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AB
Aquatic Bath
Finishing Technician
Entry-Level JobVerifiedNo experience needed
Career Insights for Finisher / Polisher / Buffer
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Based on Pennsylvania data
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What they do
A Finisher, Polisher, or Buffer cleans, sands and polishes materials such as wood, stone, plastic, or metal used in manufacturing processes. Performs finishing and polishing done at the final stages of production to prepare goods for consumers.
$42,971 / year median in Pennsylvania
-4% projected decline
Job Description
Official Job Title:
Finishing Company /Brand:
American Bath Group / Aquatic Bathware Plant /Work Location:
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania Department:
Manufacturing- Finishing /
Repair Reports To:
Finishing Supervisor Supervisory Scope:
None Employment /FLSA Status:
Hourly; non-exemptHourly Rate:
In accordance with the current plant wage structure Shift /Standard Schedule:
Monday through Thursday 5:00 am to 3:30 pmWork Model:
Onsite Overtime /Schedule Expectations:
May be required based on production needs 2. Position Summary and Primary Mandate Inspect, repair, sand, grind, blend, buff, polish, and otherwise finish bathware units so surface imperfections and approved defects are corrected before the product proceeds to final quality review, packing, or shipment. The role combines defect recognition, controlled use of repair materials and power tools, and hands-on surface finishing in a paced manufacturing environment. Finishing occurs late enough in the process that defects may already contain significant material, labor, and production value. The employee must therefore distinguish repairable conditions from defects that require Quality or supervisor review, perform approved repairs without creating new cosmetic or structural damage, and leave the unit with a consistent appearance that meets Aquatic acceptance criteria. 3. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Incoming Inspection and Defect Identification Receive assigned units from molding, trimming, repair, or another upstream operation and confirm the model, work order, traveler, or production identity before work. Inspect visible and touch-accessible surfaces for scratches, chips, voids, pinholes, rough areas, resin/fiberglass exposure, edge damage, surface waviness, contamination, incomplete trim, or other defects covered by the station's acceptance criteria. Determine whether the condition is within the employee's approved repair scope; hold or escalate units when defects exceed the standard, repeat, or suggest deeper structural/process concerns. Protect acceptable surrounding surfaces before grinding, sanding, patching, or buffing so repair activity does not create secondary damage. Repair Preparation and Material Mixing Clean and prepare the defective area using the approved method so repair material adheres and contamination is not trapped beneath the repair. Grind, feather, or sand damaged areas to the depth and profile allowed by the work instruction while protecting the product geometry and finished surface. Measure and mix approved patch compound, filler, putty, catalyst, pigment, or related repair material using the specified ratio, quantity, pot-life, and labeling controls. Use only current, identified, and approved repair materials; report expired, contaminated, incorrectly labeled, or abnormal materials before use. Repair, Sanding, Buffing, and Finish Restoration Apply repair material to approved defects and shape or level the repair to match surrounding contours, radii, edges, and surface transitions. Allow repair materials to cure or set for the required time before sanding, finishing, or handling further. Use orbital sanders, grinders, hand-sanding tools, buffers, polishers, or other approved equipment with controlled pressure, angle, speed, and abrasive sequence. Wax, polish, buff, or blend repaired areas as required to restore a consistent finish without burning, gouging, thinning, scratching, or distorting the surface. Remove dust, residue, compound, or masking materials and present the unit in a clean condition for final inspection. Quality Verification, Flow, and Documentation Perform a final self-inspection of repaired areas under the lighting and viewing conditions specified by Aquatic before releasing the unit forward. Do not pass a known defect forward; correct within training and repair limits or notify Quality or supervision for disposition. Maintain required production pace while protecting repair quality, cure times, tool control, dust collection, ventilation, and PPE requirements. Complete production counts, defect codes, repair records, rework documentation, material tracking, or other required paperwork and system entries. Maintain tools and work areas in clean, orderly condition; dispose of dust, used abrasives, cured repair waste, chemical containers, and contaminated materials according to plant requirements. 4. Key Accountabilities and Performance Expectations The following expectations define the stable, ongoing performance requirements of the role. Numeric production targets, annual goals, and temporary priorities are managed through current plant performance standards. Repair Quality- Produces repairs that meet Aquatic appearance, surface, geometry, and acceptance criteria without creating secondary defects. Defect Recognition and Containment
- Identifies nonconforming product, repairs only within authorized limits, and prevents known defects from being passed to packing or shipment. Material Mixing and Control
- Uses approved repair materials, ratios, quantities, pot-life, labeling, and disposal methods and reports abnormal or expired material. Tool Technique
- Uses grinders, sanders, buffers, and hand tools with controlled technique to remove only the material necessary for an approved repair. Production Flow and Efficiency
- Completes repairs within the expected production pace while respecting cure time, quality checks, and safety controls. Housekeeping and Exposure Control
- Maintains dust collection, ventilation, clean work surfaces, orderly cords/hoses, and compliant waste handling. Records and Communication
- Documents defects and repairs accurately and communicates recurring defects or conditions that may indicate an upstream process problem.
- Receives repair priorities, model assignments, rate expectations, and disposition direction; escalates complex defects, tool issues, or production constraints.
Molding / Pull
/ Trim Operations- Communicates recurring defects, incomplete trim, surface damage, or conditions that appear to originate upstream. Quality
- Confirms acceptance criteria, reviews defects or repairs outside standard limits, provides hold/disposition direction, and audits finished units.
Packing / Shipping
- Transfers completed units only after required repair and inspection steps are complete and communicates any special handling concern. Material Handling
- Coordinates movement of units, carts, racks, and repair supplies while preventing product damage. Maintenance
- Reports damaged sanders, buffers, grinders, dust collection, ventilation, cords, guards, or fixtures and supports safe troubleshooting within authorization. EHS / Plant Safety
- Follows chemical, dust, PPE, respiratory, hearing, ergonomic, waste, and emergency requirements and reports exposure or control concerns.
Controlled power-tool technique:
angle, pressure, speed, abrasive progression, edge control, and awareness of heat buildup or over-removal. Basic repair-material control, including measuring, mixing, catalyst ratio, cure time, pot life, contamination prevention, and waste handling. Attention to detail and patience sufficient to blend a repair into surrounding geometry and finish without overworking the unit. Chemical- and dust-safety awareness and disciplined compliance with ventilation, dust collection, PPE, labeling, spill, and disposal controls.
Production judgment:
balancing pace with cure time, inspection, repair limits, and defect containment rather than sending incomplete work forward. Alignment with American Bath Group values, including Integrity, Transparency, Servant Leadership, Accountability, Teamwork, and Safety. 10. Tools, Equipment, Materials, and Systems Orbital sanders and buffers/polishers identified in the source role description Plant-approved grinders, rotary tools, hand-sanding blocks, scrapers, files, or detail tools as included in Aquatic standard work Abrasive discs, sanding paper, polishing pads, buffing pads, and consumable repair accessories Approved patch compound, filler/putty, catalyst, pigment, wax, polish, cleaning materials, and related repair chemicals specified by current Aquatic work instructions and SDSs Mixing cups, scales, measuring devices, stir tools, dispensers, or timers used to control repair-material preparation Dust collection, local exhaust, vacuum systems, work lights, carts, fixtures, stands, production travelers, scanners, or check sheets Authorization boundary: Employees may use only approved repair chemicals, tools, abrasives, and powered equipment for which they have completed required training. Material substitutions, off-standard mix ratios, structural repairs, equipment servicing, lockout/tagout, and changes to ventilation or respiratory protection require the appropriate supervisor, Quality, Maintenance, or EHS authorization. 11. Safety and Personal Protective Equipment Required PPE and engineering controls are established by posted plant rules, task-specific hazard assessments, applicable safety data sheets, and written safety programs. Employees must use assigned PPE and may not bypass controls or perform work outside their training and authorization. Safety glasses with side protection; safety-toe, slip-resistant footwear; plant-approved work clothing. Grinding / sanding / flying debris- Primary eye protection plus face shield when required by the hazard assessment; guarding and dust collection must be in service. Repair chemicals / catalyst handling
- Chemical-resistant gloves and protective sleeves or clothing selected for the specific repair materials and SDS requirements. Noise-designated area
- Hearing protection as posted or required. Dust / vapor respiratory hazard
- Only EHS-selected, NIOSH-approved respiratory protection for measured particulate or vapor exposure, used under the site's written respiratory-protection program. Sharp fiberglass edges / rough product handling
- Cut•or abrasion-resistant gloves when required by the task hazard assessment and compatible with tool operation.