Coating and Paint Manager

FabLogix • Duncan, SC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

FabLogix, part of Kelso Industries, is seeking an experienced, hands-on Coating and Paint Manager to oversee all work that passes through its blast, prime, and paint operations. The manager leads the coating team and serves as the company’s expert on surface preparation, coating systems, and paint specifications. The role ensures parts are prepared, coated, and cured to specification; jobs are estimated and scheduled accurately; and finished work leaves the shop on time and within target cost. The manager works closely with Production, Estimating, Purchasing, Quality, and Project Managers. Performance is reviewed monthly against department KPIs and formally during the annual review, with targets established against a 90-day baseline after hire.

FabLogix operates from a modern 150,000-square-foot facility and is part of Kelso Industries, which has more than 3,500 employees across 29 operating companies. The position is located in Duncan, South Carolina, reports to the Plant Manager, and is full-time and exempt. The work takes place in a shop environment with exposure to paint fumes, solvents, dust, abrasive media, noise, and seasonal temperatures. Occasional overtime or early starts may be needed to meet ship dates and project requirements.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience in industrial coating or painting, including at least 3 years supervising a paint or blast crew.
• Hands-on knowledge of abrasive blasting, liquid spray application (conventional, HVLP, airless, and air-assisted airless), and curing processes.
• Ability to take off quantities from drawings and estimate coating jobs using linear feet and square footage, including paint and abrasive quantities, labor hours, and costs.
• Ability to read blueprints, coating specifications, and product data sheets.
• Skill using DFT gauges, surface-profile gauges, wet-film gauges, and adhesion testers.
• Working knowledge of OSHA and environmental requirements for coating operations.
• Strong Excel skills and working knowledge of an ERP or production system.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb ladders regularly, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including a respirator, safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective clothing; respirator use requires medical clearance and a fit test.
• Normal color vision to judge color match and finish quality.

Nice To Haves

• AMPP (formerly NACE/SSPC) Coating Inspector certification, Level 1 or higher.
• SSPC C-7 abrasive blasting or C-12 spray application training or certification.
• Experience with powder coating, multi-coat epoxy and polyurethane systems, or galvanized and duplex coatings.
• Experience in structural steel, pipe, heavy equipment, or custom fabrication.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a technical or business field.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or 5S training.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule daily and weekly work in the blast and paint areas against production schedules and promised ship dates.
• Coordinate with Fabrication, Welding, Assembly, and Shipping so parts arrive ready for coating and leave on time.
• Set up and control surface preparation, cleaning, pretreatment, primer and topcoat application, cure times, and handling processes.
• Manage paint booths, blast rooms, spray equipment, ovens, compressors, and air systems, including preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Track labor, material use, and rework to keep the department within budget.
• Take off quantities from drawings and estimate coating jobs by linear feet and square footage.
• Calculate paint, primer, thinner, and abrasive quantities, labor hours, and costs for quotes and job budgets.
• Compare actual material and labor use with estimates and adjust estimating factors.
• Order and control coatings and consumables, managing inventory, shelf life, and batch records.
• Work with suppliers to qualify new coatings, resolve application problems, and negotiate pricing with Purchasing.
• Read and apply customer and engineering coating specifications, drawings, and product data sheets.
• Apply SSPC/AMPP surface-preparation standards and ASTM test methods as required by each job.
• Inspect and document surface profile, cleanliness, dry film thickness, adhesion, color, and gloss.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action for coating defects, customer complaints, and rework.
• Maintain inspection reports and batch/lot traceability for customer and audit review.
• Hire, train, schedule, and evaluate leads, painters, blasters, and prep staff; cross-train staff for coverage.
• Enforce OSHA requirements for spray finishing, respiratory protection, hazard communication, confined spaces, and PPE.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets, respirator fit-test and medical-clearance records, and department safety training.
• Keep operations within air permit limits, track VOC and HAP usage, and support environmental reporting.
• Manage storage, handling, and disposal of paint waste, solvents, and spent abrasive; maintain fire protection, ventilation, and booth filters.
• Write and maintain procedures for surface preparation, application, inspection, and equipment care.
• Identify and implement ways to reduce cycle time, rework, material waste, and cost per square foot.
• Manage performance against production, quality, cost, compliance, people, safety, and equipment-uptime KPIs.
• Set clear daily priorities, hold the team accountable to KPI targets, coach and develop employees, and promote safety, quality, housekeeping, and continuous improvement.
• Make timely decisions under pressure, resolve conflict fairly, build a cooperative team culture, and represent the department with managers, suppliers, and customers.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Company holidays.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and career-advancement pathways in an entrepreneurial environment with autonomy and flexibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED