Paint Line Manager

Description

Position Summary

The Paint Line Manager is responsible for directing and managing all aspects of the vertical wet paint line operation within an aluminum extrusion manufacturing facility. This position oversees production, quality, safety, environmental compliance, staffing, maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement activities associated with an electrostatic wet paint systems processing aluminum extrusions up to 20 feet in length.

The Paint Line Manager ensures all painted products meet customer specifications and company standards, including compliance with AAMA 2603 and AAMA 2604 performance requirements. The Paint Line Manager must possess strong leadership capabilities, technical expertise in industrial wet paint application systems, and experience within aluminum extrusion or metal finishing operations. This individual is responsible for ensuring operational efficiency, product quality, safety compliance, environmental compliance and team development within the paint department.

Requirements

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily operations of the vertical electrostatic wet paint line to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production.
• Coordinate paint line scheduling and manpower to meet production demands and customer delivery expectations.
• Manage paint line throughput for aluminum extrusions up to 20 feet in length while maintaining quality and operational efficiency.
• Monitor and improve key departmental metrics including productivity, scrap, rework, downtime, first-pass yield, and paint utilization.
• Ensure proper line setup, color change procedures, and material flow throughout the paint process.

Technical Paint Line Management

• Oversee all aspects of a vertical wet paint application processes, including:
  • Pretreatment systems
  • Electrostatic spray application
  • Paint mixing and viscosity control
  • Cure oven performance
  • Coating thickness consistency
  • Adhesion and finish quality
• Ensure proper operation and optimization of vertical paint line equipment, conveyors, spray booths, pumps, and curing systems.
• Troubleshoot coating defects such as runs, sags, dry spray, fisheyes, adhesion failures, and color inconsistencies.
• Work closely with paint vendors and suppliers regarding product performance, technical support, and process improvements.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure painted products consistently meet or exceed customer requirements and internal quality standards.
• Maintain departmental compliance with:
  • AAMA 2603 specifications
  • AAMA 2604 specifications
  • Internal coating performance standards
• Coordinate and support coating performance testing, including adhesion, gloss, film thickness, cure validation, and visual inspections.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering teams on audits, corrective actions, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain standardized operating procedures and process controls for paint operations.

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Promote and enforce a strong culture of safety throughout the department.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and EPA requirements to include paint and solvent use tracking for air compliance, hazardous waste management, wastewater processing/monitoring.
• Work closely with corporate Environmental, Health and Safety Director to ensure compliance with existing air and wastewater permits and hazardous waste regulations.
• Maintain proper chemical handling, storage, PPE usage, ventilation, and housekeeping standards.
• Conduct routine safety audits, training sessions, and incident investigations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, coach, and develop Paint Line Supervisors, Leads, and hourly production employees.
• Provide technical training related to wet paint application, equipment operation, quality standards, and safety procedures.
• Conduct employee evaluations and support accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the department.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Shipping, and Engineering teams.

Equipment & Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance activities for paint line equipment, including:
  • Pretreatment systems
  • Electrostatic spray equipment
  • Conveyor systems
  • Cure ovens
  • Pumps and fluid delivery systems
  • Environmental systems
• Partner with Maintenance to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability and operational performance.
• Assist in capital improvement projects, equipment upgrades, and process optimization efforts.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives within the paint department.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve transfer efficiency, minimize rework, and increase productivity.
• Utilize production data and KPIs to analyze trends and implement corrective action plans.
• Support plant-wide operational excellence initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing leadership experience in industrial wet paint, finishing, or coating operations.
• Previous experience with vertical electrostatic wet paint lines strongly preferred.
• Previous experience managing a hazardous waste large quantity generator preferred.
• Previous experience managing wastewater  treatment systems and compliance sampling requirements preferred.
• Experience within aluminum extrusion, architectural coatings, or metal finishing operations highly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Solvent-based paint systems
  • Electrostatic application equipment
  • Pretreatment processes
  • Cure oven operation
  • Coating thickness and adhesion requirements
  • AAMA 2603 and AAMA 2604 specifications
• Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing software systems.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, noise, moving equipment, paint fumes, and industrial chemicals.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a manufacturing environment around moving conveyors, vertical paint systems, cure ovens, industrial chemicals, and powered equipment. Proper PPE and adherence to all safety procedures are required at all times.