Finishing Manager

Guided Search Partners; Lumberton (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is seeking a Finishing Manager in Lumberton, North Carolina. This role requires strong leadership and operational management skills within a high-volume manufacturing context. The successful candidate will oversee supervisory teams and ensure that safety and quality standards are consistently met. The position demands a balance between technical understanding and effective people leadership, with a focus on continuous improvement and team development. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities are essential for success in this impactful position.

Qualifications

• Leader in a high-volume production environment.
• Experience in finishing operations is required.
• Ability to manage performance and resolve personnel matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the supervisory team and production work groups.
• Manage daily execution of departmental objectives.
• Champion safety and quality standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Technical understanding

Organizational skills

Education

Four-year college degree (preferred)

Manufacturing leadership experience

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships. We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a well-established, high-volume manufacturing operation that plays a critical role in delivering consumer packaging used by some of the most widely recognized brands in the world. The organization operates at scale, combining advanced equipment, disciplined processes, and a strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

This opportunity exists as part of the company’s continued focus on strengthening leadership at the department level—ensuring production teams are supported, developed, and aligned with long-term operational goals. The Finishing Manager steps into a visible role with real influence over daily performance, team development, and cross-department collaboration.

The work is compelling for leaders who enjoy being close to the floor—someone who values technical understanding, clear communication, and the ability to guide teams through complexity while keeping standards high. This environment rewards hands-on leadership, accountability, and the drive to continuously improve how work gets done.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll balance people leadership, operational execution, and continuous improvement—owning outcomes while developing the team behind them.

• Lead and develop the supervisory team and production work groups, ensuring goals around safety, quality, productivity, and housekeeping are consistently met.
• Manage long-term departmental objectives while supporting daily execution, including scheduling, material flow, maintenance coordination, and issue resolution.
• Serve as a clear communication bridge between frontline supervision and site leadership, keeping priorities aligned and information flowing.
• Champion safety by fostering a culture of accountability and improvement, partnering closely with site safety leadership implement and refine procedures.
• Ensure quality standards are met through strong knowledge of product specifications, use of SPC techniques, and ongoing training of personnel.
• Drive productivity and efficiency while maintaining cost discipline and accountability for expenditures beyond budgeted levels.
• Build technical credibility by developing proficiency on department equipment and supporting troubleshooting, testing, and product development efforts.
• Collaborate with other department leaders to resolve issues, coordinate resources, and achieve shared operational goals.

Who You Are

You’re a leader who sets the tone through presence, clarity, and follow-through. You’re comfortable making decisions, addressing challenges directly, and motivating teams to perform at a high level—especially in fast-moving production environments.

You balance technical understanding with people leadership, earning trust through integrity, consistency, and approachability. Change, ambiguity, and competing priorities don’t slow you down; instead, they sharpen your focus.

You’re the type who runs toward responsibility, not away from it—bringing structure, calm, and momentum to the work and the people around you.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Four-year college degree preferred, ideally paired with equipment-direct experience in the folding carton industry.
• Closely related manufacturing leadership experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Prior production experience in finishing operations is required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage performance, and address personnel matters effectively.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Quality-focused and customer-oriented mindset.
• Leadership traits including drive for results, sound judgment, composure, integrity, and the ability to manage conflict constructively.

Why This Role Matters

The Finishing Manager plays a direct role in delivering safe, high-quality products while shaping the culture and performance of a critical production department. Your leadership influences not only daily results, but also the long-term strength of the team and the operation.

You’ll work closely with site leadership and peer managers, contributing to decisions that impact efficiency, quality, and employee engagement. With strong tenure across the organization and a clear commitment to operational excellence, this is a role where leadership is visible—and where your impact is felt quickly.

The timing is right for a leader who wants ownership, influence, and the chance to leave a meaningful mark on a well-run manufacturing operation.

Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the Operations Manager.
• Leads and develops the Finishing Department supervisory and production teams.
• Interfaces frequently with maintenance, safety, quality, and other department leaders.