OUR COMPANY:

At Kalesnikoff, we honor our heritage by investing in our future. As a family-owned, fourth-generation company, we’ve evolved from our roots in the forests to become a leader in the timber industry, but we’re not just resting on tradition. Today, Kalesnikoff is at the forefront of innovation, combining decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology to redefine what’s possible in wood design and construction.

ROLE AND OBJECTIVES:

The Continuous Improvement Specialist, under the direction of the Senior Director, Business Integration, is responsible for continuous improvement of KLC’s performance and systems. They will manage the lumber recovery, grade recovery, and value extraction performance of the site, and lead the day-to-day optimization, simulation, and manufacturing analysis work that supports it. This position provides coaching and feedback to the Sawmill and Planer Team Leaders supported by data and analysis and acts as the primary analytical resource to the Senior Director on production performance, run strategy, and project fiber requirements.

The role also provides support to the KMT QA team on scanning and optimization. The role carries a high degree of autonomy and is expected to move improvement work forward independently within agreed priorities and decision authority.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Understand and comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Manage product qualifications and new certification opportunities. Act as the primary liaison with KLC external lumber auditing and certification agencies.
- Act as MSR Supervisor at KLC, overseeing the MSR program, machine settings and calibration, related testing and record keeping, and MSR certification requirements.
- Spearhead recovery, grade, and value improvement opportunities across the site, reducing above-grade and trim loss. Use manufacturing analysis to evaluate KLC operational performance, identify bottlenecks, and provide actionable recommendations on workflow efficiency and resource allocation to the Senior Director, Business Integration.
- Manage and maintain the Sawmill and Planer optimization systems, monitoring the Sawmill, Planer, and KMT optimizers daily to identify deficiencies and provide solutions for remediation.
- Review optimization and product setup prior to each run to ensure accuracy.
- Run optimizer simulations to test product setups, solution files, and cutting strategies before committing to a run. Quantify the expected recovery and value impact of proposed changes and use the results to support setup decisions and improvement recommendations.
- Provide support to the KMT QA team on scanning and optimization systems. Share findings and work with them to develop solutions that reduce trim loss and improve throughput through KMT operations, in a supporting capacity.
- Liaise with the operational Team Leads, maintenance, and QC Techs to ensure efficient planer and sawmill run changeovers.




- Improve monitoring systems for log quality in the sawmill and provide feedback to Woodlands when necessary.
- Monitor chip quality and seek opportunities to maximize returns.
- Support with troubleshooting activities that impact product quality, recovery, and/or compliance.
- Work with KLC operations to execute run strategy, ensuring sawmill and planer runs achieve maximum returns while meeting customer requirements.
- Track lumber requirements for KMT and K3 projects on an ongoing basis, maintaining current analysis of the order files to identify grade and species requirements and flag emerging gaps or surpluses to the Senior Director, Business Integration. Work directly with project managers and designers to understand specific project requirements and timelines.
- Active lead in all SR&ED; projects for data collection and submission and prepare data and analysis in support of grant funding proposals.
- Act as the primary day-to-day point of contact for KLC continuous improvement and optimization matters, escalating decisions that fall outside agreed authority.
- Support the Senior Leadership team with special projects.
- Other duties as requested or required.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Minimum 3 years of quality control/assurance experience, with preference given to those in a lumber manufacturing facility.
- Minimum 3 years of experience in the lumber industry
- Minimum 3 years of project management experience
- Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment, including measuring and reporting results.
- Strong data analysis skills, including the ability to build and maintain reporting from production and optimization data. Experience with Power BI or a similar tool is an asset.
- Strong computer skills, with a high level of proficiency in MS Office, particularly with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Grading ticket, level "B" or higher, an asset
- Strong optimization skills
- Knowledge of NLGA classifications and standards, an asset
- Proven ability to work independently, set priorities, and carry initiatives to completion with limited day-to-day direction.
- Valid driver’s license (travel between sites)

WORK CONDITIONS:

- Location: 2090 Highway 3A Thrums, BC and 3050 South Slocan Station Road, South Slocan, BC

At Kalesnikoff, working safely is an expectation. In your role you will have the time and resources needed to meet that expectation.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

- Salary: $71,520 - $89,400 / year (depending on experience)
- Schedule: Monday - Friday
- Extended health benefits including health, dental, vision, travel, Health Spending Account and RRSP program.
- Team building and social events.
- Training, development, and mentorship opportunities




- Opportunity to advance in your career.
- Work-life balance.
- A great culture where we truly value our employees.

HOW TO APPLY: To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Our recruitment team reviews all applications carefully. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

ABOUT OUR KOOTENAY HOME:

Are the mountains calling you? From beautiful parks and forests, pristine lakes, breathtaking valleys and stunning mountain ranges, the West Kootenay region is a highly desired and special place to call home. With an abundance of recreation including ski areas, golf courses, hot springs, and endless hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities, the Kootenays isn’t just a region, it’s a lifestyle.

Our vibrant mountain towns are full of arts, culture, food, history, and caring communities. What are you doing after work today?

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT:

Kalesnikoff is a committed equal opportunity employer. Our recruitment strategy is designed to attract the best person for each position, to ensure equal chance for all applicants, and to promote our corporate vision and culture. When considering applicants, only job-related criteria such as ability, merit and responsibility are used to evaluate applicants. Kalesnikoff prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law.

Kalesnikoff is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. Kalesnikoff believes in integration and equal opportunity. Kalesnikoff is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by identifying barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility standards in accordance with applicable law.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $71,520.00-$89,400.00 per year

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Store discount
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Ability to commute/relocate:
- South Slocan, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):
- Do you have experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment, including measuring and reporting results?
- Do you have strong computer skills, with a high level of proficiency in MS Office, particularly with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint?
- Do you have strong data analysis skills, including the ability to build and maintain reporting from production and optimization data?

Experience:
- lumber industry: 3 years (required)
- quality control/assurance: 3 years (required)
- project management: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Continuous Improvement Specialist (South Slocan)
🏢 Kalesnikoff
📍 South Slocan