Who We Are

Vanderwell is an Alberta, family-owned company operating in northern Alberta for more than 80 years. We have a modern sawmill, planer mill, and pellet mill facilities, which produce dimensional lumber, wood pellets, shavings, and chips for wholesale customers.

We’re a major employer in the local region, we have more than 150 employees working throughout the operation -- mill production, sales & shipping, woodlands, truck and mobile equipment shops, and administration. Contract and part-time employees are also employed in mill production, maintenance, transportation, and seasonal activities.

What We Offer

Vanderwell offers stable, long-term employment which provides our employees with a good standard of living. We offer competitive wages with a full benefits plan, as well as optional RSP plans.

The Opportunity

We are currently looking to hire a Sawmill Head Saw Filer for our manufacturing facilities in Mitsue Industrial Park. Job duties include:

Reenforces safe work practices, identifying and correcting safety behavior and hazards, and ensuring proper safety training for the saw filing team
Performs precise tasks such as sharpening teeth (filing), shaping gullets (gumming), adjusting cutting widths (fitting), and leveling and tensioning (benching) all types of saws, including circular saws, bandsaws and knives
Diagnoses sawing defects (e.g., vibration, heat distortion) and works with mill operations to solve cutting performance issues and maximize equipment reliability
Establishes and enforces quality control standards within the filing shop to ensure consistent and high-quality lumber production
Troubleshoots, maintains, and calibrates precision saw filing machinery, including automated CNC grinders, stretchers, and specialized measuring instruments
Changes saws and knives in all machines as well as assists maintenance in sawmill floor alignments

Working Conditions:

Exposed to noise, dust, falling debris, moving machinery, weather extremes, splinters, slipping and tripping hazards
Lifting heavy, awkward objects and climbing on equipment may be required
Required use of PPE appropriate for the task and working conditions

Must have:

Advanced knowledge of saw mechanics, metallurgy, and the functionality of various sawmill machines (e.g., Cutoff Saws, Barkers, Canters, Head Rigs, Edgers, Trimmers, Chippers, Planers)
Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills to diagnose complex issues and implement effective solutions quickly
A valid provincial or inter-provincial Journeyperson Saw Filer certification
Proven safety leadership and strong interpersonal skills for communication, conflict management, and mentoring junior staff

If this position sounds like a fit for you, please apply directly through the portal.

We thank all candidates for their interest; only candidates selected to advance in our recruitment process will be contacted.

About Us

Vanderwell has operated in northern Alberta for more than 80 years manufacturing forest products for both domestic and international markets. We are a family-owned company that has established a strong reputation in the forest industry of delivering high-quality products and making a real difference in the communities where we work and live.

Why Join Vanderwell

Vanderwell offers stable, long-term employment along with extended health and dental benefits, and matching employee RRSP contributions. Bi-weekly physiotherapy services are available to employees on site, and free, confidential counselling services are available through our EFAP program.

Employment

Most of the people who work at Vanderwell are in production and manufacturing positions. As a major employer in the local region, we directly employ more than 170 people throughout our facilities: sawmill, planer mill, pellet mill, truck, maintenance, and machine shops, mobile equipment shop, log and lumber yard operations, dry kilns, woodlands, and sales & administration.

Trades People and Professionals

The people who work at Vanderwell bring a variety of skills and abilities. One of those areas is the different trades that we require to carry out the many aspects of our business safely and effectively. As well, Vanderwell employs and provides support to people in apprenticeship positions.

A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

We fully support a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the right thing to do, and it also creates a better and stronger business.

Our History

Vanderwell is one of Alberta’s founding lumber companies, first established in 1943. We started as a small seasonal logging and sawmill operation based in the Keephills area, south of Wabamun Lake. Since then, we have grown and moved locations until 1978, when our entire operation settled into the Slave Lake area where we continue today.

At Vanderwell, Safety Leads

We are committed to the health and safety of all employees, contractors, and visitors. We do this through a safety program that fully embraces a healthy, safe, and injury-free workplace.

Sustainability

Sustainable forest management is a top priority in everything we do. All timber land Vanderwell manages is harvested in a sustainable, responsible way that balances ecological, economic, and social needs and does not adversely affect other ecosystems. Our primary focus is always to ensure the forest remains healthy and is there for future generations.

Giving Back

We have always believed in supporting our communities. We are proud to support and be part of the Slave Lake Friendship Centre’s Holiday Hamper and Santa’s Anonymous. We have donated lumber to the Slave Lake Fire Department for some building projects. Vanderwell has supplied, and continues to supply, the lumber for the industrial education classes at Roland Michener Secondary School in Slave Lake as well as many other schools in our community.

Sawmill Head Saw Filer