Powder Coating Operations Manager

Morgan Jones Ltd; Stowting Common; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medicash healthcare scheme

BUPA insurance

Death-in-service cover

Company sick pay

Company pension

Employee discount scheme

Free on-site parking

Supportive, family-run working env

Job summary

Morgan Jones Ltd near Ashford, Kent, seeks an experienced Powder Coating Operations Manager to own the day-to-day running of the powder coating department. You will lead a team of around 12, ensure targets are met, maintain quality, and comply with health, safety and environmental requirements in a hands-on, commercially minded role.

Working with minimal senior oversight, you will manage people, processes and materials, drive productivity, reduce waste and continuously improve operations, while

Qualifications

• Hands-on leader with experience in powder coating.
• Experience managing a manufacturing team.
• Knowledge of chemical handling and stock control.
• Strong focus on safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of around 12, promoting a safe, productive environment.
• Oversee day-to-day powder coating plant operations and targets.
• Monitor performance and quality; implement improvements.
• Maintain finished work to meet customer specs and standards.
• Manage chemicals, raw materials and production consumables stock.
• Oversee waste management, including hazardous waste procedures.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, env and quality rules.
• Schedule staff rotas, attendance, performance and training.
• Drive continuous improvement to boost productivity and reduce waste.
• Keep equipment and working areas maintained to standards.
• Own departmental performance and escalate issues when needed.

Skills

Powder coating

Team leadership

Production planning

Health & safety

Job description

Are you an experienced powder coating professional ready to take ownership of a busy manufacturing operation? Powder Coating Operations Manager Location: Outskirts of Ashford, KentSalary: £40,000-£45,000 per annumHours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am-5:30pm, plus every other Saturday, 7:00am-11:00amContract: Temporary to Permanent The Opportunity Morgan Jones is recruiting a Powder Coating Operations Manager on behalf of a well-established manufacturing business near Ashford. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on, commercially minded leader to oversee a busy powder coating plant, manage a team of approximately 12 employees, and drive improvements in production efficiency, quality and operational performance.

The Role As Powder Coating Operations Manager, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running and performance of the powder coating department. You will lead from the front, ensuring production targets are achieved, quality standards are maintained, and health, safety and environmental requirements are met. Working with minimal senior management oversight, you will manage people, processes, materials and resources effectively, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste and maintain consistently high standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a team of approximately 12 employees, promoting a positive, productive and safety-conscious working environment.
• Oversee all day-to-day powder coating plant operations, ensuring production schedules and targets are achieved.
• Monitor production performance, quality and efficiency, implementing improvements where necessary.
• Maintain high standards of product quality, ensuring finished work meets customer specifications and required standards.
• Manage stock levels and the ordering of chemicals, raw materials and production consumables.
• Oversee waste management procedures, including the safe handling and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, environmental regulations and quality requirements.
• Manage staff rotas, attendance, performance, training and disciplinary matters as required.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.
• Ensure equipment, processes and working areas are maintained to appropriate operational and safety standards.
• Take full ownership of departmental performance, resolving operational challenges and escalating issues where appropriate.

What We're Looking For

• We're looking for a confident and organised operations leader who understands the demands of a busy manufacturing environment and can balance production requirements with quality, safety and people management.
• Previous management or supervisory experience within manufacturing, powder coating, spray painting, industrial finishing or a similar production environment.
• A strong understanding of powder coating processes and industrial plant operations, or transferable experience from a related industry.
• Experience managing a team, setting expectations and addressing performance issues effectively.
• Knowledge of chemical handling, stock control and production consumables.
• Experience overseeing waste management, including hazardous waste procedures and environmental compliance.
• A good understanding of quality control, production planning and continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• The ability to work independently, prioritise competing demands and take ownership of departmental results.
• A practical, hands-on approach with the leadership skills to motivate a team and maintain high operational standards.

What's on Offer?

• Medicash healthcare scheme
• BUPA insurance
• Death-in-service cover
• Company sick pay
• Company pension
• Employee discount scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Supportive, family-run working environment

Morgan Jones is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.