Production Associate

The Opportunity

J.K. Adams is hiring Production Associates for its woodshop in Dorset, Vermont — hands-on roles in packaging and in wood sanding and finishing, where the quality of the work shows up in every board that leaves the building. These are craft-adjacent manufacturing jobs in a company that has been making cutting boards and kitchen accessories in the same Vermont town since 1944. No prior woodworking experience is required; we train on the job, and associates are cross-trained across work centers so there is real room to grow into more skilled production roles over time.

About John Boos & Co. and J.K. Adams

J.K. Adams Co., based in Dorset, Vermont since 1944, is a heritage American woodworking company specializing in cutting boards, serving boards, and kitchen accessories. John Boos & Co. has been crafting premium wood and stainless-steel kitchen equipment in Effingham, Illinois for nearly 140 years, serving foodservice, industrial, and consumer/retail markets. The two companies recently joined forces, creating a combined American-made woodworking and foodservice platform with shared scale, expanded resources, and deep wood-products manufacturing capability.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, the Production Associate works on the shop floor at J.K. Adams Dorset, Vermont facility supporting two core areas: wood sanding and finishing, and packaging and shipping preparation. On the sanding side, associates bring cutting boards, serving boards, and kitchen accessories to their final surface quality using wide-belt, drum, orbital, and hand-sanding methods. On the packaging side, associates inspect, label, pack, and palletize finished goods for wholesale, retail, and e-commerce orders. Associates are cross-trained across both areas and may be assigned where production demand is greatest.

Key Responsibilities

Wood Sanding & Finishing

• Sand cutting boards, serving boards, and kitchen accessories to the specified grit and surface finish using wide-belt, drum, orbital, and hand-sanding methods.
• Work through grit sequences in order; ease edges, break corners, and remove mill marks, glue lines, and surface defects without altering part dimensions.
• Inspect grain, color, and surface quality throughout the process; route pieces for rework or rejection according to quality standards.
• Change and tension sanding belts, discs, and pads; monitor abrasive wear and replace before finish quality degrades.
• Keep dust collection connected, running, and clear at each station.
• Apply oils or finishes to product as assigned, following product specifications and cure and handling requirements.

Packaging & Shipping Preparation

• Inspect finished goods against quality standards before packing; pull anything that does not meet standard.
• Apply branding, care cards, inserts, UPC/SKU labels, and customer-specific labeling accurately and in the correct position.
• Assemble cartons, pack product with the correct protective materials, and seal and label to specification.
• Pack to differing requirements across wholesale, retail, and e-commerce/direct-to-consumer orders, including retailer-specific packaging standards.
• Build, wrap, and label pallets; stage completed orders for shipping.
• Assemble kits, gift sets, and seasonal or promotional configurations as scheduled.
• Record counts accurately and report shortages, damage, or discrepancies to the supervisor.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Ability to work full-time, on-site at the Dorset, Vermont facility.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality — the line depends on a full crew.
• Ability to stand for a full shift and to perform repetitive hand, arm, and shoulder motion.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and to routinely carry, push, and pull materials and finished cartons.
• Willingness to work in a woodshop environment with dust, noise, and machinery, using required personal protective equipment.
• Basic counting, measuring, and the ability to read and follow work orders, labels, and packing instructions.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Preferred

• Prior experience in wood sanding, finishing, cabinetry, millwork, or another woodworking trade.
• Prior packaging, fulfillment, warehouse, or light-industrial manufacturing experience.
• Familiarity with hand and power sanding equipment and abrasive selection.
• Experience with handheld scanners, label printers, or basic production tracking systems.
• Forklift or pallet-jack experience (certification can be provided).
• High school diploma or equivalent — helpful, but not required. We train on the job.

Key Competencies

• Craftsmanship and attention to detail — notices the flaw before the customer does.
• Consistency and pace — produces steady quality output through a full shift.
• Safety mindset — follows procedure every time, and speaks up when something looks wrong.
• Team-oriented — supports teammates and communicates across handoffs.
• Adaptable — willing to cross-train and move between work centers as demand shifts.
• Dependable — shows up, on time, ready to work.

Benefits Overview – Full Time Employees Only

J.K. Adams offers a competitive benefits package to regular full-time employees. Highlights include:

• Health Insurance — a choice of group medical plans through BlueCross BlueShield, including HSA-eligible options, with a nationwide PPO network.
• Dental — voluntary dental coverage with diagnostic and preventive services covered at 100% in-network, with no deductible applied.
• Vision — voluntary vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents, including an annual eye exam and lenses or contacts, and frames every 24 months.
• Life & AD&D Insurance — basic term life and accidental death & dismemberment coverage funded in full by the company, with voluntary supplemental coverage available for you, your spouse, and your children.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan — with a Safe Harbor company match — dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% you contribute, plus 50% on the next 2%. Pre-tax and Roth options are available, and both full-time and part-time employees are eligible after six months of service.
• Paid Vacation — accrues immediately upon hire and is available as soon as it is accrued, with annual rollover allowed.
• Paid Time Off — personal time accrues immediately upon hire, separate from vacation, and is available as soon as it is accrued.
• Paid Holidays — eight observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• 529 College Savings Plan — an employer-sponsored CollegeAmerica 529 plan with access to a financial advisor, for your own education or a family member’s.

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $19