Job Description
AKER by MAAX - Martinsburg, West Virginia -
Final Finisher - Quality - Final Job Description
Company / Brand
American Bath Group / AKER by MAAX
Plant / Work Location
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Reporting Function
Quality Department
Employment / Pay Basis
Hourly
Shift / Standard Hours
Monday-Friday, 5:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Hourly Pay Rate
$17.10 per hour
Work Model
Onsite
2. Position Summary and Primary Mandate
The Final Finisher is assigned to the Quality Department at AKER by MAAX in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The position supports final surface-appearance quality in bathware manufacturing by inspecting visible product surfaces, completing plant-authorized minor cosmetic finishing, and routing inspected units through established acceptance, rework, or hold procedures. The objective is to prevent unacceptable appearance defects from proceeding to packaging or shipment.
The role requires consistent visual judgment, careful product handling, authorized minor cosmetic correction, reinspection, and accurate defect communication. Structural repair, chemical mixing, spray application, leak testing, and formal final-release decisions are excluded unless separately assigned and authorized under plant procedures.
3. Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesShift Preparation and Workstation Readiness
1. Review assigned products, Quality and Production handoffs, open hold or rework instructions, recent appearance defects, and daily priorities at the start of the shift.
2. Confirm incoming unit identity and work status when required by the plant Quality process; verify that any hold or rework instructions are understood before work begins.
3. Inspect designated work surfaces, inspection lighting, approved sanding or polishing tools, pads, support fixtures, carts, dust controls, and personal protective equipment before use.
4. Identify unsafe tooling, missing materials, unstable product supports, or inadequate inspection conditions and report them before processing additional units.
Visual Inspection and Defect Recognition
5. Visually inspect accessible customer-facing surfaces, edges, transitions, corners, and recessed areas using the current product-specific inspection standard.
6. Recognize scratches, scuffs, chips, pinholes, blisters, bubbles, streaks, residue, uneven gloss, sanding marks, and other appearance conditions addressed by the applicable Quality criteria.
7. Use approved defect examples, inspection lighting, viewing angles, and work instructions to make consistent observations rather than applying informal acceptance standards.
8. Distinguish superficial conditions eligible for authorized minor correction from cracks, deeper damage, structural or functional concerns, and uncertain defects requiring Quality direction.
9. Identify recurring defects or handling damage that may originate during forming, spraying, trimming, earlier finishing, assembly, or product movement; communicate patterns to the appropriate team.
Authorized Cosmetic Finishing and Reinspection
10. Perform minor surface corrections only when the defect type and work method are approved for this position and the employee has completed required training.
11. Use the approved abrasive grit, spot-sanding method, buffing or polishing technique, residue-removal process, and cleaning materials applicable to the unit and surface finish.
12. Control tool pressure, speed, contact area, and abrasive sequence to protect surface thickness, gloss, color, texture, product edges, and overall appearance.
13. Keep pads, cloths, tools, and surfaces clean so cosmetic work does not introduce contamination, haze, swirl marks, thin spots, gouges, or additional scratches.
14. Reinspect corrected areas under designated viewing conditions for uniform sheen, appearance match, smoothness, and absence of secondary defects.
15. Stop and escalate repair attempts that do not meet the approved standard or reveal more extensive damage; do not conceal defects or continue beyond authorized repair limits.
Quality Status, Records, Product Handling, and Handoffs
16. Identify and segregate units requiring further inspection, specialist repair, rejection, or other Quality disposition using current hold, marking, and rework procedures.
17. Do not clear holds, approve exceptions, sign final release, or change defect limits unless specifically authorized under the applicable Quality system.
18. Maintain required product identification, traceability, defect classification, touch-up or rework records, hold tags, and inspection status entries using assigned paper or electronic systems.
19. Handle and reposition units using approved padded supports, carts, fixtures, and assistance to prevent damage after inspection or finishing.
20. Coordinate with Quality, Production, authorized repair personnel, Packaging, and Material Handling to ensure appropriate movement of conforming and nonconforming units.
21. Communicate unresolved holds, repeat defects, tool or material shortages, inspection backlogs, and unfinished work during shift and process handoffs.
Safety, Housekeeping, and Production Support
22. Maintain clean tools, pads, work surfaces, and surrounding areas; collect debris and waste through approved methods and protect clean finished surfaces.
23. Follow posted safety, dust-control, ventilation, chemical-handling, rotating-tool, ergonomic, and material-handling procedures; use required personal protective equipment.
24. Report damaged cords, hoses, pads, guards, unstable stands, blocked aisles, or other unsafe conditions and discontinue affected work until cleared through plant procedures.
25. Support steady product flow and timely handoffs without reducing inspection thoroughness, bypassing Quality controls, or performing unauthorized work.
4. Key Accountabilities and Performance Expectations
Performance is assessed against current plant safety, Quality, workmanship, and production standards. Inspection and touch-up speed must not take priority over defect detection, approved reinspection, or nonconforming-product control.
Cosmetic finishing quality
Completes only approved minor repairs; achieves an even, clean finish without creating haze, swirls, thin areas, scratches, or finish mismatch.
Product status and Quality control
Separates accepted, rework, and held units as directed; preserves Quality authorization boundaries and does not independently release exceptions.
Production flow and handoffs
Supports consistent inspection and corrective-work flow; communicates repeat defects, backlogs, and unresolved units promptly.
Product handling and protection
Uses approved fixtures and movement methods to avoid impact, edge damage, contamination, and handling scratches.
Records and traceability
Completes required checks, defects, touch-ups, hold markings, and status documentation accurately and promptly.
Safety and equipment care
Uses authorized tools and required controls; reports hazards, maintains housekeeping, and protects workpieces and operators.
Attendance and proficiency
Reports reliably for the Monday-Friday, 5:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. schedule and maintains demonstrated task competency.
5. Decision-Making Authority and EscalationWithin Training and Authorization, the Final Finisher May
• Inspect assigned bathware surfaces against established visual standards and identify deviations requiring further Quality attention.
• Perform designated light cosmetic corrections using approved methods, equipment, materials, and acceptance criteria.
• Flag, tag, segregate, or route nonconforming product according to the plant hold and rework process.
• Document inspection or corrective work and pass products through established handoff procedures without granting unauthorized final release.
Quality, Production, EHS, or Maintenance Direction Is Required For
• Structural or deep damage, cracks, blisters of uncertain significance, suspected functional defects, or any defect outside established cosmetic touch-up limits.
• Product rejection, scrapping, final acceptance, release from hold, shipment authorization, or other formal disposition requiring designated Quality authority.
• Unapproved fiberglass or resin repair, gel-coat or coating work, chemical mixing, spray application, leak testing, or changes to acceptance criteria.
• Unfamiliar materials, excessive dust or vapors, inadequate ventilation, unsuitable PPE, unsafe rotating equipment, unstable workpieces, or uncontrolled spills.
• Repairs, powered-equipment servicing, lockout/tagout, or work beyond the operator’s documented training and authorization.
6. Working Relationships
Quality Leadership
Receives inspection priorities, visual standards, audit feedback, and direction on holds, rework, disposition, and escalation.
Quality Inspectors / Auditors
Coordinates consistent defect classification, reinspection, traceability, and required acceptance records.
Production / Finishing Leadership
Communicates incoming product conditions, repeated appearance defects, workload, and processing or handoff constraints.
Qualified Repair / Finishing Personnel
Refers damage or corrective work outside authorized minor cosmetic finishing and communicates status of affected units.
Packaging / Material Handling
Coordinates protected product movement and separation of conforming, held, and rework units.
EHS / Training / Maintenance
Follows approved PPE, tool, dust, chemical, ergonomics, and equipment rules; reports defects or unsafe conditions and completes qualification.
7. Required Qualifications
• Ability to learn and consistently apply visual and tactile appearance standards, defect examples, work instructions, and Quality guidance.
• Attention to detail sufficient to identify small surface irregularities, distinguish approved touch-up from more serious damage, and escalate uncertain findings.
• Ability to use approved hand or light powered finishing tools safely after required instruction and authorization.
• Ability to follow equipment, chemical, dust-control, personal protective equipment, safe-handling, and housekeeping procedures.
• Ability to complete required counts, defect notes, status tags, inspections, and handoff records accurately using designated paper or electronic systems after training.
• Ability to communicate clearly with Quality, Production, repair personnel, and Material Handling and to follow hold or nonconforming-product instructions.
• Dependable attendance and ability to work Monday-Friday, 5:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
8. Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in bathware, acrylic forming, gel-coated or fiberglass-reinforced products, or other visible-surface manufacturing.
• Experience with hand sanding, polishing, buffing, detailing, or small-area cosmetic correction requiring consistent finish appearance.
• Experience in Quality inspection or rework documentation using visual standards, defect catalogs, hold tags, or checklists.
• Transferable experience in automotive paint/detailing, marine finishing, furniture or coating finishing, or similar appearance-sensitive production.
9. Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Behaviors
• Strong attention to surface appearance, visual detail, gloss and texture consistency, and prevention of downstream cosmetic escapes.
• Disciplined use of approved inspection lighting, reference samples, work instructions, and quality acceptance standards.
• Fine-motor control, hand-eye coordination, consistent sanding and polishing technique, and care around curved or recessed product surfaces.
• Sound judgment to stop, hold, or escalate unclear defects instead of concealing conditions or applying unapproved repairs.
• Reliable documentation, ownership of assigned Quality work, careful product handling, and effective cross-functional handoffs.
• Safety awareness around dust, polishing compounds, rotating tools, cords and hoses, handling equipment, and required PPE.
• Commitment to American Bath Group values: Integrity, Transparency, Servant Leadership, Accountability, Teamwork, and Safety.
10. Tools, Equipment, Materials, and Systems
• Approved fixed or portable inspection lighting, visual surface standards, reference defect samples, work instructions, and check sheets.
• Plant-authorized hand-sanding blocks, designated abrasives, manual or powered polishing/buffing tools, and clean pads for approved minor finishing tasks.
• Approved polish, cleaner, cloths, and surface-protection materials used in accordance with assigned task instructions and safety data sheets.
• Approved padded stands, product fixtures, carts, supports, protective covers, and product identification materials.
• Quality hold labels, rework documentation, inspection forms, production or traceability records, and designated reporting systems.
• Task-specific guards, dust collection or ventilation controls, required protective equipment, and authorized cleanup or waste-handling supplies.
11. Physical Requirements
The position involves visual inspection and controlled minor finishing around manufactured bathware products. Employees must be able to perform essential work safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Physical Demand
12. Work Environment and Exposure
• Onsite work in the AKER by MAAX Martinsburg bathware manufacturing operation, within a Quality inspection or finishing area adjacent to active production as assigned.
• Nearby manufacturing operations may include forming, spraying, trimming, finishing, assembly, product movement, inspection, and packaging.
• Work may involve polishing residue, surface dust, vibration, noise, approved cleaning products, chemical odors, and temperature variations in the production area.
• Product surfaces, carts, fixtures, and rotating tools may create handling, contact, pinch-point, trip, or ergonomic hazards that require current site controls.
• Inspection conditions depend on proper lighting, clean surfaces, available reference standards, and appropriate protection from dust or surface contamination.
• The established regular schedule is Monday-Friday, 5:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
13. Safety, Quality, and Compliance Responsibilities
The Final Finisher follows current plant hazard assessments, safety data sheets, posted controls, Quality standards, and authorized work methods. Personal protective equipment and any task-specific respiratory requirements are determined by current site procedures.
Task or Condition
Safety / PPE Requirement
Routine Quality work
Wear site-required safety eyewear, protective footwear, and designated production or Quality work clothing.
Hand sanding and finishing
Use authorized abrasives and methods; control hand and body position; protect the workpiece from excess material removal.
Rotating or powered tools
Inspect tools, cords, hoses, pads, and guards; secure workpieces and avoid loose clothing or jewelry near rotating parts.
Dust and polish residue
Follow ventilation and dust-control procedures; avoid cleanup techniques that disperse harmful dust when prohibited.
Chemicals and cleaners
Use only approved materials with the required SDS-based chemical-handling, splash protection, storage, and waste procedures.
Hearing / respiratory hazards
Use hearing protection or a respirator only as required under the applicable plant safety and respiratory-protection programs.
Gloves and hand protection
Use task-approved hand protection; observe restrictions around rotating tools where gloves may create entanglement hazards.
Handling and housekeeping
Use stable supports, approved material-handling methods, clear aisles, and authorized cleanup and waste practices.
• Stop work and report near misses, injuries, dust-control or ventilation issues, damaged tools, unstable product supports, and other unsafe conditions promptly.
• Apply current defect criteria, visual reference standards, inspection frequency, reinspection practices, and documented product-hold procedures.
• Do not perform structural repairs, chemical mixing, spray application, or release decisions outside assigned authorization.
• Protect customer-visible surfaces from handling damage, contamination, over-polishing, or secondary defects.
• Complete Quality, safety, defect, scrap, rework, and training records accurately when required.
14. Onboarding and Initial Proficiency Expectations
Before independent operation, employees complete required site orientation and demonstrate consistent Quality judgment, authorized finishing skills, safe work practices, and proper product-status control under the direction of designated plant personnel.
• Complete orientation covering site layout, bathware manufacturing flow, Quality role boundaries, employee safety, hazard communication, emergency response, and escalation.
• Learn assigned product families and finish types, customer-visible inspection zones, visual acceptance examples, and established hold and rework rules.
• Demonstrate correct use of required lighting, reference standards, documented inspection techniques, and defect classification.
• Complete hands-on instruction in approved abrasives, hand or powered finishing tools, polishing pressure and speed, surface protection, equipment checks, and dust controls as applicable.
• Practice inspected-unit status control, segregation, recordkeeping, appropriate product handling, and reinspection after minor cosmetic corrections.
• Recognize defects requiring more extensive repair or formal Quality disposition and escalate them instead of making unauthorized corrections.
• Demonstrate safe, repeatable performance to the applicable plant Quality and training standard before working independently on assigned products or methods.
15. Standard Company StatementsReasonable Accommodation
American Bath Group will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
Responsibilities and Business Needs
This description outlines the principal duties and requirements of the position and is not an exhaustive statement of every task. Responsibilities may be reasonably modified based on business needs. Employees may perform only work for which they have completed required training and authorization.
Equal Employment Opportunity
American Bath Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Work Authorization and Sponsorship
Employment is subject to verification of authorization to work in the United States. American Bath Group does not provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Pay: $17.10 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 2 years (Required)
- Quality inspection: 1 year (Required)
Location:
- Martinsburg, WV 25404 (Required)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Martinsburg, WV 25404 (Required)
Work Location: In person
