Paint Specialist/Supervisor

Manac Trailers USA Inc•Oran, MO

About The Position

The Paint Specialist/Supervisor oversees daily paint production activities, including rework and offline trailers, and coordinates painters and paint-system operators to support continuous material flow and assembly line schedules. The role maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes paint equipment; manages paint preparation, mixing, inventory, preventive maintenance, audits, visual management, and 5S practices; and serves as the primary liaison with PPG and other paint-system vendors. The position provides training and technical guidance to painters, assesses applicants' paint skills, troubleshoots coating application and formulation problems, and analyzes coating defects involving color match, film thickness, gloss, and surface finish. It adjusts chemical and solvent blends for environmental conditions, improves process and equipment performance, coordinates painter assignments and workflow, and adjusts paint fill volumes and system settings to meet production requirements. The role also ensures compliance with environmental, hazardous-material, and workplace safety requirements and performs other duties as assigned.

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 calculating and applying 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 related to color matching, gloss measurement, film thickness, adhesion, and surface quality analysis.
Understanding of paint process optimization techniques and equipment performance improvements.
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-motivated, with the 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 inventory levels of paint and related supplies.
Coordinate and perform preventive maintenance on paint equipment and associated components.
Conduct paint system audits for quality and operational compliance.
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 factors 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.