Clelands Timber Products
- Posted: 16 May 2025
- Location: New Plymouth
- Work Type: Full Time
- Classification: Manufacturing & operations
THE ROLE: We’re looking for a reliable and skilled Finger Joint Operator to join our production team. This role involves operating a finger jointer to produce high-quality, structurally sound timber products by joining shorter lengths of wood into longer, usable lengths.
You’ll work closely with other machine operators, quality control staff, and the Machine Shop Supervisor to meet daily production targets, maintain high safety standards, and ensure consistent product quality.
Key Responsibilities:
Operate and monitor the finger jointing line, including feeding timber, overseeing glue application, and ensuring correct joint alignment.
Carry out machine set-ups, changeovers and adjustments to suit different product runs and timber sizes.
Perform quality checks during production to ensure joints meet strength, dimension, and visual standards.
Identify and report faults or defects, taking early action to prevent waste or downtime.
Follow all Health & Safety protocols, including correct PPE use, guarding checks, and safe manual handling.
Keep the work area clean, tidy and free of hazards, contributing to a safe and efficient work environment.
Complete basic production records and checklists as required.
All applicants must pass drug screening, Ministry of Justice checks, and relevant competency testing prior to starting.
Role Requirements:
This role suits someone with experience in timber processing who takes pride in producing strong, accurate joints and works well in a team environment. A good eye for detail and a safety-first attitude are essential.
Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Experience operating finger jointing equipment.
Good mechanical aptitude, with the ability to troubleshoot minor issues and know when to escalate.
Strong focus on health and safety.
Able to follow production instructions and complete documentation accurately.
Physically fit, with the stamina for repetitive, hands-on tasks.
A forklift licence is an advantage, but not essential.
You’ll also have a positive can-do attitude, with the ability to undertake work in a safe and efficient way to ensure our health and safety, quality standards and production requirements are met. This is a busy role within a small team so to be successful you will need to thrive on a challenge, be a great multi-tasker and able to lead a team to great heights.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? We provide extensive ongoing training and development opportunities for our employees and prefer to promote from within when we can. As a result, we have many long-term employees who have successfully risen through the ranks, with 20 of our 50-team recognised for long service over 10 years being testament that our staff are valued and looked after.
Clelands Timber Products is privately owned New Plymouth based company with its roots dating back over 100 years. We manufacture and distribute a range of engineered timber profiles and products for both domestic and export markets – using some of the most modern German engineered machinery and technology at our site on Katere Road.
If you want to be supported in developing your career and rewarded for what you do, then make the move to Clelands Timber Products!
Employer questions
Your application will include the following questions:
Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of OH&S/WHS?
You’ll work closely with other machine operators, quality control staff, and the Machine Shop Supervisor to meet daily production targets, maintain high safety standards, and ensure consistent product quality.
Key Responsibilities:
Operate and monitor the finger jointing line, including feeding timber, overseeing glue application, and ensuring correct joint alignment.
Carry out machine set-ups, changeovers and adjustments to suit different product runs and timber sizes.
Perform quality checks during production to ensure joints meet strength, dimension, and visual standards.
Identify and report faults or defects, taking early action to prevent waste or downtime.
Follow all Health & Safety protocols, including correct PPE use, guarding checks, and safe manual handling.
Keep the work area clean, tidy and free of hazards, contributing to a safe and efficient work environment.
Complete basic production records and checklists as required.
All applicants must pass drug screening, Ministry of Justice checks, and relevant competency testing prior to starting.
Role Requirements:
This role suits someone with experience in timber processing who takes pride in producing strong, accurate joints and works well in a team environment. A good eye for detail and a safety-first attitude are essential.
Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Experience operating finger jointing equipment.
Good mechanical aptitude, with the ability to troubleshoot minor issues and know when to escalate.
Strong focus on health and safety.
Able to follow production instructions and complete documentation accurately.
Physically fit, with the stamina for repetitive, hands-on tasks.
A forklift licence is an advantage, but not essential.
You’ll also have a positive can-do attitude, with the ability to undertake work in a safe and efficient way to ensure our health and safety, quality standards and production requirements are met. This is a busy role within a small team so to be successful you will need to thrive on a challenge, be a great multi-tasker and able to lead a team to great heights.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? We provide extensive ongoing training and development opportunities for our employees and prefer to promote from within when we can. As a result, we have many long-term employees who have successfully risen through the ranks, with 20 of our 50-team recognised for long service over 10 years being testament that our staff are valued and looked after.
Clelands Timber Products is privately owned New Plymouth based company with its roots dating back over 100 years. We manufacture and distribute a range of engineered timber profiles and products for both domestic and export markets – using some of the most modern German engineered machinery and technology at our site on Katere Road.
If you want to be supported in developing your career and rewarded for what you do, then make the move to Clelands Timber Products!
Employer questions
Your application will include the following questions:
Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of OH&S/WHS?