Supervisor, Production(Finish)

11 MasterBrand Cabinets LLC; Howard Lake (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MasterBrand Cabinets LLC in Howard Lake, MN seeks a Production Supervisor for the Finishing department. You will lead daily finishing operations, including staining, painting, glazing, sanding, touch-up, and curing, while ensuring safety, quality, and on-time production.

You will coach and develop finishing associates, manage attendance and performance, and collaborate with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Materials and HR to achieve business goals.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience.
• Previous leadership, team lead, or supervisory experience.
• Strong communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead finishing operations to meet production schedules and customer demand.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with safety/environmental requirements.
• Balance staffing and resources to maximize productivity and throughput.
• Monitor finishing processes from staining to curing and inspection.
• Drive continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Collaborate with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, and HR to support business needs.
• Provide regular updates on department performance and challenges.
• Maintain production and workforce records.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Safety focus

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's degree in Manufacturing or related field

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Spray finishing equipment

Coatings & finishes knowledge

Job description

For more than 70 years, MasterBrand has been shaping the places where people come together, enriching lives and creating meaningful memories for our customers. We are the #1 manufacturer of residential cabinets in North America, and our associates produce the most comprehensive portfolio of superior cabinetry products for the kitchen, bath and other parts of the home. Come see why our associates love working at MasterBrand.

Job Description:

Production Supervisor - Finishing Department

Job Title: Production Supervisor(Finishing)

Department: Finishing Operations

Location: Howard Lake, MN

Reports To: Production Manager

Position Summary

The Production Supervisor (Finish) is responsible for leading daily operations within the finishing department, including staining, painting, glazing, sanding, touch‑up, curing, and related finishing processes. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and high‑quality production of finished cabinet components while driving employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The supervisor provides leadership to production associates and works closely with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, and Human Resources to achieve business objectives.

Essential Responsibilities

Safety Leadership

• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture within the finishing department.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and hazardous material handling requirements.
• Conduct safety audits, observations, and investigations as needed.
• Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to chemical handling procedures.
• Partner with Environmental, Health & Safety teams to reduce workplace risks.

Employee Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop finishing associates to achieve performance expectations.
• Manage attendance, performance, employee relations concerns, and disciplinary processes.
• Support onboarding, training, and cross‑training initiatives.
• Foster accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement.
• Conduct regular performance and development conversations.

Finishing Operations Management

• Direct daily finishing operations to meet production schedules and customer demand.
• Monitor workflow throughout sanding, staining, painting, glazing, curing, inspection, and touch‑up processes.
• Balance staffing and resources to maximize productivity and throughput.
• Ensure department goals for safety, quality, delivery, and cost are achieved.
• Identify and address production bottlenecks that impact flow or output.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure all finishing processes meet company and customer quality standards.
• Monitor color consistency, finish quality, adhesion, appearance, and overall product specifications.
• Investigate quality defects and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to drive process improvements.
• Reinforce workmanship standards and attention to detail throughout the department.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead and support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize root cause analysis and problem‑solving techniques to improve performance.
• Drive waste reduction, efficiency improvements, and process standardization.
• Encourage team participation in improvement activities and idea generation.

Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to coatings, paints, stains, solvents, and waste handling.
• Monitor material usage and work to reduce waste and improve sustainability efforts.
• Maintain compliance with required documentation and reporting procedures.

Communication & Collaboration

• Conduct daily startup meetings and communicate operational priorities.
• Collaborate with Scheduling, Materials, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Human Resources to support business needs.
• Provide regular updates on department performance and operational challenges.
• Maintain accurate production and workforce records.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience.
• Previous leadership, team lead, or supervisory experience.
• Strong communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in wood finishing, paint systems, cabinet manufacturing, or related finishing operations.
• Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement experience.
• Knowledge of spray finishing equipment, coatings, stains, and finishing processes.

Key Competencies

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Employee Development
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Conflict Resolution
• Continuous Improvement
• Quality Focus
• Safety Focus
• Operational Excellence

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, paint, stains, and finishing materials.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 p