“Working at GFS has allowed — and encouraged — me the flexibility of having a life outside of work, coach my kids in multiple sports, as well as being able to grow as a leader and a person.”
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Global Finishing Solutions® (GFS) is continuously in search of talented, ambitious individuals to join our team. We aim to provide our employees with every opportunity to make an impact on the company and find their niche along the way — whether in a production, field services or office position.
GFS’ greatest strength — and the reason we have been successful — is the contributions of our employees. This is especially true for a company of our culture and size. Although a large, growing business, with more than 300 employees, our heart remains rooted in small-town, homegrown values.
GFS takes pride in offering a comprehensive benefits package to our employees and their families. In an age of rising healthcare costs, our goal is to provide you with quality, affordable healthcare coverage.
Our core values define GFS’ company culture and guide every aspect of our business. A low turnover rate — with many of our employees staying with GFS through retirement — is a testament to the culture we have built and live by.
We are focused on our family of exceptional employees. With a people-first approach and limitless opportunities, our employees have every chance to flourish.
Never forgetting that business decisions impact people’s lives, we infuse fairness and professionalism into all that we do.
Side by side, striving for common goals, we align with people who share our core values and exceed our expertise.
With keen eyes and vast resources, we constantly think ahead to be better and go farther for long-term success.
We abide by unwavering standards of ethics and walk-the-talk principles. Our corporate culture is so steeped in character, it holds up even when the lights are off.
Located in the heart of Western Wisconsin, GFS’ headquarters in Osseo is 30 minutes from Eau Claire and two hours from Madison and the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Our employees live in many of the surrounding cities and towns of varying population sizes — perfect for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of major metropolitan areas while still taking part in major events.
GFS employees are actively involved in our community, participating in events and fundraisers for local causes. We strongly believe in giving back to the community that continues to support us.
“Working at GFS has allowed — and encouraged — me the flexibility of having a life outside of work, coach my kids in multiple sports, as well as being able to grow as a leader and a person.”
When I started at GFS more than 10 years ago, I worked with my boss at the time to kick off a lead management program. He not only encouraged the growth of the company and our department, but also encouraged my own growth and success. I really enjoyed the marketing aspect of my job, and GFS recognized that, so they sent me back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in marketing. Along with my background in sales, it gave me an opportunity to move into the marketing department as the marketing sales coordinator.
GFS was flexible with my schedule when I went back to school, and they also helped pay for my education. They truly value growth and continuous improvement. Outside of schooling, GFS has encouraged me to participate in industry network events, such as the Manufacturers Alliance, to learn how others in the industry grow and improve. Currently, as the marketing manager, I continue to embrace the value of improvement and encourage my team the same way. Whether that’s self-education, conferences, industry trade shows, or going back to school.
“Improvement is understanding that failure is often an integral part of advancement and success when implementing process. changes. Failure leads us to a deeper understanding of what’s going to work and what’s not going to work. Setting lofty goals that are hard to achieve can generate unexpected outcomes. If you’re not failing sometimes, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough to succeed and find those improvements.
“It’s human nature to have aversion to change. We all get comfortable in the day-to-day luxury of our thought process and the repetition of it. To get everyone to think outside of that comfort box, they need to be involved in the improvement process. Everyone needs to have a voice and be heard, and to feel like they’re not being spurned by the changes that are being made. Their thoughts and ideas for improvement are welcomed with open arms.
“Improvement means going above and beyond your typical workload. It is going to take extra hours, but that extra effort should eventually pay off, as the short-term sacrifices are going to be worth those long-term improvements and gains. And improvement must be a team effort. Wherever we want to go and whatever we want to do, we need each other to make it happen.
“When you have a heavy focus on improvement, you start to realize that it’s a never-ending process. Sometimes, you get caught up in, ‘What’s the next improvement we need to make? What’s the next step we have to take?’ But you also need to take the time to celebrate your wins and accomplishments.”
The supportive leadership I have had during my time at GFS has helped me grow as an individual and think outside the box, as well as given me the confidence to be comfortable in any situation. Being on the sales team can often be a delicate balance, but I see our team making the right decisions daily that reflect integrity and honesty — both for GFS and our customers. When I make purchases for myself, I look for the same traits that we practice every day at GFS. I’m honored to be a part of a team that truly cares about the customer and the products we provide.
I have found that honesty is the best policy and the best way to maintain accountability and trust. Even if difficult or awkward tasks arise, in my experience, honesty and directness build healthy working relationships. Everything falls together with ease. I always strive to have the right mindset, keep that honesty and honor our customers’ requirements, all while keeping the company’s best interest at heart. I am excited to come to work every day, to see what the day will bring and how I can use my skills to help us be successful. Integrity is a very important trait in my personal life, so it’s no wonder that I feel right at home at a company that also honors it.
Before Terry Rue and Al Swett joined GFS in 1990 and 2003, they served as volunteers for the Osseo Rural Fire Department. In a rural community like Osseo, Wisconsin, individuals who are sent to an emergency scene are not paid for their time. The local fire department consists of volunteers with full-time jobs who sacrifice their time, safety and pay to help those in a crisis.
Fortunately, GFS employees do not have to decide between responding to an emergency call and having a career. From the manufacturing floor, where you can find Al and firefighter-in-training Cory Lange, to the office, where Terry works in design, all enjoy the positive role GFS plays in allowing them to balance their day job and volunteer firefighting efforts.
“There has never been a time we have been told we can’t leave or respond to an emergency call,” Terry said. “Many companies won’t let their employees leave until they have been paged multiple times by the fire department, but at GFS, we can take off as soon as we are needed.”
I’ve been with GFS for 14 years. I started at GFS’ facility in Mexico and worked there for six years. When we got notified that the Mexico facility was shutting down, they offered jobs for both me and my husband at GFS’ headquarters in Osseo, Wisconsin. At that time, crime was starting to get really bad in Mexico, so my husband and I took the opportunity for our family and careers. We knew that our girls would grow up in a safe environment in Osseo. We also knew that GFS is a good company, and we liked the people. I knew most of the people in Osseo because I worked with them on a daily basis as the production scheduler for our automotive refinish business unit.
The job I took was in the industrial sales department. It was a change, learning to use our system in a different way and selling a different product line. They were really patient with me, and treated me with respect, explaining new things to me as many times as needed. The team is great, and I love working with them. My transition was really smooth, and my daughters adjusted really quickly because they were so young.
Looking for a career opportunity that leads you in new and exciting directions? GFS has a wide range of job openings for you!
GFS does not accept unsolicited applications. Please check our list of job openings and apply online. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources at 800-848-8738 or [email protected].
GFS has taken measures to ensure our online job application system is accessible to individuals with disabilities and to disabled veterans. If you have questions or need special accommodations during the online application process due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at 800-848-8738 or [email protected].
Disabled persons may also apply by mail or in person at GFS. For more information or to receive assistance when applying in person, please contact Human Resources.
Applicants to and employees of this company are protected under federal law from discrimination on several bases.
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