Finishing Assistant Manager

<h2>FINISHING ASSISTANT MANAGER</h2> <p>APPARATUS is a New York-based designer and manufacturer of a distinctive catalog of high-end, high-touch lighting, furniture and objects. We produce both in-house and with the support of high-quality external partners; our catalog is sold globally.</p> <p>This role supports day-to-day finishing operations, contributing to production quality, team development, and workflow execution in alignment with APPARATUS standards of craft and excellence.</p> <p> </p> <p>RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <p>Production Operations and Quality</p> <ul> <li>Support finishing operations to meet production and launch commitments; schedule and manage work orders with real-time system updates.</li> <li>Monitor production reports; understand and act on key performance metrics.</li> <li>Perform immersion and hand-applied patinas, color matching, hand polishing-waxing-buffing according to work instructions, and prepare products, as needed..</li> <li>Maintain expert-level aesthetic and functional understanding of all active collections, components, and quality parameters.</li> <li>Perform quality control inspections; conduct root cause analysis from discovery through corrective action.</li> </ul> <p>Team Leadership and Development</p> <ul> <li>Train and mentor team members; set the standard for best practices and continuous improvement.</li> <li>Lead by example; promote safety, skill-building, and excellence in productivity and quality.</li> <li>Ensure compliance with company and regulatory safety requirements; support training.</li> </ul> <p>Cross-Functional Partnership</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate with Product on design and development initiatives; provide technical guidance to Sales and Client Services.</li> <li>Support physical inventory audits and cross-functional projects as needed.</li> <li>Foster productive working relationships.</li> </ul> <p>Operations and Standards</p> <ul> <li>Implement and maintain accurate SOPs, work instructions and engineering changes.</li> <li>Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace in compliance with regulatory and company policies when working with equipment and hazardous materials.</li> <li>Perform equipment maintenance and inspections; support department opening and closing duties.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <ul> <li>2 years in a comparable manufacturing role with high-quality products.</li> <li>Manufacturing knowledge and material familiarity with metal, glass, porcelain, and leather. Experience in high-quality lighting or furniture strongly preferred.</li> <li>Preferred qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with Industrial Design or Engineering concentration. Software: project workflow, 3D modeling and/or ERP.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>SKILLS</p> <ul> <li>Solid understanding of production operations, dependencies, and process impacts.</li> <li>Expert-level cold patina and metal finishing skills; trained in safety protocols, QC methodology, and care and handling standards.</li> <li>Highly skilled manual dexterity; proficient with hand tools, hand-applied patination and immersion oxidation systems.</li> <li>Ability to perceive color and surface characteristics and quality; and a highly developed eye for aesthetic detail.</li> <li>Qualified to read and interpret manufacturing drawings and specifications.</li> <li>Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills; able to motivate, coach, and give effective feedback.</li> <li>Analytical problem-solver;