Job Title: Kiln & Furnace Operator
Location: Ire Wel Pallets, Wells, Gorey, Co. Wexford
Reports To: Production Supervisor / Plant Manager
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Summary:
Responsible for operating and maintaining kilns and furnaces used in the drying and treatment of wooden pallets. This includes unloading and reloading pallets into kilns, ensuring proper furnace operation, monitoring temperatures, and maintaining technical standards for timber treatment. Experience of kiln drying processes, safety procedures, and basic mechanical troubleshooting would be favourable but a keen interest in learning to a high level of expertise is a must. Training will be provided.
Key Responsibilities:
* Unload dried pallets from kilns and reload new pallets for treatment/drying.
* Operate and monitor furnace systems to ensure correct treatment conditions (e.g., HT - heat-treated standard) on a daily basis.
* Maintain and log correct kiln/furnace temperatures, cycle times, and humidity settings.
* Perform routine checks and basic maintenance on kiln/furnace equipment.
* Identify and report faults, temperature fluctuations, or mechanical issues.
* Work closely with production teams to ensure efficient material flow.
* Ensure all work is performed in accordance with safety and quality standards.
* Follow all HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) protocols and wear appropriate PPE.
* To lead and participate in planned maintenance shutdown for comprehensive maintenance, repairs, upgrades or modifications.
* To lead and participate in in trouble shooting / problem solving / continuous improvement / efficiency improvement of boiler and kilns
* To maintain a parts log and stock of all critical parts required.
* To work with ISO and other standards held by the company to product reports and feedback for regular standards audit held on site and for visiting customers
Skills & Experience:
* Experience in a pallet manufacturing, timber processing, or kiln drying environment preferred. Alternatively a good understanding of process control systems and procedures of a similar automated nature is acceptable with a commitment to learn.
* Technical understanding of kiln/furnace operations.
* Ability to interpret temperature logs, gauges, and treatment specifications.
* Basic mechanical or maintenance skills a plus.
* Forklift license
* Good understanding of computers/software
* Reliable, punctual, and safety-conscious.
Qualifications:
* No formal qualifications required, but technical/vocational training in manufacturing, electrical or mechanical operations is an advantage.
* Health & Safety training (manual handling, fire safety, etc.) preferred.
Apply with your CV to
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: €15.00-€20.00 per hour
Expected hours: 41.5 per week
Benefits:
* Bike to work scheme
* Employee discount
* Free or subsidised travel
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Work authorisation:
* Ireland (preferred)
Work Location: In person