Kalesnikoff, Kalesnikoff Lumber Co.
* Plant manager, Dwight Wilson, Pope & TalbotSupervisors
* Yard supervisor/foreman, Clare Verigir, Kalesnikoff Lumber Co.
* Quality control assistant, Andre Boruck, Pope & Talbot
* Quality control supervisor, Craig Powell, Crestbrook Forest Industries
* Quality control supervisor, Mitch Stoochnoff, Crestbrook Forest Industries
* Finishing end superintendent, Ken Prest, Lignum Ltd.
* Quality process coordinator, Chris Fancy, Northwood Pulp & TimberSkilled Trades
* Millwright,Brad Ingram, Crestbrook Forest Industries
* Machinist, James Jack, Lignum Ltd.Production
* Lumber grader, Argon Bailey, Kalesnikoff Lumber Co.
* Kiln/energy system attendant, Brian Downing, Lignum Ltd.Professional, Technical & Support
* Communications manager, Laurie Grant, Daishowa-Marubeni
* Marketing representative, Ken Stanick, Balfour Guthrie Forest Products
* Accounts payable,Yvonne Piper, Interfor Fraser Mills
* Computer programmer/analyst, Susan Brennan, Interfor Fraser Mills
* Transportaion coordinator,Barnie Hong, Balfour Guthrie
* Administrative assistant, Angela Sam, Canfor Research & Development
* Research technologist, Jeff Eng, Canfor Research & Development
* Marketing assistant, John Bae, Canfor Wood Products Marketing
* Junior project engineer, Helen Rasmussen, Crestbrook Forest Industries
* Consultant, Russ Kinghorn, Kinghorn systems Engineering *
* Forest Renewal supervisor, Kerry Deschamps, Northwood Pulp & TimberManagement
* Quality Manager, Adam Hofmann, Palliser Furniture
* Owner/designer, Judson Beaumont, Straight Line Design
* Sales manager, Dan Warren, Canpar
* Engineering manager, George Novotny, Canpar
* Planning manager, Brian Hartman, Canwood Furniture
* Marketing director, Bill Billups, KeePee Laminating
* General manager, John Talbot, Milestone
* Entrepeneur, Chris LeBlanc, The Great Canadian Crate Co.
* Shop foreman / Vice President,Clay Hill, Kay Hill & Sons
* Owner, Kay Hill, Kay Hill & Sons
* Plant Manager, Bobby Barger, Century Furniture
* Product Engineering Manager, Scott Goodson, Century FurnitureSupervisors
* CNC programmer/production manager, Murray Roach, M&J Wood Products
* Shop foreman, Ken Janzen, Ostrov Doors
* Supervisor trainee, Caroline Hoff, Canadian Woodworks
* Quality control supervisor, Mike Sookochoff, Canpar
* Capital project safety coordinator, Michael Reinsdorf, Weldwood
* Yard lead hand, Alex Hutchison, Canadian Woodworks
* Production supervisor/plant operator, Gilbert Rend, Pellet Flame Inc.
* Turning room supervisor, Michael Crosby, Charles D. RobertsSkilled Trades
* Millwright,kiln&boiler operator, Duane Oryal, SnowCap
* Carpenter, Brian Ek, Canwood Furniture
* Millwright, Roy Zschiedrick, Weldwood
* Welder/fabricator, Clayton McDonald, C&C Wood ProductsProduction
* CNC operator, Doumphet Phanthavongs, Kitchen Craft
* Senior machine operator, Paul Smith, Kitchen Craft
* Apprentice lathe technician, Dave Kapusta, BW Creative Wood
* Grinderman, Ed Granholm, BW Creative Wood
* Optimizing saw operator, Daniel Metz, Canadian Woodworks
* Grinderman,Jay Hiecherl, Canwood Furniture
* Moulder operator, Tom Simas, Canwood Furniture
* Finished product grader, Debbie Vickers, Milestone
* Forklift operator, Ann McKay, Weldwood
* Moulder operator, Han Lan, C&C Wood Products
* Packager/charge hand, Michelle Scheiver, C&C Wood Products
* Bagger, Lisa Robinson, Pellet Flame Inc
* Wrapper/shipper receiver, Claude Brin, Pellet Flame Inc
* Optimizer saw operator, Noel Rangl, Charles D. Roberts
* Apprentice cabinet maker, Anthony Carlton, Kay Hill & SonsProfessional, Technical & Support
* Industrial engineer, Stuart Fengler, Loewen Industries
* Personnel manager, Anita Funk, Loewen Industries
* Shoda facilitator(CNC Programmer), Dan Sanduliak, Palliser
* Furniture engineering draftsperson, Allen Buhler, Palliser Furniture
* International consultant, John Ellison,
* Structural engineer, Robert Malczyk, J. Novacek & associates
* Controller, Rick Jones, Canpar
* Production & freight coordinator, Gord Smith, Canpar
* Cad/cam operator, Trent Jones, Canwood Furniture
* Product planner, Tania Xenis, Canwood Furniture
* Wood science co-op student, Rahim Lavji, Canwood Furniture
* Technical sales representative, Graham Anderson, KeePee Laminating
* Technical support, Jason Mager, Canadian Woodworks
* Statistial analyst, Brent Paulsen, Canadian Woodworks
* Project engineer, Kelly Jo Brauns, Century FurnitureManagement
* General manager, Bret Hopper, GreCon Machine Division
* Vice-president, Steve Lentz, GreCon
* Advertising & trade show manager, Thadeus Rodgers, Newman Machinery
* Director of opertions,J. Barry Waterland, Newman Machines
* Manager of logistics and systems, Deborah Watkins, Stiles Machinery
* President,Terry Jacks, Leitz Tooling
* Co-founder / Vice-president, Ingrid Volk, IMA EuropeanSupervisors
* Sorry, none as of yet
Skilled Trades
* Assembly electrician, Michele Washburn, Newman Machine
* EDM operator, Larry Weidenbenner, Leitz ToolingProfessional, Technical & Support
* Senior engineer, Bruce Lehmann, Thin Kerf Technologies
* Mechanical engineering technologist, Grant Hiebert, Newnes Machine Ltd.
* Customer support representative, Kelly DeMille, Newnes Machine Ltd.
* Project manager, Geoff Wight, Newnes Machine Ltd.
* Mechanical engineering designer, Nick Proteau, Newnes Machine Ltd.
* Service Technician, Steve Call, GreCon
* Field service representative, Mike Macon, Stiles Machinery
* Applications engineer, David Kurakazusampson, Stiles Machinery
* Senior applications engineer, Harry Gunsche, Leitz Tooling
* Technical applications specialist, Frankie Gilliarn, IMA European
* Service technician, Neil Thompson, IMA European
