What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dryer Feeder position at Swanson Group, Inc.?
Since our founding in 1951, Swanson Group has proudly remained a multigenerational, family-owned company. We are committed to fostering a welcome and supportive workplace where every team member is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
At Swanson Group, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, working alongside dedicated employees who share a passion for excellence. We believe in building a culture that encourages growth, collaboration, and long-term success.
Explore our current job openings and discover how you can become a valued member of the Swanson Group family today!
Position Title: Dryer Feeder
Reports To: Dryer Supervisor
Department: Dryers
Hours per shift: Employee works 8-hour shifts, with two 10-minute breaks, and 20-minute lunch.
Day: 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Swing: 3:00 P.M. to 11:30 P.M. Graveyard: 11:00 P.M. to 7:30 A.M.
Wage: Level 1
Position Purpose: Dryer Feeder will keep the veneer dryer at least 97% full of quality veneer while maintaining safety and quality by feeding sheets into the dryer. The worker will feed while moving back and forth on a platform in front of different sized stacks of green veneer. Feeder will keep up with the pace of the dryer, while maintaining safety and quality standards as outlined in the Job Hazard Analysis, Standard Operating Procedures, and other requirements as directed by the supervisor for the safe and efficient operation of the plant.
Position Functions:
Dryer Feeder: Essential Functions*
These duties are designated as ADA Essential Functions and must be performed in this job.
The worker is responsible for reaching forward, picking up individual sheets of veneer with one or both hands, and moving them forward several inches so that they can be picked up by the rollers of the veneer dryer equipment.
Movement back and forth on a platform as necessary, pushing sheets forward and properly aligning them to the receiving end of the dryer. Feeder will remove overlaps, ensure all fed sheets are unstacked, and discarding wane sheets as necessary.
Feeder must ensure dryer is full of veneer sheets and fed timely with each dryer cycle, according to supervisor expectations and production needs.
The worker will be responsible, through a series of pedals and buttons, for moving green veneer onto a scissors platform and maintaining the proper height at that platform at a comfortable waist/chest level.
At times, the machine will jam or plug up which will at times require the worker to remove or assist in removing the blockage. Both human and mechanical assistance will be available upon request, should the worker be unable to perform this activity alone. Proper Lock-out-tag-out procedures must be performed. Worker must use and understand dryers’ manual button operating system for power control.
Breaking of other dryer employees and rotation to different positions for cross-training purposes or to facilitate production as designated by the supervisor. Job duties for other positions are outlined in their individual Job Descriptions.
Assist co-workers or Maintenance personnel in basic maintenance procedures or fixing dryer plug-ups. Perform weekly maintenance, including greasing and oiling of machine parts as necessary for proper dryer function.
Perform routine weekly dryer cleanings: including the removal of cans/tubes and other machine parts from dyer basement, using water hoses to remove debris from inside the dryer, shoveling and sorting debris into proper waste boxes (by size and makeup), and replacing cleaned machine parts.
Feeder is responsible for cleanup activity during down times, changeovers, and between shifts. This activity will consist of removing veneer scrap or debris from the work area using a broom, rake, or shovel.
You are responsible for radio communication when the dryer is down.
Non-Essential Functions
These duties are secondary in nature and are not classified as ADA essential.
Perform other duties and functions as assigned by supervisor for production and cleaning purpose.
Working Environment: (1) Inside 90%, average temperature 80 degrees, extreme low temperature 10 degrees F, extreme high temperature 105 degrees F. (2) Outside 10%. Noise or vibration: Machine noise to include machine being operated as well as other machines close by including Forklifts. Hazards: See Job Hazard Analysis. (3) Atmospheric conditions: Dust: Limited, Mist: Water, Odors: Dry wood, Gasses: None, Poor Ventilation: None. The worker in this position will be standing on a wooden or metal surface with rubber mats on a slightly elevated platform. This platform measures approximately 4 feet wide and 14 feet long.
Personal Protective Equipment Required: (1) Eye Protection. (2) Hearing Protection. (3) Blue Atlas gloves when feeding re-dry veneer. (4) Approved Footwear.
Physical Demands: See the Physical Capabilities as listed below; this position requires constant use of hearing and vision, bilateral use of arms and hands, frequent bending, twisting, pushing/pulling and reaching, and occasional lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling more than 30 lbs.
Skills: Must successfully complete structured job training and testing to become a certified operator. Must have excellent hand eye coordination. Use vision/hearing continuously and must have peripheral vision to see the trays and co-workers. Reading and speech required to communicate comprehension of Job Hazard Analysis, machine specific lockout procedures, monthly safety training, etc. Worker generally works with another puller with little supervision. Operators must be self-directed in identifying and efficiently completing each task. Ability to prioritize, organize, and make necessary decisions.
Safety: (1) Do only maintenance you are trained to do and keep all body parts out of machinery. (2) Always use our 14-step lockout/tagout procedure before doing any maintenance, clearing jams, or getting into machinery for any reason; be aware of stored energy. (3) Always use proper body mechanics (ex: don’t overreach, get help as needed to push loads out). (4) Use proper PPE. (5) Maintain awareness and communicate with your co-worker at all times (ex: forklift driver). (6) Will be required to read and write during safety training.
Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law.
At Swanson Group, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, working alongside dedicated employees who share a passion for excellence. We believe in building a culture that encourages growth, collaboration, and long-term success.
Explore our current job openings and discover how you can become a valued member of the Swanson Group family today!
Position Title: Dryer Feeder
Reports To: Dryer Supervisor
Department: Dryers
Hours per shift: Employee works 8-hour shifts, with two 10-minute breaks, and 20-minute lunch.
Day: 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Swing: 3:00 P.M. to 11:30 P.M. Graveyard: 11:00 P.M. to 7:30 A.M.
Wage: Level 1
Position Purpose: Dryer Feeder will keep the veneer dryer at least 97% full of quality veneer while maintaining safety and quality by feeding sheets into the dryer. The worker will feed while moving back and forth on a platform in front of different sized stacks of green veneer. Feeder will keep up with the pace of the dryer, while maintaining safety and quality standards as outlined in the Job Hazard Analysis, Standard Operating Procedures, and other requirements as directed by the supervisor for the safe and efficient operation of the plant.
Position Functions:
Dryer Feeder: Essential Functions*
These duties are designated as ADA Essential Functions and must be performed in this job.
The worker is responsible for reaching forward, picking up individual sheets of veneer with one or both hands, and moving them forward several inches so that they can be picked up by the rollers of the veneer dryer equipment.
Movement back and forth on a platform as necessary, pushing sheets forward and properly aligning them to the receiving end of the dryer. Feeder will remove overlaps, ensure all fed sheets are unstacked, and discarding wane sheets as necessary.
Feeder must ensure dryer is full of veneer sheets and fed timely with each dryer cycle, according to supervisor expectations and production needs.
The worker will be responsible, through a series of pedals and buttons, for moving green veneer onto a scissors platform and maintaining the proper height at that platform at a comfortable waist/chest level.
At times, the machine will jam or plug up which will at times require the worker to remove or assist in removing the blockage. Both human and mechanical assistance will be available upon request, should the worker be unable to perform this activity alone. Proper Lock-out-tag-out procedures must be performed. Worker must use and understand dryers’ manual button operating system for power control.
Breaking of other dryer employees and rotation to different positions for cross-training purposes or to facilitate production as designated by the supervisor. Job duties for other positions are outlined in their individual Job Descriptions.
Assist co-workers or Maintenance personnel in basic maintenance procedures or fixing dryer plug-ups. Perform weekly maintenance, including greasing and oiling of machine parts as necessary for proper dryer function.
Perform routine weekly dryer cleanings: including the removal of cans/tubes and other machine parts from dyer basement, using water hoses to remove debris from inside the dryer, shoveling and sorting debris into proper waste boxes (by size and makeup), and replacing cleaned machine parts.
Feeder is responsible for cleanup activity during down times, changeovers, and between shifts. This activity will consist of removing veneer scrap or debris from the work area using a broom, rake, or shovel.
You are responsible for radio communication when the dryer is down.
Non-Essential Functions
These duties are secondary in nature and are not classified as ADA essential.
Perform other duties and functions as assigned by supervisor for production and cleaning purpose.
Working Environment: (1) Inside 90%, average temperature 80 degrees, extreme low temperature 10 degrees F, extreme high temperature 105 degrees F. (2) Outside 10%. Noise or vibration: Machine noise to include machine being operated as well as other machines close by including Forklifts. Hazards: See Job Hazard Analysis. (3) Atmospheric conditions: Dust: Limited, Mist: Water, Odors: Dry wood, Gasses: None, Poor Ventilation: None. The worker in this position will be standing on a wooden or metal surface with rubber mats on a slightly elevated platform. This platform measures approximately 4 feet wide and 14 feet long.
Personal Protective Equipment Required: (1) Eye Protection. (2) Hearing Protection. (3) Blue Atlas gloves when feeding re-dry veneer. (4) Approved Footwear.
Physical Demands: See the Physical Capabilities as listed below; this position requires constant use of hearing and vision, bilateral use of arms and hands, frequent bending, twisting, pushing/pulling and reaching, and occasional lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling more than 30 lbs.
Skills: Must successfully complete structured job training and testing to become a certified operator. Must have excellent hand eye coordination. Use vision/hearing continuously and must have peripheral vision to see the trays and co-workers. Reading and speech required to communicate comprehension of Job Hazard Analysis, machine specific lockout procedures, monthly safety training, etc. Worker generally works with another puller with little supervision. Operators must be self-directed in identifying and efficiently completing each task. Ability to prioritize, organize, and make necessary decisions.
Safety: (1) Do only maintenance you are trained to do and keep all body parts out of machinery. (2) Always use our 14-step lockout/tagout procedure before doing any maintenance, clearing jams, or getting into machinery for any reason; be aware of stored energy. (3) Always use proper body mechanics (ex: don’t overreach, get help as needed to push loads out). (4) Use proper PPE. (5) Maintain awareness and communicate with your co-worker at all times (ex: forklift driver). (6) Will be required to read and write during safety training.
Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law.
