Job Title – Senior Hands-On Finishing Supervisor

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Senior Finishing Supervisor to oversee and actively manage finishing works across building construction projects. The role requires a technically skilled professional who can lead finishing teams while remaining directly involved in on-site execution, quality inspections, defect rectification, and final handover activities.

The successful candidate will have extensive practical experience in building finishes, including plastering, tiling, painting, screeding, waterproofing, gypsum works, ceilings, flooring, doors, windows, and other architectural finishing activities. The individual must be capable of managing artisans and subcontractors, maintaining high workmanship standards, coordinating materials and labour, and ensuring projects are completed according to approved drawings, specifications, quality standards, and schedules.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Finishing & Site Execution

• Directly supervise and participate in day-to-day finishing activities to ensure work is executed correctly and efficiently.
• Oversee plastering, rendering, screeding, tiling, grouting, painting, waterproofing, flooring, gypsum ceilings, partitioning, and other finishing works.
• Supervise the installation of doors, windows, skirting, sanitary fixtures, joinery, and architectural finishing components.
• Inspect surfaces and substrates before finishing work begins to ensure they are properly prepared and ready for subsequent activities.
• Guide artisans on correct application methods, material preparation, alignment, levelling, jointing, finishing techniques, and workmanship.
• Demonstrate practical finishing techniques and resolve on-site execution issues to maintain the required quality.
• Ensure finishes are consistent, clean, durable, and compliant with approved samples and project specifications.
• Monitor work sequences and coordinate finishing activities to prevent damage to completed areas and avoid unnecessary rework.

Quality Control & Workmanship Standards

• Conduct regular site inspections to verify that finishing works meet approved drawings, specifications, method statements, and quality requirements.
• Check wall and floor alignment, plaster thickness, surface smoothness, tile levels, grout joints, paint coverage, ceiling levels, and other relevant finish details.
• Identify defects, poor workmanship, uneven surfaces, cracks, hollow tiles, paint imperfections, water seepage, and other finishing deficiencies.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly and completed work is re-inspected before approval.
• Coordinate inspections with site engineers, consultants, quality teams, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure the correct use of approved materials, colours, finishes, fixtures, and installation methods.
• Maintain inspection records, quality checklists, and defect registers.
• Prevent repeated defects through practical guidance, workmanship checks, and close supervision of finishing teams.

Team Supervision & Labour Management

• Supervise and coordinate masons, plasterers, tilers, painters, carpenters, gypsum installers, waterproofing workers, and other finishing trades.
• Allocate daily tasks based on project priorities, manpower availability, work fronts, and completion schedules.
• Monitor workforce productivity, attendance, workmanship, discipline, and adherence to site instructions.
• Provide hands-on guidance to artisans and ensure work is completed to the required standards without unnecessary supervision.
• Coordinate with subcontractors to ensure the availability of skilled labour and timely completion of assigned activities.
• Resolve day-to-day site issues and escalate technical or resource constraints to the site management team.
• Ensure adequate coordination between finishing trades to avoid clashes, delays, and damage to completed work.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, productivity, and a strong focus on quality.

Work Planning & Project Coordination

• Review construction drawings, finishing schedules, specifications, and site instructions before commencing work.
• Plan daily and weekly finishing activities in coordination with the site engineer, construction manager, and project management team.
• Monitor progress against project schedules and ensure finishing milestones are achieved on time.
• Coordinate with civil, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other MEP teams to ensure areas are ready for finishing works.
• Verify that concealed services, waterproofing, substrates, and other preceding activities are inspected and approved before finishes are applied.
• Identify delays, access constraints, material shortages, and sequencing issues, and take timely corrective action.
• Ensure completed areas are protected against damage during subsequent construction activities.
• Maintain clear communication with site management regarding progress, outstanding works, manpower requirements, and potential risks.

Materials, Tools & Resource Management

• Identify material requirements for ongoing and upcoming finishing activities.
• Monitor the availability and consumption of cement, sand, adhesives, grout, paint, waterproofing products, tiles, gypsum boards, flooring materials, and other finishing supplies.
• Check delivered materials for quantity, quality, specifications, and visible damage before use.
• Ensure materials are stored, handled, mixed, and applied according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Minimize wastage, breakage, rework, and unnecessary consumption of materials.
• Coordinate with procurement and stores teams to ensure materials are available according to the work schedule.
• Monitor the proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, ladders, and other resources required for finishing activities.
• Report material shortages, defective supplies, and equipment issues promptly to site management.

Snagging, Defect Rectification & Handover

• Conduct pre-inspection checks to identify incomplete work and finishing defects before formal inspections.
• Prepare, maintain, and update snag lists for individual rooms, floors, buildings, and designated work areas.
• Coordinate with artisans and subcontractors to close snags within agreed timelines.
• Carry out final checks on paintwork, tiling, flooring, ceilings, doors, windows, fixtures, sealants, and other finishing elements.
• Ensure all defects are rectified and areas are cleaned and prepared for consultant inspections and client handover.
• Support final walkthroughs, inspection visits, and practical completion activities.
• Maintain records of completed works, outstanding items, and rectification status.
• Ensure completed areas meet the required presentation, quality, and readiness standards before handover.

Health, Safety & Site Discipline

• Ensure all finishing activities are carried out in accordance with site safety procedures and applicable occupational health and safety requirements.
• Ensure workers use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow safe working practices.
• Monitor safe use of ladders, scaffolding, cutting tools, power tools, and other finishing equipment.
• Maintain good housekeeping and ensure work areas are clean, organized, and free from unnecessary hazards.
• Ensure paints, adhesives, solvents, waterproofing products, and other materials are handled and stored safely.
• Report unsafe conditions, incidents, and near misses to the relevant site management personnel.
• Ensure completed finishes and installed components are adequately protected from damage during construction.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Prepare daily progress updates covering completed activities, workforce deployment, material consumption, and outstanding work.
• Maintain records of finishing inspections, defects, rework, material requirements, and handover status.
• Monitor productivity and identify opportunities to improve work quality and execution speed.
• Report delays, technical issues, material shortages, and subcontractor performance concerns to site management.
• Provide practical recommendations to reduce rework, improve finishing quality, and achieve project deadlines.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or relevant technical qualification in Civil Engineering, Building Construction, Construction Technology, or a related field is preferred.
• Typically 8–12 years of hands-on experience in building construction finishing works, with substantial experience in a senior supervisory or foreman role.
• Strong practical expertise in plastering, tiling, painting, screeding, waterproofing, flooring, gypsum works, ceilings, and architectural finishes.
• Proven experience supervising finishing activities on residential, commercial, hospitality, or other building construction projects.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, finishing layouts, specifications, and method statements.
• Demonstrated experience managing artisans, subcontractors, materials, quality inspections, snagging, and defect rectification.
• Strong understanding of finishing materials, application techniques, workmanship tolerances, and quality control procedures.
• Experience coordinating with civil and MEP teams to manage work sequencing and avoid rework.
• Familiarity with construction site safety practices and quality documentation.
• Ability to work directly on-site, demonstrate practical skills, and resolve finishing issues without relying solely on delegated supervision.
• Good communication, leadership, problem-solving, and time management skills.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Hands-on finishing execution and supervision
• Building construction and architectural finishes
• Plastering, tiling, painting, and waterproofing
• Flooring, gypsum ceilings, and partitioning
• Quality inspections and workmanship control
• Drawing interpretation and specification compliance
• Labour allocation and subcontractor coordination
• Material planning and wastage reduction
• Snagging, defect rectification, and handover
• Construction sequencing and progress monitoring
• Health, safety, and site housekeeping
• Practical troubleshooting and problem-solving
• Team leadership and productivity management
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality

What We Offer

• An opportunity to take a hands-on leadership role in building construction projects.
• The opportunity to lead finishing teams and maintain high standards of workmanship.
• A practical, site-focused role with direct involvement in execution, quality, and project delivery.
• An environment that values technical expertise, productivity, and quality construction.

Apply now!