Finishing Manager

Job Location:

Plant
- St. Marys
- St Marys, KS 66536
Job Category:
Management

The Finishing Manager is responsible for overseeing all operations within the Finishing Department, including both Paint and Stain. This role ensures that finishing processes run efficiently, safely, and consistently to deliver high-quality cabinet finishes that align with company standards and customer expectations. The Finishing Manager leads with a servant‑minded approach, supporting Finishing Supervisors and employees in Paint and Stain to achieve success, grow professionally, and uphold the company’s values of respect, accountability, and teamwork.

• Lead the Finishing Department with a servant‑minded approach, focusing on enabling the success of Finishing Supervisors and finishing staff.
• Build and maintain respectful, positive relationships with all team members in Paint and Stain.
• Provide clear direction and daily oversight to Finishing Supervisors, ensuring alignment with production goals, quality standards, and lean objectives.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the Finishing Department through coaching, training, and succession planning.
• Drive accountability while balancing empathy and fairness, creating an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and supported.
• Engage employees in problem‑solving and improvement activities, encouraging them to identify waste and suggest better ways of working.

• Oversee all finishing operations, including preparation, staining, painting, sealing, sanding, and final touch‑up.
• Ensure finishing processes are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Monitor workflow, staffing, and scheduling within Paint and Stain to meet production targets and delivery deadlines while minimizing bottlenecks and work‑in‑progress (WIP).
• Evaluate finishing methods, materials, and equipment; recommend and implement improvements to increase efficiency, quality, and consistency.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment throughout the Finishing Department using visual controls and 5S practices.
• Manage relationships with finishing‑related vendors (e.g., coatings suppliers), utilizing vendor resources, holding them accountable to agreed processes, standards, and performance expectations.
• Oversee and direct the activities of the onsite vendor technician, ensuring their work supports plant priorities, quality requirements, and continuous improvement goals.

• Establish and uphold clear quality standards for all finished products leaving the department.
• Work closely with the Product Readiness Manager/Team, Production, and Engineering to resolve finishing issues, defects, and rework through structured problem‑solving methods (e.g., 5‑Why, Root Cause Analysis).
• Standardize finishing processes and work instructions across Paint and Stain to ensure consistent color, sheen, and finish quality.
• Track finish quality metrics (defects, rework, scrap) and drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce variation and waste.
• Support standard work documentation and regular audits to ensure adherence and stability of processes.

• Ensure all finishing employees are properly trained on processes, equipment, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Develop and maintain training materials, SOPs, and checklists for Paint and Stain operations, incorporating lean best practices into standard work.
• Cross‑train employees where appropriate to increase flexibility, coverage, and resilience within the department.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance evaluations for employees and Finishing Supervisors.
• Train and coach team members on basic lean concepts (waste identification, 5S, visual management, standard work).

• Partner closely with the Plant Manager and other department supervisors (Machining, Assembly, Logistics, Product Readiness, etc.) to ensure smooth production flow into and out of Finishing.
• Communicate production priorities, schedule changes, and quality expectations…