Powder Coat Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Powder Coat Supervisor is responsible for the daily operation of the powder coat and finishing line at MPE’s Milwaukee, WI facility, including pre-treatment, masking and racking, powder application, curing, post-processing, touch-up, and silkscreen operations. This hands-on role directly supervises Area Leads and operators (15+ direct labor) and ensures that safety, quality, delivery, and productivity targets are met every shift. The Powder Coat Supervisor assigns work and sequences the line schedule with Master Scheduling, enforces process parameters, inspection requirements, and safe work practices on the floor, and trains and coaches team members on finishing processes and equipment. The role troubleshoots finish quality and equipment issues to keep the line running in a low-volume, high-mix environment supporting electromechanical medical device assemblies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Supervise daily powder coat and finishing line operations, including pre-treatment, masking, racking, powder application, curing, post-processing, touch-up, and silkscreen, to meet shift safety, quality, delivery, and productivity targets.
• Directly supervise Area Leads and operators; lead daily start-of-shift huddles at the line to review safety, priorities, and quality issues, and escalate constraints that cannot be resolved on the floor.
• Assign shop orders and operator tasks based on the production schedule; sequence work to minimize color changes and line downtime, and coordinate schedule changes with Master Scheduling and the Plant Manager.
• Manage shift staffing, attendance, timekeeping, and overtime; provide day-to-day performance feedback and partner with Human Resources on employee relations and corrective actions.
• Train, coach, and cross-train leads and operators on safety protocols, work instructions, ERP transactions, equipment operation, and finish inspection methods; ensure training records are current.
• Ensure process-monitoring checks are completed at required intervals, including pre-treatment chemistry and titration, oven cure temperatures and profiles, and booth and gun settings; document corrective actions for near-limit or out-of-limit conditions.
• Ensure in-process and final finish inspections (e.g., film thickness, adhesion, gloss, color match, and appearance) are performed and recorded per specification; segregate suspect product and work with Quality on disposition.
• Initiate and address nonconformance reports (NCRs) in a timely manner, including rework processing and root cause investigation with Quality and Engineering to prevent recurrence.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs with Maintenance, and ensure operators complete daily equipment checks, booth and filter cleaning, and housekeeping.
• Enforce safe work practices for powder coating operations, including PPE, lockout/tagout, combustible dust housekeeping, chemical handling, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements; report and investigate incidents and near misses.
• Track and report daily line metrics (safety, quality, output, and on-time delivery) and communicate results and issues to the Plant Manager.
• Monitor inventory of powders, pre-treatment chemicals, hooks, plugs, masking materials, and department consumables, partnering with Purchasing to prevent shortages.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement activities (5S, Kaizen, standard work) in the paint line and silkscreen areas to reduce waste, rework, and changeover time.
• Support Engineering, Quality, and Program Management on new part introductions, first article runs, and finish specification requirements.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate degree or technical certificate in manufacturing, industrial technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered

Experience and/or Training

• 3+ years of hands-on powder coating or industrial finishing experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role directing direct labor employees, preferably in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of powder coating processes, including pre-treatment chemistry and titration, application equipment, cure cycles, finish quality standards, and troubleshooting of finish defects.
• Experience executing production schedules and tracking work orders, materials, and inventory in an ERP system.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, finish specifications, product routings, bills of materials, and work instructions.
• Proficient with hand tools, power tools, and finish inspection and measurement instruments such as film thickness gauges.
• Knowledge of OSHA safety requirements for finishing operations, including combustible dust, chemical handling, PPE, and lockout/tagout.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 Quality System requirements; knowledge of FDA regulations preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with clear verbal and written communication.
• Experience with lean manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen); Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt preferred.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Frequent prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing stairs; frequent use of hands to handle, touch, or operate objects, tools, and controls; occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Vision sufficient to review data and inspect finish quality, with accurate color perception required.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including respiratory protection where required.
• Ability to hear, read, count, and perform basic math with strong comprehension and communication skills.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to give and receive instructions and feedback in a positive, constructive manner.
• Resilience, flexibility, and adaptability in a dynamic production setting, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.

Work Environment

• Production floor environment in the powder coat and finishing area; noise level is moderate to loud.
• Production area is not temperature controlled and may be hot or cold depending on weather, with elevated heat near cure ovens.
• Regular exposure to powder coating materials, pre-treatment chemicals, and airborne powder; required PPE is provided.