Lamination Manager

• Manage daily mold flow through Gelcoat, Lamination, Foaming, Pulling, and Grinding.
• Coordinate with upstream teams (mold prep, engineering) and downstream teams (assembly, finishing) to ensure seamless production.
• Ensure daily and weekly production schedules are met while adapting to changing priorities.

Technical Oversight

• Serve as thesubject‑matterexpert for gelcoat, chop gun operation,resin‑to‑glassratios, catalyst adjustments, cure times, and release systems.
• Troubleshoot equipment and material issues quickly and accurately.
• Oversee proper PMs on all lamination equipment tomaintainuptime and performance.

Quality Assurance

• Partner with Quality Control to uphold lamination standards andeliminatevoids,alligatoring, thin spots, cosmetic defects, or structural inconsistencies.
• Monitorfirst‑passyield, rework, thickness variation, and other key quality metrics.
• Participate inroot‑causeanalysis and drive corrective actions.

Team Leadership & Training

• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, leads, andlaminationtechnicians.
• Ensure all employees areproperly trainedonsafety protocols, lamination techniques, and equipment operation.
• Promote a positive, collaborative, andhigh‑accountabilityteam environment.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce strict PPE usage, including respirators, gloves, and eye protection.
• Maintain asafety‑firstculture with daily communication, audits, andfollow‑up.
• Ensure compliance with hazardous materials handling and environmental standards.

Materials Management

• Monitor and manage inventory levels of resin, gelcoat, glass, catalysts, release agents, solvents, and other consumables.
• Ensureaccurateusage tracking and minimize waste.

Continuous Improvement

• Work directly with Manufacturing Engineering to improve processes, mold flow, cycle times, and department layout.
• Recommend and implement improvements to tooling, equipment, and lamination schedules.
• Support companywide lean initiatives and standard work development.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of supervisory/managementexperience specifically in fiberglass/composite manufacturing. 
• Strong technical knowledge of gelcoat, chop guns, handlay‑up, andcomposite‑curingdynamics.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in afast‑pacedproduction environment.
• Strong communicationskills with the ability to provide clear direction and feedback. 
• Ability to troubleshoot chemical, equipment, andprocess‑relatedissues.
• Comfortable working onsite in anon‑climate‑controlledproduction environment.
• Experience coordinatingcross‑functionalwork with Engineering, QC, Design, and Assembly teams.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, Ideally in Industrial Technology, Composites/Materials Science, MarineTechnology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.

Working Conditions: 

• Work primarily on the manufacturing floor in a hot, humid,non‑climate‑controlledenvironment.

• Frequent standing, bending, reaching, climbing on/around molds, and navigating tight spaces. 
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50lbsoccasionally.
• Daily use of PPE, includingrespirators, gloves, safety glasses, andchemical‑resistantgear.

Physical Requirements:

• Work inanoffice environment, but also support production floor duringnew product development 

Occasional Activities:

• Using hands for handling or feeling
• Reaching with hands and arms
• Climbing or balancing
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Lifting: Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Benefit Offerings

This position is eligible to participate in Dougherty Manufacturing’s comprehensive benefits offerings, including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, and 401k. 

Why Dougherty Manufacturing:

Whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll be at the leading edge.  As the clear leader in the marine industry, we're committed to our values and supporting our exceptional people. 

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