Wood Finisher Department Manager

ICD, Ivan C. Dutterer, a J. Gibson McIlvain Company, since 1959 has been creating truly custom architectural millwork for America’s finest homes. Custom cabinets, doors, pergolas, and all manner of exterior millwork and trim is the mainstay of our business. Serving architects, builders, and contractors coast to coast and across the Caribbean islands.
With the partnership of our parent company, J. Gibson McIlvain and their centuries of lumber expertise we can source the finest materials and eliminate the quality control issues that come from multiple suppliers. Our stump to finished product reach allows for greater control of the quality but also greater insight into creative options and long-term sustainability of the materials used.

Oversee all production for a custom wood finishing shop. Work with shop manager to schedule and plan for upcoming workload. Plan timelines and adjust production tasks to hit delivery dates. Organize and develop finishing processes and SOP’s for the department. Oversee department staff (3-4 employees) and manage their daily tasks. Review quality control on all products through the department. Work as part of the finishing team delivering an exceptional product to our clients. Limited travel required for in-field finishing and for professional development. Requires continuing development of new techniques and remaining up to date with modern finishes and applications.

To ensure success in this role, you should have basic woodworking skills, extensive knowledge of finishing techniques, a good eye for detail and color, and leadership.

Job Responsibilities:

• Use spray equipment to apply many different finishes (prime, paint, stains, clear coats) from matte to high gloss. Understanding and ability to use spray equipment.
• Create control samples to match customer’s supplied information and be able to recreate the sample on a large scale project.
• Sand and smooth the item in preparation for finishing, including repairing minor damage, filling cracks, etc.
• Select and apply finishing products such as varnish and stains.
• Inspect the final product for quality before releasing for shipment.

• Color matching of stain and paint, NGR dyes, oil-based stains, conversion varnish, layering of toners, shaders, glazes and distressing.
• Maintain spray equipment, Airless/Air-assist HVLP, gravity-fed HVLP cup guns.
• Hand finishing of fine wood veneers, sanding, color matching, stain application, sanding sealers, top coating, booth maintenance, pump maintenance, pre-catalyzed lacquer.
• Perform finishes for cabinets using brush, spray, or hand-rub finishing ingredients, such as paint, oil, stain, or wax, onto and into wood grain; then apply lacquer or other sealers with an HVLP spray system.
• Select appropriate finishing ingredients depending on intended use, wood hardness, and surface type.

Job Requirements:

• Previous experience as a Wood Finisher
• Strong attention to detail
• In-depth knowledge of staining and finishing techniques
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 6:00am-2:30pm

Physical Requirements:

• Standing for several hours
• Squatting and bending
• Lifting up to 50lbs unassisted