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Paint Finishing Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Custom Wood Products

Finishing Manager

Saint Marys, KS · On-site

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 ...

Edsal Manufacturing

Finishing Supevisor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $85K/hr

Identify and resolve paint quality issues and equipment interruptions * Maintain sufficient ... Manage inventory and ordering all consumable items, including powder coating booth supplies, liquid ...

Edsal Manufacturing

Finishing Supevisor

Chicago, IL · On-site

Identify and resolve paint quality issues and equipment interruptions * Maintain sufficient ... Manage inventory and ordering all consumable items, including powder coating booth supplies, liquid ...

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Paint Finishing Manager information

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$36.5K

$74.4K

$99.5K

How much do paint finishing manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for paint finishing manager in the United States is $74,436.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,500.00 and $87,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a paint finishing manager do?

A Paint Finishing Manager oversees the paint finishing operations in manufacturing or production environments, ensuring that products receive high-quality coatings or finishes. They manage teams of technicians or painters, maintain equipment, and develop processes to optimize efficiency and meet safety and quality standards. Additionally, they may be responsible for inventory management of paint and supplies, training staff, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

What are the main challenges a paint finishing manager faces in maintaining consistent quality standards across shifts?

One of the key challenges for a Paint Finishing Manager is ensuring that quality standards are met consistently, regardless of shift or team. This often involves implementing standardized procedures, training staff regularly, and closely monitoring equipment performance. Additionally, the manager must address any variations in materials or environmental conditions that could affect the finish. Effective communication between shifts and proactive problem-solving are essential to maintain high-quality output and minimize rework.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a paint finishing manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Paint Finishing Manager, you need expertise in surface preparation, paint application techniques, and quality control, often supported by experience in automotive or industrial finishing and relevant supervisory experience. Familiarity with paint booths, spray equipment, and safety regulations, as well as knowledge of systems like ERP software for production tracking, is typically required. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help manage teams and ensure high-quality results. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining production efficiency, safety standards, and product quality in a demanding manufacturing environment.

What is the difference between Paint Finishing Manager vs Paint Supervisor?

AspectPaint Finishing ManagerPaint Supervisor
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire finishing process, manages teams, ensures quality standardsSupervises daily painting operations, directs workers, monitors workflow
CredentialsExperience in finishing, leadership skills, possibly certifications in painting or finishingExperience in painting, supervisory skills, technical knowledge of painting techniques
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automotive, aerospace, or industrial facilitiesPainting booths, production lines, industrial settings

The main difference is that the Paint Finishing Manager has broader oversight and strategic responsibilities, while the Paint Supervisor focuses on daily operations and team supervision. Both roles require relevant experience in painting and finishing, but the manager typically has more leadership and planning duties.

What are popular job titles related to Paint Finishing Manager jobs?

For Paint Finishing Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Paint Finishing Manager job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,436 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Finishing Manager

Saint Marys, KS • On-site

Custom Wood Products
See more jobs at Custom Wood Productsexternal

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

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.
This role is primarily focused on leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement. The Finishing Manager's main responsibility is to guide, coach, and support the finishing team, while ensuring that day-to-day production activities and improvement efforts are carried out effectively by the team.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership & People Development
  • 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.

2. Finishing Operations Oversight
  • 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.

3. Quality & Process Control
  • 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.

4. Team Training & Development
  • 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).

5. Collaboration & Communication
  • 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 clearly and consistently to the Finishing team.
  • Provide input on plant-wide capacity planning, line balancing, and workflow design from a finishing perspective.
  • Collaborate with key vendors to schedule onsite support, trials, and technical visits, ensuring vendor activities align with production schedules and improvement priorities.
  • Support the Vice President of Operations and Plant Manager in aligning finishing processes and standards across all company facilities, including lean and continuous improvement practices.
  • Share best practices and lessons learned from St. Marys' Finishing Department with counterparts in other KC, and Maple Hill locations to drive consistency and improvement.

6. Continuous Improvement, Lean & Culture
  • Champion a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and respect within the Finishing Department.
  • Lead the application of lean principles in the Finishing area, including:
    • Identifying and eliminating the eight wastes (transportation, inventory, motion, waiting, overproduction, over-processing, defects, and underutilized talent) in daily operations.
    • Implementing and sustaining 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) in booths, prep areas, and material storage.
    • Supporting flow and pull where appropriate to reduce WIP, shorten lead times, and improve responsiveness.
  • Facilitate or participate in kaizen / improvement events focused on:
    • Reducing defects, rework, and touch-up
    • Improving color-change/set-up times
    • Optimizing material usage (stain, paint, solvents)
    • Improving ergonomics and safety in high-frequency tasks
  • Use basic lean/CI tools to manage and improve performance, such as:
    • Visual management boards for safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics
    • Daily or weekly tier meetings / huddles to review performance and prioritize actions
    • 5-Why and root cause analysis for recurring problems
  • Encourage employees to view their roles in finishing as a career path with growth potential, involving them in:
    • Suggestion systems or idea boards
    • Improvement teams and trials of new methods or equipment
  • Promote and model the company's values and lean mindset in all daily interactions and decisions, ensuring that improvements are:
    • Safe
    • Sustainable
    • Standardized and documented

  • Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment, preferably in cabinetry, wood products, or a related finishing-intensive industry.
  • Direct knowledge of finishing operations (stain, paint, sealers, topcoats, color matching, surface preparation, etc.).
  • Strong people management skills with demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop employees and supervisors.
  • Experience applying lean manufacturing / continuous improvement principles (e.g., 5S, standard work, waste reduction, visual management, basic problem-solving tools).
  • Experience managing vendor relationships, including utilizing vendor technical resources, holding vendors accountable to process and quality standards, and coordinating onsite vendor support.
  • Solid understanding of production scheduling, workflow, and quality control in a high-mix, custom manufacturing environment.
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Commitment to servant leadership and building a strong, positive team culture.
  • Familiarity with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements related to finishing materials and processes (e.g., VOCs, PPE, ventilation).

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