Overview

Our Core Values

ELEVATE EVERYTHING – We each bring a specific set of skills to the table, offering up our expertise and resources to enhance the work of others. We challenge each other to be the best in order to achieve enduring value in the eyes of our customers.

BETTER IS BETTER – There is no finish line; we strive for continuous improvement in everything we do. We obsess over every detail to find ways to improve both our products and our process.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY ACCOUNTABLE – We’re open and honest in how we speak and listen. We celebrate each other’s successes, and collectively rally to solve every challenge. We own it!

COURAGEOUS INNOVATION – There are elegant ideas awaiting discovery in everything we do. We push everyone around us to pursue those ideas openly so we can continue to dominate the category.

COMMUNITY DRIVEN - As a family business, we understand the importance of enriching the communities we call home. As a company, and as individuals, we work to make our expertise available to do the most good for those around us. 

Sharpener I

We are currently recruiting for a Sharpener I to join the Benchmade Knife Company team. The Sharpener is responsible for setting up and operating belt, wheel, and buff sharpeners to sharpen knives to a razor sharp edge. This role will sharpen new knives as well as knives returned for warranty repair. This position will be responsible for selecting the appropriate fixtures, belts, and equipment based on documented instructions and knowledge of blade types.

The Sharpener will be required to keep an eye on worn abrasive wheels and belts, and replace them as needed. The role will also inspect knife cutting edge visually and through paper cutting tests, uses tools to ensure proper blade angle, using subjective judgment to ensure edge cosmetics and sharpness. This role may also assist with assembly, cleaning, and boxing of knives as required.

Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

• Hand sharpen knife blades using belt and buff sharpeners. Manually control edge contour.
• Moderate to intense levels of concentration both physically and mentally while performing Sharpening
• Determine if a component is scrap and communicate to lead to report defect.
• Inspect sharpened blade for edge contour, ability to cut, and lack of burrs on blade edge.
• Set up fixturing as required on buff sharpener.
• Keeps work area organized according to Lean 6S standards.
• Check and replace abrasive sharpening belts as required to ensure product quality.
• Check and replace compound brick when too small to hold safely to the buffer wheel.
• Participate in improvement activities and teams, including members within the entire organization.
• Consistently meet target production rate and quality requirements.
• Complete required documentation such as tracking quantity completed.
• Assist new sharpeners in all methods of sharpening.
• Assist in Assembly area as requested to assemble parts or knives, clean knives, and package completed knives.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• A High School Diploma or GED equivalent, and 1-2 years of experience in knife blade sharpening or a production environment is required. Equivalency to the qualification standard will also be considered.
• Understanding of how to sharpen all types of knives, as well as sharpen all different blade types, especially hand sharpening with a belt grinder.
• Understand and follow written/oral instructions.
• Excellent manual dexterity.
• Good attention to detail.
• Good attendance and punctuality.
• Able to work in a flow line and meet paced production rates.
• Able to exercise good judgment in performing subjective inspections such as cosmetic criteria and determining knife sharpness and contour uniformity.
• Strong attention to utilizing safe practices.
• Team player, with a positive and helpful attitude
• Previous sharpening experience using belt, wheel, or buff sharpeners a definite plus.
• Knowledge of Lean Methodology a definite plus.

Benchmade offer our employees a wide variety of comprehensive rewards and benefits including:

• Competitive pay
• Cash profit sharing and performance incentives
• Medical including Prescriptions and Vision
• Dental including Orthodontia
• Short-Term and Long-term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• 401K with company match
• Fitness Center Reimbursement
• Pay for time off, including holiday, bonus holidays, vacation, sick, bereavement and jury duty
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Outstanding employee discounts on Benchmade products and other partner companies
• Tuition reimbursement
• Targeted development planning and learning opportunities
• Employee and family events throughout the year
• Most importantly, Benchmade provides a fun, family oriented and entrepreneurial work environment

This is an exciting time to be part of a company on the verge of even greater success. If you think you have what it takes to be part of a company that strives to create a working environment that stimulates team spirit, passion, engagement, and achievement, complete an application today. Please include a resume with your online application.

Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Benchmade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@benchmade.com or 1-800-800-7427.