Finishing Supervisor
Job Type: Full-time Work Location: In person — Warwick, RI
Palmer Industries, a leader in custom brass and architectural metalwork for over 30 years, is seeking a hands-on Finishing Supervisor to lead our Finishing Department. Our products are architectural in nature, of the highest quality, and serve a designer market through upscale bath and kitchen dealers, the designer trade, and hospitality clients. Our signature finishes are central to what sets Palmer apart — and this is the person who owns delivering them, day in and day out.
This is a working supervisory role overseeing a growing finishing operation that spans polishing, spray and coating, and chemical/oxidation finishing. A core part of the job is developing new patina and oxidation finishes — refining recipes, dialing in repeatability, and expanding what Palmer can offer. With nickel plating capability planned for the building, this role also offers the opportunity to help stand up and run a new plating line. You'll lead a close-knit team while staying hands-on with the most demanding work, hold a premium quality standard, and own the safety and environmental discipline that a chemical finishing operation requires.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Lead, schedule, and develop the finishing team; set daily priorities and keep work flowing to meet production deadlines.
- Train and coach finishers across polishing, surface prep, spray/coating, and chemical finishing; build bench strength.
- Own quality in the building — set the standard, inspect against it, and make the final call on finish acceptance.
- Coordinate with Production and Engineering to align finish requirements with project specifications and timelines.
Hands-On Finishing
- Perform and demonstrate skilled brass polishing, satin finishing, sanding, and surface prep (hand and machine).
- Set up and operate HVLP spray systems for lacquer and polymer ceramic thin film coatings (e.g., Cerakote); deliver consistent tone, gloss, texture, and film thickness.
- Diagnose and correct coating issues such as orange peel, fisheyes, runs, and uneven coverage.
Patination & Chemical Finishing Development
- Develop, refine, and document new patina, oxidation, and chemical/living finishes on brass — from sample development through repeatable production.
- Mix, maintain, and monitor chemical baths and solutions; control concentration, temperature, and timing for consistent results.
- Build out chemical finishing processes and standards as this capability scales within the building.
Safety, Compliance & Waste Management
- Own departmental safety: PPE enforcement, booth and ventilation airflow, respiratory protection, chemical handling, and hazard communication.
- Maintain OSHA compliance, lockout/tagout, SDS documentation, and safe storage of chemicals and flammables.
- Manage handling, labeling, storage, and disposal of finishing chemicals, spent baths, solvents, and rinse water in compliance with EPA/RCRA, RIDEM, and local wastewater discharge requirements.
- Maintain containment and spill prevention/response; coordinate hazardous waste pickups and keep accurate manifests and records.
- Lead safety training and incident response for the team.
Operations & Continuous Improvement
- Oversee equipment condition, maintenance, calibration, and basic troubleshooting across spray, sanding, polishing, and chemical finishing systems.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized building; drive process improvements in workflow, tooling, and consistency.
- Support related operations as needed (bender setup, brazing, grinding, CNC).
Requirements
- 5+ years in metal finishing, brass finishing, auto body refinishing, custom metal fabrication, or a closely related hands-on finishing trade, with at least 2 years leading or coordinating a team.
- Strong polishing and satin-finishing skills (hand and machine) and solid surface prep (sanding, sandblasting).
- Working knowledge of chemical finishing or patination, including safe handling, bath maintenance, and finish development.
- Proven ability to hold a premium quality standard and match finishes by eye (close vision and color vision essential).
- Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and proper chemical and waste handling.
- Ability to read shop drawings and translate specs into finish requirements.
- Dependable, organized, and able to keep a team on schedule under tight deadlines.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing patinas or chemical finishes from scratch, not just running existing recipes.
- HVLP spray experience and application of lacquer or polymer ceramic thin film coatings (e.g., Cerakote).
- Electrolytic or electroless nickel plating experience (e.g., Watts nickel) — a strong plus as we add plating capability.
- Experience finishing brass specifically.
- Familiarity with environmental compliance (RCRA, wastewater pretreatment) in a finishing or plating operation.
- Background in custom manufacturing, architectural metalwork, or luxury goods.
- Familiarity with bending, brazing, grinding, or CNC machining.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment This is a physical, hands-on role. You'll stand for most of the shift, frequently lift and move parts up to 30 pounds (occasionally up to 60), and perform repetitive finishing motions. The environment includes moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles, and chemicals — appropriate PPE is provided and required, and hearing protection is required in some areas.
Compensation From $30.00 per hour, based on experience and skill level.
Benefits 401(k) with matching · Health, dental, and vision insurance · Generous paid time off · Paid holidays
Pay: From $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
