Careers at Philadelphia Lumber Co.
We are a small team doing big work — rescuing lumber that would otherwise rot in a landfill and turning it into the building material for the next generation of homes, restaurants, and offices. If that sounds like your kind of work, keep reading.
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What It's Like to Work Here
Philadelphia Lumber Co. is not a corporate environment. There is no dress code, no cubicle, and no status meetings. There is a lumber yard, a sawmill, a fleet of trucks, and a team of people who care about doing good work with their hands. We rescue wood from demolition sites, process it in our shop on Townsend Road, and deliver it to builders, architects, and homeowners across the tri-state region.
Our crew is tight-knit. Everyone does a bit of everything — a sawmill operator might help load a delivery truck on a busy morning, and a driver might spend an afternoon sorting incoming salvage. We hire for work ethic, mechanical aptitude, and a genuine interest in what we do. If you care about craftsmanship, sustainability, or just getting a satisfying day's work done with good people, you will fit in here.
We are headquartered in Northeast Philadelphia, a working-class neighborhood where skilled trades are respected and the cost of living is still reasonable. Most of our team lives within 20 minutes of the yard. We are deeply rooted in the Philadelphia community and take pride in the fact that every board we process keeps a piece of this city's history alive.
Our Culture
What defines Philadelphia Lumber Co. as a place to work.
Small Team, Real Impact
We are a team of under 25. That means your work matters and you see its impact every day. There are no layers of middle management between you and the mission. When you mill a batch of heart pine, you might deliver it to the job site yourself and see it installed the following week.
Hands-On Work
Every role here involves physical, skilled work. Whether you are running a bandmill, driving a flatbed, grading boards in the yard, or pulling timbers from a demolition site, you go home at the end of the day knowing you built something tangible. If you are tired of sitting at a desk, this is the antidote.
Environmental Mission
This is not greenwashing. We are a zero-waste-certified operation that diverts thousands of tons of usable lumber from landfills every year. When you tell people what you do for a living, you can feel genuinely proud of the answer. The environmental impact is real, measurable, and growing with every project we take on.
Philadelphia Community
We hire from the neighborhoods around us — Kensington, Fishtown, Port Richmond, Mayfair, Tacony. We donate off-cuts to community woodworking programs, sponsor apprenticeships with local vocational schools, and partner with habitat restoration projects along the Delaware. Working here means being part of the fabric of Philadelphia.
What We Offer
We may not have a ping-pong table, but we offer something better — meaningful work with real benefits.
Competitive Pay
Wages above regional averages for skilled trades positions. Annual performance reviews with merit increases.
Flexible Scheduling
Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. We accommodate schedule adjustments when possible and respect work-life boundaries.
Skill Development
On-the-job training in wood species identification, industrial milling, equipment maintenance, and material grading. We invest in your growth.
Work With Your Hands
No cubicles, no fluorescent lights, no all-day Zoom calls. You will work with real material, real tools, and see the results of your labor every single day.
Environmental Impact
Every day you come to work, you are keeping usable wood out of landfills and reducing demand for new-growth timber. The impact is real and measurable.
Safety First
We provide all necessary PPE, maintain a rigorous safety program, and never ask anyone to cut corners. Your well-being is non-negotiable.
Open Positions
We are currently hiring for the following roles. All positions are based at our Townsend Road yard in Northeast Philadelphia.
Lumber Yard Associate
The backbone of our daily operation. Lumber yard associates handle incoming salvage loads, sort and grade reclaimed stock by species, condition, and dimension, stack and organize inventory in our yard, and assist walk-in customers with material selection. This is physical, outdoor work in a fast-paced environment. You will develop a deep working knowledge of wood species, grading standards, and material handling.
Key Requirements
- Ability to lift 75+ lbs repeatedly throughout the shift
- Comfort working outdoors in all seasons
- Basic math skills for calculating board footage
- Forklift experience preferred but we will train
- Reliable transportation to our Townsend Road yard
- No prior lumber experience required — we value attitude and work ethic over credentials
Sawmill Operator
Operate and maintain our industrial milling equipment including a horizontal resaw bandmill, a 20-inch planer, a shaper/moulder, and a metal detection system. Sawmill operators process rough reclaimed stock into finished dimensional lumber, flooring, paneling, and custom profiles to customer specifications. Precision, safety awareness, and mechanical aptitude are essential. This role has the most direct impact on the quality of our finished product.
Key Requirements
- Minimum 2 years experience operating industrial woodworking machinery
- Understanding of wood properties — grain direction, moisture behavior, species characteristics
- Ability to read and interpret shop drawings and cut lists
- Strong commitment to workplace safety and PPE compliance
- Mechanical aptitude for routine blade changes, bearing adjustments, and equipment maintenance
- Comfort working in a loud, dusty environment with appropriate hearing and respiratory protection
Delivery Driver
Deliver lumber and building materials to job sites, residences, and commercial properties throughout the Philadelphia tri-state region. Our drivers operate flatbed trucks, a 26-foot box truck, and a stake body. You will load and secure material at our yard, plan efficient routes for multi-stop deliveries, interact professionally with contractors and homeowners on-site, and ensure material arrives undamaged. Our drivers are the face of the company at every delivery.
Key Requirements
- Valid CDL Class B preferred; Class C with clean record considered
- Minimum 2 years commercial driving experience
- Ability to operate a truck-mounted forklift or willingness to be trained
- Physical ability to handle heavy lumber and assist with off-loading
- Knowledge of the Philadelphia metro area, surrounding suburbs, and major highways
- Professional demeanor and strong communication skills — you represent us on every delivery
Salvage Crew Lead
Lead a 3-to-5-person deconstruction crew on demolition and salvage sites across the region. The salvage crew lead is responsible for site assessment, developing a material extraction plan, coordinating with general contractors and property owners, supervising crew safety and productivity, and ensuring maximum recovery of usable lumber. This is a leadership role that combines physical skill, wood identification expertise, and project management.
Key Requirements
- Minimum 3 years experience in construction, demolition, or deconstruction
- Proven ability to lead and motivate a small field crew
- Strong wood species identification skills — you need to spot valuable material quickly
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification (or willingness to obtain within 90 days)
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to job sites within a 100-mile radius
- Experience with hand and power tools commonly used in selective demolition (pry bars, reciprocating saws, chainsaws)
How to Apply
Send your resume and a brief note telling us which position interests you and why to:
careers@philadelphia-lumber.comWe review every application personally — no automated screening, no keyword filters. If your background is a fit, we will invite you to visit the yard, meet the team, and see the operation firsthand before any formal interview.
Don't see a role that matches your skills? Send your resume anyway. We are growing steadily and may have something for you in the near future. We keep all applications on file for six months.
Philadelphia Lumber Co. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
Not Looking for a Job?
If you are here for lumber instead of employment, we can help with that too. Browse our products or request a quote for your next project.
What Our Team Says
Hear directly from the people who make Philadelphia Lumber Co. run every day.
“I came here from a desk job in logistics and never looked back. There is something deeply satisfying about taking a nail-studded beam from a demolished factory and turning it into beautiful flooring. You can see and touch the results of your work every single day. That never gets old.”
Tom Kowalski
Sawmill Operator, 4 years
“The thing I appreciate most is how much they invest in training. When I started, I could not tell oak from pine. Now I can identify 20 species by grain pattern alone. The guys here are patient teachers, and they actually want you to get better. Nobody hoards knowledge.”
Maria Santos
Lumber Yard Associate, 2 years
“I have driven trucks for three different companies, and this is the first place where I feel like more than just a driver. They include me in planning meetings, ask for my input on delivery logistics, and trust me to represent the company at job sites. The customers know me by name.”
Ray Jackson
Delivery Driver, 5 years
“Leading the salvage crew is the most interesting job I have ever had. Every structure is different — different species, different construction methods, different challenges. Last month I pulled 200-year-old hand-hewn chestnut beams from a barn in Lancaster County. You cannot get that experience anywhere else.”
Carlos Mendez
Salvage Crew Lead, 6 years
Our Training & Apprenticeship Program
We believe that skills are built, not born. Every new hire enters a structured onboarding program that combines hands-on mentorship with progressive skill development. The program is designed so that even someone with zero lumber industry experience can become a competent, confident member of the team within 90 days.
Weeks 1-2: Orientation & Safety. New hires spend their first two weeks learning safety protocols, PPE requirements, and basic yard operations. You will shadow experienced team members across all departments — salvage, milling, grading, and delivery — to understand how the full operation works. OSHA-10 certification is completed during this period (paid training time).
Weeks 3-6: Core Skills Development. Based on your role, you begin focused training on your primary responsibilities. Yard associates learn species identification, board foot calculation, forklift operation, and customer interaction. Sawmill operators work alongside experienced machinists learning equipment setup, blade changes, and feed-rate management. Drivers complete route familiarization and loading certification.
Weeks 7-12: Supervised Independent Work. You begin handling your core responsibilities independently with a mentor available for questions and guidance. Performance is reviewed weekly during this period, with constructive feedback and additional training provided as needed. By the end of week 12, most new hires are fully productive in their primary role.
Ongoing: Cross-Training & Advancement. After the initial 90-day period, cross-training opportunities are available and encouraged. A yard associate interested in milling can begin learning machine operation. A driver interested in sales can start accompanying the sales team on customer visits. We promote from within whenever possible — several of our current senior team members started in entry-level yard positions.
Growth & Advancement Opportunities
We are a growing company, and growth means opportunity. Here is what career advancement looks like at Philadelphia Lumber Co.
Skill Certification Support
We pay for job-relevant certifications including OSHA 10 and 30, forklift operator certification, CDL training and testing, LEED Green Associate exam fees, and first aid/CPR certification. Training time is paid at your regular rate. These certifications add to your professional credentials and are yours to keep regardless of future employment.
Internal Promotion Track
We have a documented internal promotion pathway for every role. Yard associates can advance to lead yard associate, then to grading specialist or inventory manager. Sawmill operators can advance to lead operator, then to milling supervisor. Drivers can advance to logistics coordinator. Every promotion comes with a pay increase and expanded responsibilities.
Cross-Department Mobility
Interested in a different area of the business? We actively encourage cross-training and lateral moves. A delivery driver who shows aptitude for customer interaction can transition into sales. A yard associate fascinated by the milling equipment can apprentice under our sawmill operators. Curiosity and initiative are rewarded here.
Leadership Development
As we grow (we plan to nearly double our processing capacity by 2027), we will need additional supervisors, coordinators, and managers. These positions will be filled preferentially from our existing team. Current team leaders participate in monthly management meetings and receive mentorship from the founders on project management, budgeting, and people leadership.
Industry Knowledge Building
Working here makes you genuinely knowledgeable about wood — species identification, grading, milling, sustainability, and construction applications. This expertise is valuable across the construction, architecture, and woodworking industries. Many former team members have gone on to start their own woodworking businesses, join architectural firms as material consultants, or advance in the broader construction industry.
Annual Performance Reviews
Every team member receives a formal annual performance review with their supervisor. Reviews cover skill development, goal setting, compensation adjustments, and career planning. Merit-based raises are awarded annually based on performance, reliability, and skill growth. We share transparently what it takes to reach the next level in your role.
Full Benefits & Perks Package
We may be a small company, but we offer a benefits package that reflects our commitment to taking care of the people who take care of the business. Here is the complete picture.
Health insurance: We offer group health insurance through Independence Blue Cross for all full-time employees (30+ hours/week). The company covers 70% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent coverage. Dental and vision plans are available as optional add-ons. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment.
Paid time off:Full-time employees receive 10 paid vacation days per year (accrued monthly), increasing to 15 days after 3 years and 20 days after 5 years. In addition, we observe 7 paid federal holidays and provide 5 paid sick days per year. We close the week between Christmas and New Year's Day with full pay for all employees.
Retirement savings: We offer a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% employer match. Enrollment is available after 6 months of employment. The employer match is immediate — there is no vesting period. We bring in a financial advisor once per year for a voluntary one-on-one session with any interested employee.
Employee lumber discount: All employees receive a 25% discount on any lumber purchase for personal use. This is one of the most-used perks — several team members have used it to remodel their own homes with reclaimed wood from our inventory. The discount applies to material cost only; processing is at standard rates.
Tool and boot allowance: We provide all necessary PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, dust masks). In addition, employees receive a $200 annual boot allowance for safety footwear and a $150 annual tool allowance for personal hand tools used on the job. Receipts are reimbursed via your regular paycheck.
Summer hours: During June, July, and August, we shift to summer hours: Monday through Thursday 6 AM to 4:30 PM, with Fridays off. This four-day summer schedule is one of the most popular benefits we offer and helps the team recharge during the busiest season.