Damian Cronin Ltd is an established specialist joinery manufacturer and shopfitting contractor, producing high-quality bespoke furniture, displays and architectural joinery for prestigious retail, leisure, museum and commercial projects throughout the UK and internationally.
We are looking to recruit a Spray Shop Operative to join our manufacturing team. The role will involve a combination of traditional hand spraying, polishing and finishing, together with operating and supporting our automated spray line.
The Role
The successful applicant will help prepare, spray and finish a wide range of bespoke joinery products, furniture components, panels and fitted interiors.
The position will suit an experienced sprayer or polisher, although applications will also be considered from candidates with relevant manufacturing, finishing or spray-line experience who are willing to develop their skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Preparing timber, MDF, veneered panels and other joinery components for finishing.
- Sanding, filling, sealing and cleaning components before spraying.
- Applying primers, basecoats, topcoats, lacquers, stains and specialist finishes using hand-spraying equipment.
- Carrying out traditional polishing and finishing work to achieve the required colour, sheen and appearance.
- Mixing paints, lacquers, hardeners, thinners and other coatings in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and job specifications.
- Setting up, operating and monitoring the automated spray-line equipment.
- Loading and unloading components from the spray line safely and efficiently.
- Adjusting spray-line settings to suit different materials, products and finishes, following appropriate training and authorised procedures.
- Inspecting finished components for colour consistency, coverage, surface quality and defects.
- Rectifying minor imperfections through sanding, polishing, touching-up or respraying.
- Reading and following production drawings, finishing schedules, job sheets, colour specifications and sample approvals.
- Ensuring completed products meet the company’s quality standards before being released to the next stage of production.
- Cleaning spray guns, pumps, lines, filters, booths and associated equipment.
- Carrying out routine operator checks and basic preventative maintenance on spray-shop equipment.
- Reporting equipment faults, defects, damage or maintenance requirements promptly.
- Maintaining a clean, organised and safe spray-shop environment.
- Handling, storing and disposing of paints, solvents, contaminated materials and other substances in accordance with company procedures.
- Working closely with bench joiners, CNC operators, production management and the quality team.
- Assisting with general spray-shop and workshop duties when required.
Procedures, Quality and Compliance
The Spray Shop Operative will be expected to:
- Follow all relevant company standard operating procedures, safe systems of work and work instructions.
- Follow approved spraying, polishing, mixing, preparation and cleaning procedures.
- Comply with job-specific production instructions, finishing specifications and approved samples.
- Follow risk assessments, COSHH assessments and manufacturers’ safety data sheets.
- Use paints, lacquers, solvents and other hazardous substances only in accordance with the approved procedures.
- Wear and correctly maintain all required personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment.
- Follow face-fit requirements and report any issue that could affect the effectiveness of respiratory protective equipment.
- Use local exhaust ventilation, spray booths and other control measures correctly.
- Complete all required production, quality, inspection, mixing and maintenance records accurately.
- Record paint and coating batch details where required to maintain product traceability.
- Carry out and record quality checks at the appropriate stages of production.
- Identify and report non-conforming materials, components or finishes.
- Isolate defective work where necessary and follow the company’s non-conformance procedures.
- Follow approved processes for rework, touch-ups and corrective actions.
- Assist with maintaining the company’s ISO 9001 quality-management requirements.
- Follow company environmental procedures relating to waste segregation, emissions, spill control and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Report spills, near misses, accidents, unsafe conditions and environmental incidents immediately.
- Participate in toolbox talks, training, audits, inspections and continuous-improvement activities.
- Ensure that only authorised and trained personnel operate specialist spray-shop machinery.
- Follow company procedures relating to fire safety, particularly when handling flammable paints, solvents and contaminated materials.
- Suggest practical improvements to spray-shop quality, efficiency, housekeeping and safety.
Skills and Experience
Experience in one or more of the following areas would be beneficial:
- Furniture, joinery or kitchen spraying.
- Traditional French polishing or furniture polishing.
- Timber staining and colour matching.
- Applying paints, lacquers and specialist coatings.
- Air-assisted, airless or conventional spray equipment.
- Automated spray-line or finishing machinery.
- Sanding and preparing timber, MDF and veneered products.
- Manufacturing, furniture production or shopfitting.
The successful applicant should:
- Have a strong eye for detail and take pride in producing a high-quality finish.
- Be able to follow written procedures, technical instructions and verbal directions.
- Understand the importance of correct preparation before finishing.
- Be able to complete production and quality records accurately.
- Be reliable, punctual and able to work as part of a production team.
- Be comfortable working to production deadlines without compromising quality or safety.
- Be willing to learn how to operate and maintain automated spray-line equipment.
- Have a good understanding of workshop health and safety.
- Be able to undertake manual handling and remain standing for extended periods.
- Be willing and able to wear face-fit-tested respiratory protective equipment where required.
- Be willing to undertake further training as required.
Training can be provided for the automated spray line and company-specific processes.
Desirable Qualifications
The following would be advantageous but are not essential:
- Relevant furniture finishing, painting, decorating or manufacturing qualification.
- Previous COSHH training.
- Experience using respiratory protective equipment.
- Manual handling training.
- Experience working within an ISO 9001 quality-management environment.
- Previous experience following formal standard operating procedures and quality-control processes.
Working Hours
Full-time hours, Monday to Friday 8.00 - 4.30
Additional hours or overtime may occasionally be required to meet project deadlines.
What We Offer
- Permanent employment with an established specialist joinery manufacturer.
- Competitive rate of pay, dependent upon experience.
- Training in automated spray-line operation and company finishing processes.
- The opportunity to work on varied, bespoke and high-profile projects.
- A supportive and experienced manufacturing team.
- Workplace pension and other company benefits.
- Opportunities to develop additional spraying, polishing and production skills.
Pay: £12.71-£14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee stock ownership plan
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
