Wood Finish Color Matching Specialist / Color Technician New Style Cabinets, Inc. Chicago, IL Job Details Full-time $35 - $55 an hour 18 hours ago Qualifications Paint mixing systems Visual color comparison Staining (finishing technique) Chemical handling Material mixing Wood finishing Attention to detail Technical troubleshooting support Clean workspace maintenance Color matching analysis Laboratory record keeping Spray guns (painting, coating and spraying tool) Office record organization Full Job Description Position Overview The Color Matching Specialist will be responsible for developing, adjusting, and matching wood stains, paints, dyes, and other finishing colors . This is a hands-on position requiring a strong understanding of how color interacts with different wood species, substrates, application methods, and finish systems. The ideal candidate has a trained eye for color, practical experience with wood finishing, and the ability to methodically adjust formulas until the desired color and appearance are achieved. Key Responsibilities Develop and match custom stain and paint colors based on customer samples, specifications, or target colors. Analyze existing samples and determine the appropriate pigments, dyes, stains, toners, and finish products needed to reproduce the color. Mix and adjust colors accurately while maintaining detailed formulas and records. Understand how different wood species affect stain and color appearance, including walnut, oak, maple, cherry, white oak, rift/quarter-sawn lumber, veneer, and other substrates. Create color samples and finish boards for customer approval. Evaluate color under different lighting conditions and identify differences in hue, value, saturation, undertone, and sheen. Adjust formulas to achieve consistent color from sample to sample and batch to batch. Work with production and technical teams to ensure approved colors can be reproduced consistently in larger quantities. Troubleshoot color discrepancies and determine the cause of variations related to wood species, preparation, application, products, or environmental conditions. Maintain accurate records of formulas, materials, ratios, application methods, and approved samples. Follow established procedures for handling pigments, stains, paints, solvents, and other finishing materials. Assist customers and internal teams with technical questions regarding color, stain selection, application, and finishing systems. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe color-mixing and finishing area.

Qualifications Required:

5+ years of experience in wood finishing and color matching. Experience developing custom stain formulas. Demonstrated ability to accurately match colors by eye. Strong understanding of color mixing and pigment behavior. Experience working with different wood species and understanding how the substrate affects final color. Strong attention to detail and consistency. Good organizational and record-keeping skills. Ability to work independently and troubleshoot problems methodically. Experience with professional spray finishing systems. Knowledge of toners, dyes, sealers, topcoats, glazes, and other wood-finishing products. What We're Looking For The right person is not simply a paint mixer . We are looking for someone who understands the relationship between the color formula, wood species, surface preparation, application technique, and final clear coat . You should be comfortable looking at a target sample, identifying what is different about the color, making a controlled adjustment, producing another sample, and repeating the process until the desired result is achieved.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief description of your experience with color matching, wood finishing, stains, paints and coatings.

Pay:

$35.00 - $55.00 per hour Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Work Location:

In person