Description
Company Overview
Westwind Wood Specialties, Inc. has established a reputation for delivering exceptional craftsmanship and CNC precision in custom wood components. With over 25 years of experience, we serve the Colorado Front Range, providing high-quality cabinet fronts, drawer boxes, moldings, and more. Our commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction drives everything we do.
We are actively seeking a skilled and experience Molder and Tooling Specialist to perform manufacturing operations. In this role, you will perform the setup, operation, and maintenance of our molding machinery in the execution of production activities.
POSITION PURPOSE
Independently the Molder & Tooling Specialist is responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of our molding machinery in the execution of production activities. Incumbent is also responsible for various activities including but not limited to tooling and profile grinding, preventative maintenance, performance monitoring, and safety protocols.
SUCCESS MEASURES
Success in this role is demonstrated by the ability to:
Achieve maximum operational efficiency in a safe and effective manner.
Identify issues or challenges and present recommendations to maintain and enhance the machinery.
Achieve established productivity and quality goals.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Responsible for setup and calibration of our Molder machines accurately and efficiently.
Spindle & Fence Alignment: Install, align, and adjust cutterheads, feed rollers, chip breakers, and pressure shoes according to exact dimensions.
Responsible for monitoring machine feed speeds, raw wood behavior, and surface finish to prevent tear-out, burn marks, or dimensional inaccuracies during production.
Ensure quality controls are effective by continuously measuring and inspecting output using dial calipers, gauges, and template matchings against approved profile specifications.
Perform precision-grind high-speed steel (HSS) and carbide-tipped molding knives from plastic templates using Weinig Rondamat (or similar) profile grinders.
Inspect, sharpen, balance, and maintain cutterheads and knife steel to ensure optimal cut quality and long tooling life.
Responsible for utilizing optical measuring systems (e.g., Weinig OptiControl) to record exact tool radius and axial dimensions for fast, high-accuracy machine changeovers.
Execute Preventative Maintenance: Clean, oil, and perform routine mechanical troubleshooting on molders and grinders to minimize machine downtime.
Strictly follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and ensure dust extraction systems run effectively.
ADDITIONAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Executes all duties and responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner adhering to confidentiality obligations, safety expectations, and compliance requirements.
Carries out duties in compliance with all federal and state regulations and guidelines.
Successfully completes assigned regulatory and job training requirements.
Complies with all company and site policies and procedures.
Remains current in profession and industry trends.
Demonstrates a passion and commitment to continuous improvement through the development and presentation of change recommendations starting with a business case and following through to implementation.
Is available for other duties as required.
Is available for overtime as needed.
PEOPLE LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
None
QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
High School Diploma or GED.
Three (3) years of hands-on experience setting up and running Weinig molders and operating profile grinders.
Three (3) years of professional experience working in a production or manufacturing environment.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
Internal Communication - Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual records, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.
External Communication - Communicates with clients in an effective and consistent manner. Provides timely information to clients in response to inquiries and performs appropriate follow up in a timely manner. Share external communications with internal staff to ensure continuity of information and services.
Dependability - Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, meets attendance/punctuality requirements, and escalates issues to supervisor or management in accordance with policies and procedures.
Job Knowledge - Understands duties and responsibilities, has necessary job knowledge, has necessary technical skills, understands company mission/values, keeps job knowledge current, is in command of critical issues.
Productivity - Manages a fair workload, volunteers for additional work, prioritizes tasks, develops good work procedures, manages time well, and handles information flow.
Quality - Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds root cause of quality problems, owns/acts on quality problems.
Engagement and Collaboration - Creates an environment of engagement in which multiple perspectives, diverse backgrounds, varied skill sets and creative insights drive superior results.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and standard operating procedure manuals.
Read and interpret architectural scale drawings, profile CAD designs, and work orders to set up Weinig molders (e.g., Powermat 1000 or Powermat 1200) for production runs.
Write, articulate, and disseminate documents and information effectively using succinct and concise language easy to understand and apply.
Communicate clearly in writing and in oral interactions directly and using technology mediums including but not limited to phone, email, text, and video.
Demonstrates professionalism through active listening, respectful communication, problem solving, and timely follow-up with internal and external stakeholders.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Mechanical Aptitude: Strong understanding of wood movement, grain direction, cutting geometry, and feed rates across diverse hardwood and softwood species.
Ability to read shop drawings, CAD profile templates, and fractional/decimal dimensions.
Precision Tools: Proficient in using digital/dial calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and profile templates.
SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY
Demonstrated proficiency with:
Microsoft Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Google Workspace including Sheets, Docs, and Gmail.
Weinig or similar memory software and machine operating systems.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Apply concepts of basic arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical solutions.
OTHER SKILLS, ABILITIES OR QUALIFICATIONS
Familiarity with operating surrounding millwork equipment such as ripsaws, panel saws, resaws, or rough planers.
Familiarity with Weinig memory software systems (e.g., PowerCom).
Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining speed of work and attention to detail without loss to production.
Ability to work with others in a team environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Standing – Frequently required to stand throughout the workday.
Walking – Frequently required to walk around the office / facility throughout the workday.
Lifting – Frequently lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Occasionally lift and or move up to 75 pounds.
Climbing – This position does not require climbing.
Balancing – This position requires the incumbent to be able to balance constantly when performing the duties of this role.
Reaching – Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
Stooping – Occasionally required to stoop when executing the duties of this role.
Dexterity – Frequently required to use dexterity when executing the duties of this role.
Vision – Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Hearing – This position requires the constant ability to hear.
Driving – Occasionally required to operate company or personal vehicle.
Never = 0% | Occasionally = up to 33% | Frequently = 34% - 66% | Constantly = 67% to 100%
WORK ENVIRONMENT / TRAVEL
The duties and responsibilities of this position are performed in a warehouse / inside / with exposure to noise and moving machinery.
Travel – this position does not require any travel.
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
