Knife Grinder Operator

Position: KNIFE GRINDER OPERATOR
Job Title:

KNIFE GRINDER OPERATOR

Posting

Start Date:

6/8/26

Division:
Woodgrain Millwork

Posting Area:
Operations + Manufacturing

Job Location:

Americus, GA

Looking for stability? Join Woodgrain! We're growing fast and offering lifetime careers in a supportive work environment.

About Woodgrain:

Woodgrain is one of the top millwork operations in the world, with locations throughout the United States and Chile. With 70 years of quality manufacturing craftsmanship and service, Woodgrain is a top producer of mouldings, doors, and windows, as well as a premier distributor of specialty building products. Woodgrain Inc. is headquartered in Fruitland, Idaho with six divisions and over 45 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in the United States and South America.

Since 1954, Woodgrain is proud to be family owned and operated.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities, Expectations and Performance Measures

• Champion Safety. Safety is the upmost priority. Maintains a healthy work environment by following all company standards, policies, and procedures as well as those required by state and federal law.
• Be the expert in keeping the machinery operating as efficiently as possible.
• Perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting of machinery.
• Operates grinding machine according to specifications.
• Sharpens or shapes knives and saw blades.
• Positions and secures profile knives and cutter heads onto machine.
• Turns hand wheels to set travel and pressure of cutter head or knife stock across or against grinding wheel to shape or sharpen knives.
• Hones cutting edge of ground knives.
• Cuts and grinds jointing stones to match pattern of knives.
• Manipulates blade across grinding wheel by hand to follow template and ensure proper profile.
• Turns valve to control flow of coolant.
• May perform routine machine adjustments.
• Properly uses and maintains tools and precision measuring devices as required to perform job.
• Maintains saw filing equipment and an organized Filing Room.
• Ensures proper machine alignment to produce specified cut.
• Monitor upstream and downstream parts to ensure they are within specification and effectively communicate with others to work out solutions for off-grade parts.
• Collect and record processing data and ensure operating equipment is within the optimal settings; must be able to operate within strict parameters and follow documented settings.
• Observe other activities on the line and work and communicate with other team members to reduce downtime and improve output.
• Quick and efficient setup to reduce downtime during changeovers.
• Operate with a sense of urgency and pride in fulfilling all job functions.
• An aspiration for continuous process improvements and striving for operational excellence.
• Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery and equipment.
• Monitor quality and understand how to resolve various types of defects.
• Ability to work safely and help others.
• Daily 5S and housekeeping of the work area.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• High school/GED.
• Minimum of 2 years grinding experience in a manufacturing environment and/or on the job training.
• Experience in fitting round and band saws, tensioning, and leveling round saws, band saws, and welding.
• Ability to effectively communicates in English, both verbally and in writing. Additional languages preferred.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively.
• Ability to work alone as well and collaborate in a team environment.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• The ability to successfully use a computer without assistance to complete assigned tasks. SAP knowledge preferred.
• The ability to read and comprehend written instructions as required to complete assigned tasks.
• Willing and able to maintain strict adherence to safety rules and regulations, including wearing safety equipment, e.g., safety glasses, hearing protection, and other PPE as required by specific jobs.
• Willing and able to work in a hot, humid, cold, and noisy industrial environment.
• High level attention to detail.
• Troubleshooting and diagnostics abilities.
• Ability to document and track settings and parameters for operating equipment.
• Ability to read both slide and digital…