Separation By Design is seeking a Powder Coating Department Manager & Technician to lead and execute all powder coating operations from surface preparation through final cure and quality inspection.
This role is ideal for a hands-on professional who understands production flow, takes pride in craftsmanship, and can balance technical execution with department-level ownership. The successful candidate will manage daily powder coating operations, coordinate with internal teams and external customers, and ensure consistent quality, efficiency, and safety.
- Perform surface preparation including cleaning, sanding, and sandblasting to ensure proper powder adhesion.
- Apply powder coatings using electrostatic spray equipment, ensuring even coverage, proper thickness, and adherence to quality standards.
- Operate curing ovens and monitor cure times and temperatures to ensure optimal finish, durability, and compliance with specifications.
- Inspect finished products for defects and ensure all work meets internal and customer quality standards.
- Coordinate workflow with Facilities Managers, fabrication teams, and assembly personnel to ensure smooth product flow through the Powder Coating Department.
- Manage department inventory, including requesting purchase orders, labeling and storing incoming supplies, and maintaining FIFO inventory practices.
- Maintain accurate electronic and paper documentation for internal processes and external customer projects.
- Track work orders, time sheets, and job flow into and out of the Powder Coating Department.
- Schedule and manage external customer projects, including quoting, pricing, and maintaining strong customer relationships.
- Perform routine equipment maintenance and troubleshooting while following preventative maintenance procedures.
- Present weekly safety briefings as provided and maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
- Supervise additional personnel as assigned, managing workloads and ensuring productivity and accountability.
- Strong attention to detail with a focus on quality, consistency, and finish standards.
- Ability to manage multiple jobs, priorities, and personnel simultaneously.
- Strong communication skills across email, phone, and face-to-face interactions with internal teams and external customers.
- Ability to accurately record materials, labor, and time for invoicing and job tracking.
- Comfortable requesting quotes and coordinating with vendors and manufacturers.
- Physically capable of working in environments that may be hot, dusty, or loud.
- Hands-on leader with a strong sense of ownership over department performance.
- Organized, dependable, and process-driven.
- Customer-focused with the ability to balance internal production needs and external deadlines.
- Mechanically inclined and proactive in equipment upkeep.
- Safety-minded and committed to maintaining a professional work environment.
- Experience managing inventory, work orders, or production workflows is a plus.
- Comfort working with basic digital documentation and time-tracking systems.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Manually lifting up to 20 pounds.
- Capable of standing/walking more than 85% of work time.
We are proud to offer the following to our employees
- Fair and competitive pay.
- Annual reviews with opportunities for pay increases. Additional opportunities throughout the year for pay increases based on performance and other factors.
- Excellent benefits- including health insurance and IRA with match + additional company contribution independent of employee contribution.
- Paid holidays.
- PTO (personal/vacation/sick days).
- Good work balance.
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
