Wood Finishing Manager

Catapult Solutions Group; Paris (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Catapult Solutions Group is seeking an experienced Wood Finishing Manager in Paris, TN to lead our high-performance finishing department. You will oversee prep and coating of premium commercial casework and laboratory furniture, manage paint booth and flatline operations, and guide sprayers and sanders to meet strict aesthetic and chemical-resistance standards.

The role emphasizes 5S/lean practices, safety compliance with EPA/OSHA, and continuous process improvement, with a focus on quality

Qualifications

• 3+ years of leadership experience in commercial architectural millwork, laboratory casework, or high-end institutional furniture manufacturing.
• Deep knowledge of catalyzed finishes, spray equipment operation, and film thickness measurement.
• Demonstrated familiarity with SEFA and AWI testing protocols and compliance requirements.
• Strong knowledge of hazardous material handling and PPE safety standards.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve finish defects (blistering, orange peel, adhesion failures) using root-cause analysis.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain quality standards under production pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finishing team, scheduling and hands-on training for finishers, sanders, mixers, and booth operators.
• Oversee paint booth and flatline finishing to specification, including spray application, cure times, and surface prep.
• Direct application of specialized coatings and ensure color-matching and thickness accuracy.
• Maintain compliance with EPA/OSHA, AWI and SEFA protocols and manage VOC emissions.
• Implement 5S and lean practices to minimize dust and reduce rework.
• Oversee safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and PPE compliance across department.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Lean practices

Hazardous materials handling

Color management

Safety compliance

Root-cause analysis

Communication

Tools

Spray equipment

Job description

Direct Hire Fulltime position for a Wood Finishing Manager in Paris TN

We are seeking an experienced Finishing Manager to lead our high-performance wood finishing department. In this role, you will oversee the preparation and coating of premium commercial casework and scientific-grade laboratory furniture. You will be responsible for managing paint booth and flatline finishing operations, leading a skilled team of sprayers and sanders, and ensuring that every piece of furniture meets strict structural, aesthetic, and chemical-resistance standards (AWI and SEFA protocols) while maintaining a safe, lean production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Team: Manage daily schedules, assign tasks, and provide hands‑on training to finishers, sanders, mixers, and booth operators
• Manage Finishing Operations: Oversee paint booth and flatline finishing operations to specification, including spray application, cure times, and surface preparation
• Control the Process: Direct application of specialized, high-performance coatings (conversion varnishes, polyurethanes, chemical-resistant finishes)
• Ensure Quality & Compliance: Maintain exact mil‑thickness requirements, manage strict color‑matching consistency, and track VOC emissions to comply with EPA and OSHA standards. Verify adherence to AWI and SEFA testing protocols for all finished products
• Drive Efficiency: Implement 5S and lean practices to minimize dust contamination, reduce rework, and eliminate workflow bottlenecks
• Hazmat Management: Oversee safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and maintain proper PPE compliance across the department

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of leadership experience in commercial architectural millwork, laboratory casework, or high‑end institutional furniture manufacturing
• Deep knowledge of catalyzed finishes, spray equipment operation (automated or manual), and film thickness measurement
• Demonstrated familiarity with SEFA and AWI testing protocols and compliance requirements
• Strong knowledge of hazardous material handling and PPE safety standards
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve finish defects (blistering, orange peel, adhesion failures) using root‑cause analysis
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain quality standards under production pressure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with EPA and OSHA regulatory compliance in finishing operations
• Lean manufacturing or 5S certification
• Background in both spray and dip application techniques
• Experience with color management systems and spectrophotometry