DATUM Job Description – Cutting Line Associate
Job Title: Cutting Line Associate
Location: Greenwood, SC
Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-exempt (Hourly)
Reports To: Production Manager
Dotted Line Coordination: Quality Specialist
About Datum
Datum is a next-generation manufacturer of precision building assemblies, created to address America’s housing shortage with speed, quality, and sustainability. In partnership with CertainTeed and its parent company Saint-Gobain — global leaders in light and sustainable construction — Datum deploys One Precision Assemblies (OPA), an advanced panelized construction system that reduces build times by up to 50%, improves energy performance, and ensures factory-level quality on every home.
Our mission is to expand the supply of affordable, high-performance housing by scaling regional factories that serve local builders and developers. Each Datum facility is designed to deliver substantial economic impact by creating high-quality manufacturing jobs, supporting local supply chains, and enabling builders to construct more homes with fewer delays. All homes produced through Datum’s OPA process are engineered to be electrification-ready, highly energy efficient, and resilient — helping communities meet today’s housing demand while preparing for a sustainable future.
Backed by a leadership team with deep experience in modular and panelized manufacturing, Datum is uniquely positioned to grow quickly and responsibly. We are committed to advancing housing innovation, empowering our employees, and building a culture that prioritizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Position Summary
The Cutting Line Associate is responsible for operating Datum’s automated cutting equipment to accurately process lumber and framing components in accordance with production work instructions, quality standards, and takt time requirements. This role performs station-based tasks including loading raw lumber, operating CNC cutting equipment, bundling cut components, and staging materials for downstream production lines. The Cutting Line Associate is expected to execute work safely, consistently, and on pace to support uninterrupted production flow.
Core Responsibilities
- Operate CNC cutting equipment (including the Hundegger 6-axis CNC saw) in accordance with established programs, work instructions, and safety procedures.
- Load raw lumber and framing materials onto cutting equipment safely and accurately, using proper lifting techniques and material-handling equipment.
- Execute cutting operations to meet defined takt time targets while maintaining required dimensional accuracy and quality standards.
- Monitor cutting operations during runtime and stop equipment in accordance with procedures if safety, quality, or operational issues arise.
- Bundle, label, and stage cut framing components in accordance with production requirements and downstream line needs.
- Perform basic machine setup, changeovers, and housekeeping tasks as defined in standard work (excluding programming or toolpath modification).
- Identify and escalate material defects, cutting inaccuracies, or equipment issues to the Production Manager promptly to prevent downstream impact.
- Execute cutting operations in accordance with quality standards and corrective actions communicated by the Quality Specialist.
- Support quality inspections and rework activities when directed, including segregation of non-conforming cut components.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe cutting station to support repeatable execution, quality output, and on-time production.
- Follow all safety, quality, and operational procedures, including proper use of PPE and adherence to machine safety requirements.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Prior experience as a sawyer, CNC machine operator, framing carpenter, or similar manufacturing or construction role preferred.
- Experience handling dimensional lumber and framing materials in a production or construction environment strongly preferred.
- Ability to safely operate industrial machinery and material-handling equipment after training.
- Ability to read and follow work instructions, cut lists, diagrams, and shop drawings.
- Mechanical aptitude and attention to detail when performing repetitive, precision-based tasks.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a production team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Based onsite at Datum’s Greenwood, SC manufacturing facility.
- Regular work in the cutting line area with automated machinery and material-handling equipment.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive motions throughout the workday.
- Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, or pull materials up to 75 lbs, with mechanical assistance as required.
- Frequent handling of long and heavy lumber components.
- Required use of PPE including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots.
- Exposure to noise, moving machinery, and seasonal temperature variations typical of a manufacturing environment.
Why Join Datum
- Be part of a company tackling the U.S. housing shortage through innovation and sustainability.
- Gain valuable experience in advanced factory operations and logistics.
- Competitive compensation (hourly pay and discretionary bonus).
- Reimbursement for eligible employee benefit expenses (health, dental, vision, or related).
- Growth opportunities within Datum as the company scales nationally.
Application Instructions
Applicants can inquire about the role by emailing Lizeth Tiscareno at [email protected]. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship available). Pre-employment background check and drug screening may be required.
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- On-the-job training
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
Work Location: In person
