Finishing Assistant Manager

APPARATUS•Red Hook, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

2 years in a comparable manufacturing role with high-quality products.
Manufacturing knowledge and material familiarity with metal, glass, porcelain, and leather.
Expert-level cold patina and metal finishing skills; trained in safety protocols, QC methodology, and care and handling standards.
Highly skilled manual dexterity; proficient with hand tools, hand-applied patination and immersion oxidation systems.
Ability to perceive color and surface characteristics and quality; and a highly developed eye for aesthetic detail.
Qualified to read and interpret manufacturing drawings and specifications.
Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills; able to motivate, coach, and give effective feedback.
Analytical problem-solver; proficient with production systems and recordkeeping.
Adaptable, solutions-oriented, and trustworthy with confidential information.
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience in high-quality lighting or furniture strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree with Industrial Design or Engineering concentration.
Software: project workflow, 3D modeling and/or ERP.

Responsibilities

Support finishing operations to meet production and launch commitments; schedule and manage work orders with real-time system updates.
Monitor production reports; understand and act on key performance metrics.
Perform immersion and hand-applied patinas, color matching, hand polishing-waxing-buffing according to work instructions, and prepare products, as needed.
Maintain expert-level aesthetic and functional understanding of all active collections, components, and quality parameters.
Perform quality control inspections; conduct root cause analysis from discovery through corrective action.
Train and mentor team members; set the standard for best practices and continuous improvement.
Lead by example; promote safety, skill-building, and excellence in productivity and quality.
Ensure compliance with company and regulatory safety requirements; support training.
Collaborate with Product on design and development initiatives; provide technical guidance to Sales and Client Services.
Support physical inventory audits and cross-functional projects as needed.
Foster productive working relationships.
Implement and maintain accurate SOPs, work instructions and engineering changes.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace in compliance with regulatory and company policies when working with equipment and hazardous materials.
Perform equipment maintenance and inspections; support department opening and closing duties.