Coating Manager

Guhring USA; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Guhring USA in Milwaukee seeks a capable Operations Lead to oversee the daily manufacturing operations of the Coating Division, driving monthly output, quality, efficiency, and on‑time delivery. You will manage budgets, continuous improvement, and profitability while ensuring safe, compliant production.

Under the Director of Operations, you will schedule jobs, coordinate with external vendors and Germany, train staff, monitor materials, and implement cost-saving processes.

Responsibilities

• Determine appropriate schedule for jobs to run during shifts.
• Make decisions to maintain efficient workflow and productivity.
• Coordinate production activities and vendors; prioritize to avoid delays.
• Educate employees on production time and waste costs.
• Produce daily production reports and track open orders.
• Report issues to upper management and frontline leads.
• Monitor supplies and consumables to meet demand.
• Reduce scrap using root-cause analysis (5 Why).
• Maintain quality and productivity standards.
• Review daily reports and communicate improvements and actions.
• Ensure safe, clean, professional work area.
• Establish safety rules and restricted areas for machinery.
• Coordinate training and maintain records.
• Provide technical support as needed.
• Prepare and conduct employee performance reviews.
• Maintain positive employee relations and open communication.
• Enforce policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Germany coating department to implement procedures.
• Approve vacations and assist in scheduling.
• Plan preventive maintenance; order parts and recommend improvements.
• Collaborate with Germany to standardize procedures.
• Recommend and implement cost-saving production improvements.
• Maintain contacts in Germany for technical support.
• Support the division and remote plants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job description

Job Requirements: Summary of Position

Under the direction of the Director of Operations, provide leadership and manage the daily manufacturing operations of the Coating Division to achieve established goals for monthly output, quality, and efficiency, on‑time delivery, customer support, and continuous improvement of processes, budget, and profitability.

Principal Responsibilities

• Determine appropriate schedule for jobs to run during shifts.
• Make necessary decisions to maintain efficient workflow and productivity.
• Coordinate production activities or outside vendors; prioritize and adjust to avoid manufacturing delays.
• Educate employees about the importance of time and the costs associated with waste, machine downtime, and excessive start‑up or setup delays.
• Generate a daily production report that reflects all activity and the status of all open orders.
• Communicate with upper management, supervisors, and lead workers regarding problems/concerns.
• Monitor supplies and consumable purchases to meet job order and inventory demands on a regular basis.
• Develop and administer methods to reduce scrap; apply the "5 why" procedure to determine and document corrective actions.
• Maintain company standards for quality and productivity.
• Review daily reports and communicate efficiencies and corrective actions to employees as needed.
• Maintain safe working conditions and a clean work area for a professional image.
• Establish work rules and area restrictions to promote safe machinery operation and material handling.
• Coordinate, monitor, and document training of new employees; maintain records and evaluate ongoing training needs.
• Provide technical support as needed.
• Prepare employee performance evaluations; conduct formal reviews and recommend salary adjustments.
• Develop and maintain positive employee relations and ensure open lines of communication.
• Enforce company policies and procedures.
• Coordinate, manage, and implement procedures from the Germany coating department.
• Approve vacation schedules and other employee time‑off requests and assist in developing work schedules.
• Determine schedule for preventive maintenance; order replacement parts and recommend major purchases and capital improvement projects.
• Work with Germany to standardize procedures.
• Recommend and implement new procedures to improve production and/or quality, reducing manufacturing costs.
• Maintain contacts in Germany for technical support as needed.
• Support the division and remote plants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.