Sawmill Technician / Trainee Forester job at Tranent Full Time

About the role

Winton Estate, around 30 minutes from Edinburgh, has over 800 acres of mixed woodland and a new sawmill. We are building a small team that can add value to our timber from woodland management through to sawn products.

The Sawmill Technician / Trainee Forester will be practical, curious, keen and creative; someone who enjoys hands-on work and problem-solving. You do not need prior sawmilling experience; we will provide training. If you are confident around machinery and can maintain or troubleshoot equipment, you will be a great fit.

We believe our timber can be used in construction and other high-quality applications adding strength, function and lasting beauty with a story of sustainable, regenerative Scottish forestry behind it.

You will join a supportive, integrated estate team spanning farming and hospitality, gardens and grounds, in a beautiful historic setting. As you grow into the role, you will be supported by experienced colleagues and consultancy back-up.

What we’re looking for

• A genuine interest in timber and making something from a raw material.
• Good attention to detail and a mindset of continuous improvement.
• A practical, engineering-leaning approach: you enjoy running, maintaining and improving machinery.
• Willingness to learn sawmilling with training and encouragement.
• Adaptability: based at the sawmill, with enthusiasm to train for work in the woods when needed.
• A hands-on, problem-solving approach with a focus on efficiency, quality and safe working.
• Ability to multitask and work in a physically demanding environment.

Key responsibilities

• Keep mill production running smoothly, efficiently and safely.
• Handle stock and timber safely around the yard.
• Produce a range of timber products from higher-grade sawn timber through to firewood and other by-products.
• Deliver logs and liaise with customers as required.

Qualifications & skills

• Comfortable with machinery (sawmilling experience helpful but not essential training available).
• Engineering and/or forestry background preferred.

Why join Winton Estate?

• The chance to help build a forestry team that can take a tree from sapling through to high-quality sawn timber.
• Work as part of a happy, loyal and multi-skilled estate community (forestry, farming, gardens & grounds, hospitality, finance and HR).
• Line management and support from the Forestry & Sawmill Manager.
• Opportunity for estate accommodation if necessary (with notice & salary variation)
• Immediate start available
• Holiday entitlement: 28 days per year (rising to 30 after five years).

Pay: £27,500.00-£30,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person