KEY ATTRIBUTES:
- Mechanical aptitude and confidence working with CNC equipment
- Attention to detail with a focus on part accuracy, cut quality, and minimizing scrap
- Ability to read and follow work orders, setup sheets, cut lists, and production drawings
- Safe material handling practices for plywood and lumber
- Reliable, safety-focused, and able to work independently
- Comfort identifying issues and communicating them quickly
- Team-oriented with a steady, production-focused work style
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Machine Setup & Operation:
- Set up and operate the Onsrud M Series CNC router with Fanuc controller for daily production
- Load plywood sheets and wood lumber safely and accurately onto the machine
- Change router bits and tooling as needed for each job
- Run approved jobs and monitor machine performance, cut quality, and output
- Check first-off and in-process parts to ensure they meet requirements
- Unload, sort, and move finished parts to the next stage of production
- Report machine issues, tooling concerns, alarms, or material problems promptly
- Complete basic production records and keep the work area organized
Program Execution & Job Readiness:
- Run approved CNC jobs using the Fanuc controller
- Confirm the correct program, tooling, and material before each run
- Follow setup sheets, work instructions, and supervisor direction
- Work closely with the design department to communicate cut issues, program-related concerns, and feedback from the machine
- No CNC programming or program editing is required for this role
Quality Control & Inspection:
- Inspect first-off and in-process parts for size, profile, and overall cut quality
- Check for tear-out, chipping, burn marks, and material defects
- Use basic measuring tools such as tape measures, calipers, and squares
- Separate non-conforming parts and report issues quickly
- Help reduce scrap and rework through accurate setup and inspection
Tooling & Material Management:
- Monitor router bit condition and change tooling when needed
- Handle plywood sheets and lumber safely and carefully
- Confirm the correct material type and thickness before starting a job
- Support efficient material use and good offcut handling practices
- Keep tooling, materials, and the work area clean and organized
Machine Maintenance & Workplace Safety:
- Complete routine pre-shift checks to confirm the machine is ready to run
- Keep the machine and surrounding area free of dust, chips, and offcuts
- Report machine faults, poor cut performance, or maintenance concerns right away
- Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout where required
- Wear required PPE such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear
- Maintain a safe, organized work area and report hazards promptly
Team Collaboration & Continuous Improvement:
- Communicate production status, quality concerns, and machine issues clearly
- Work closely with supervisors, maintenance, production team members, and the design department that creates CNC programs
- Share machine-side feedback to help support accurate and efficient program execution
- Contribute to safe, efficient, and consistent production
Qualifications & Requirements:
Education & Certification
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- WHMIS / GHS certification required or willingness to complete upon hire
- Forklift certification is an asset, particularly for material handling of sheet goods and lumber
- Additional health and safety training is considered an asset
Experience
- Previous CNC operating experience in a manufacturing environment is required
- Experience with CNC routers in wood products, millwork, cabinetry, furniture, or similar manufacturing is preferred
- Experience working with plywood, softwood, and hardwood materials is an asset
- Experience with Fanuc-controlled equipment is an asset
- Programming experience is not required
Technical Proficiency
- Ability to operate a Fanuc-controlled CNC router using approved jobs
- Experience with setup tasks such as loading material and changing tooling
- Ability to read drawings, cut lists, and setup instructions
- Comfort using basic measuring tools for part checks
- Strong awareness of safety in a wood-processing environment
Core Competencies
- Fanuc controller familiarity
- Part inspection and quality checks
- Tooling changes and setup
- Housekeeping and safety awareness
- Clear communication and teamwork
Working Conditions, Effort & Environment
Work Conditions:
- Shift-based production role; day, afternoon, or rotating shifts may be required
- Overtime may be required during busy periods
- Fast-paced environment with daily production goals
Physical Environment
- Wood products manufacturing environment with exposure to machine noise, dust, chips, and airborne particles; required PPE must be worn at all times as applicable
- Regular work around large sheet goods, lumber, moving equipment, and industrial machinery
- Work area may involve standing at the machine for extended periods and moving materials to and from the CNC router and adjacent production areas
Physical Effort
- Moderate physical effort required, including prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, and positioning materials during setup and operation
- Regular handling of plywood sheets, wood components, offcuts, and tooling; lifting requirements may vary by job and may require team lifting or material handling equipment
- Manual dexterity is required for tooling changes, machine adjustments, part inspection, and safe material handling
Mental Effort
- Requires a consistently high level of concentration and vigilance during machine operation and in-process inspection; lapses in attention can result in scrap, machine damage, or safety incidents
- Must be capable of rapidly diagnosing and responding to machine alarms, tooling failures, and unexpected dimensional deviations under production time pressure
- Regularly manages competing priorities including multiple concurrent machine setups, in-process quality checks, documentation requirements, and production schedule demands
- Problem-solving and critical thinking are required on a daily basis; the operator is expected to exercise sound independent judgment within the scope of their role
