Taking charge of his career: Samuel Pelletier

You could say that joining the J.D. Irving, Limited Sawmills division has given Samuel Pelletier the opportunity to take charge of his career. Working in electrical over the years, the Process Improvement Specialist at the Saint Leonard sawmill has found a rewarding role that blends his skillsets.

Originally from Lac-Baker, N.B., Samuel was inspired to pursue this career pathway because his father was an electrician. He studied electrical engineering at Universite de Moncton and has now been working in the field for eight years.

“The subject always intrigued me. I liked math and science in high school and was always interested in technology, so electrical engineering seemed like a good option for me,” Samuel said.

After earning his MBA, Samuel joined J.D. Irving, Limited in electrical project engineering at Irving Tissue in Dieppe. Two years later, he joined Grand-River Sawmill as an electrical superintendent, discovering with it a role that allowed him to develop his leadership skills alongside his technical ones. It’s a combination that Samuel says is perfect for him and, since October, one he’s been able to continue through his current role as a Process Improvement Specialist and Technical Support.

In his current position, Samuel is the sawmill’s electrical superintendent and is responsible for sawing optimization processes. He’s played a role in new equipment installation, equipment upgrades and yearly electrical shutdowns. In a typical day, Samuel supervises a team of electrical technicians and electrical contractors, working with the lead technician to plan electrical maintenance activities. 

“Every day is different,” he says, adding that this brings with it fresh challenges which he enjoys taking on.

“I find it rewarding to contribute to the success of a mill whether it’s short-term when troubleshooting to solve issues or long-term when working on projects and initiatives that will bring improvements,” he continued. “There is always an opportunity to learn new things, which is an aspect I enjoy as well.”