Finishing Manager

APPARATUS$80K — $96K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5 years in a relevant manufacturing position; 2+ years in a supervisory role.
  • Familiarity with materials including metal, glass, porcelain, and leather; experience preferred in lighting or furniture sectors.
  • Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain a skilled workforce.
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Industrial Design or Engineering preferred) and proficiency in project workflow and ERP software.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the finishing team's daily operations to meet production timelines and manage work orders effectively.
  • Take ownership of production quality and utilize metrics to inform decision-making.
  • Proactively communicate risks and solutions to minimize production impacts.
  • Ensure thorough understanding of aesthetic and functional standards for all products.
  • Conduct quality inspections and lead investigations to resolve issues.

Benefits

  • Full-time schedule with Monday to Friday hours and potential for extended hours or weekend work.
  • Regular performance check-ins and an annual review process to encourage professional growth.
  • Opportunity to work at the APPARATUS PRODUCTION facility in Red Hook.
Full Job Description
FINISHING MANAGER

This role oversees day-to-day finishing operations, ensuring exceptional production quality, team performance, and seamless workflow execution. The Finishing Manager drives continuous improvement across people, process, and product while upholding APPARATUS standards of craft and excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Operations and Quality
  • Oversee finishing team operations to meet production and launch commitments; schedule and manage work orders with real-time system updates.
  • Own department production and quality performance; analyze, act on, and report key metrics.
  • Communicate risk, priorities, and solutions in time to mitigate impact.
  • Maintain expert-level aesthetic and functional understanding of all active collections, components, and quality parameters.
  • Perform quality control inspections; drive root cause analysis from discovery through corrective action.

Team Leadership and Development
  • Train, coach, and develop team members to current and future work standards; ensure goals are met.
  • Lead by example; promote safety, skill-building, continuous improvement, and excellence in productivity and quality.
  • Ensure compliance with company and regulatory safety requirements; lead training.

Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Maintain clear communication with stakeholders; foster effective cross-functional collaboration.
  • Partner with Product on development initiatives; provide technical guidance to Sales and Client Services.
  • Support physical inventory audits, ensuring process discipline and accuracy.

Operations and Standards
  • Manage, document, and implement operational standards, work instructions, engineering changes, and best practices aligned to business strategy.
  • Ensure department is fully equipped; manage equipment maintenance and plan for future needs.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace in compliance with regulatory and company policies when working with equipment and hazardous materials.
  • Perform key department opening and closing duties; support company initiatives as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • 5 years in a comparable manufacturing role; 2+ years in management or supervision.
  • Manufacturing knowledge and material familiarity with metal, glass, porcelain, and leather. Experience in high-quality lighting or furniture strongly preferred.
  • Record of attracting, developing, and retaining talented people.
  • Preferred qualifications: Bachelor's degree with Industrial Design or Engineering concentration. Software: project workflow, 3D modeling and/or ERP.

SKILLS
  • Deep understanding of production operations, dependencies, and process design; able to translate business strategy into operational solutions.
  • Expert-level cold patina and metal finishing skills; trained in safety protocols, QC methodology, and care and handling standards.
  • Highly skilled manual dexterity; proficient with hand tools, hand-applied patination and immersion oxidation systems.
  • Ability to perceive color and surface characteristics and quality; highly developed aesthetic detail.
  • Qualified to read and interpret manufacturing drawings and specifications.
  • Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills; able to motivate, coach, and give effective feedback.
  • Analytical problem-solver; proficient with production systems and recordkeeping.
  • Adaptable and solutions-oriented; trustworthy with confidential information.
  • Physical: routinely lifts up to 30 lbs, works standing, reaches overhead, climbs ladders; compliant with PPE and hazardous material safety policies.

WORK SCHEDULE
  • Full-time on-site hours: Monday-Friday between 8:00AM-5:00PM.
  • Extended hours and weekend availability as needed.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND CHECK-INS SCHEDULE
  • Regular check-ins.
  • Annual performance review.

Salary from $80,000

This is a full-time position with competitive compensation and benefits. Position is based in our APPARATUS PRODUCTION facility in Red Hook. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at APPARATUS

  • Finishing Manager
    $80K — $96K *
    Brooklyn, NY 11226 (Kings County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Finishing Manager jobs: