Paint Specialist/Supervisor

Manac Trailers USA•Oran, MO

About The Position

The Paint Specialist/Supervisor oversees daily paint production activities, including rework and offline trailers, and coordinates with painters, Wheelabrator operators, and sandblaster operators to support material flow and assembly line schedules. The role maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes paint system equipment, manages paint kitchen operations and supplies, and coordinates preventive maintenance and system audits. The position leads 5S and visual management practices in paint booths and related work areas. It provides training and technical guidance to painters, administers applicant paint skills assessments, and serves as the primary liaison with PPG and other paint system vendors. The role diagnoses coating and quality concerns, adjusts blends and system settings as needed, and optimizes processes for efficiency and consistent coating quality while maintaining compliance with environmental, hazardous-material, and workplace safety requirements.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing paint environment.
Extensive knowledge of Graco ProMix 2K and 2KS paint mixing systems.
Strong mathematical aptitude, including the ability to calculate and apply fractions, ratios, mixing percentages, and material usage requirements.
Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot paint system error codes.
Strong understanding of paint mixing ratios, viscosity requirements, coating thickness standards, and paint chemistry.
Knowledge of chemical and solvent blend adjustments.
Experience troubleshooting coating application, formulation, and quality issues.
Knowledge of quality control methods for color matching, gloss measurement, film thickness, adhesion, and surface quality analysis.
Understanding of paint process optimization and equipment performance improvement techniques.
Working knowledge of environmental and safety compliance requirements, including OSHA, hazardous materials handling (HazMat), and applicable DNR regulations.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Self-motivation and demonstrated ability to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and training skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Consistent and reliable attendance.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily paint production activities, including rework and offline trailers.
Coordinate with painters, Wheelabrator operators, and sandblaster operators to maintain material flow and support assembly line production schedules.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize paint system equipment.
Lead and maintain 5S standards in paint booths and related work areas.
Develop and maintain visual management controls throughout the paint department.
Manage paint kitchen operations, including paint preparation, mixing, and inventory control.
Monitor and maintain inventory levels of paint and paint-related supplies.
Coordinate and perform preventive maintenance on paint equipment and associated components.
Conduct paint system audits to check compliance with quality and operational standards.
Serve as the primary liaison with PPG and other paint system vendors.
Train, coach, and provide technical guidance to new and existing painters.
Administer paint skills assessments and practical paint tests for applicants.
Troubleshoot coating application, paint formulation, and coating quality issues.
Analyze paint defects and quality issues, including color match accuracy, film thickness, gloss, and surface finish.
Adjust chemical and solvent blends based on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
Optimize paint processes and equipment to improve efficiency, gloss consistency, overspray, and coating quality.
Coordinate painter assignments and workflow to maximize productivity and maintain production schedules.
Adjust paint fill volumes and system settings according to line lengths and production requirements.
Ensure compliance with environmental, hazardous-material, and workplace safety regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned.