Production Supervisor - 3rd shift - Aerospace Coatings Manufacturing

Akzo Nobel; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary range: $75,000–$85,000

OT after 44 hours weekly

Retirement savings with 6% company/3%

Annual bonus up to 5%

Medical insurance with HSA

Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D

Generous vacation, sick and holiday

Short & Long term disability

Parental leave after 1 year

Career growth opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion networks

Employee referral bonus

Employee appreciation days

Job summary

AkzoNobel in Waukegan, IL is seeking a Production Lead for the 3rd shift to ensure efficient, safe production in accordance with quality standards. The role focuses on coaching, lean improvements, and strong communication across teams.

You will monitor processes, enforce safety and quality checks, and coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering and QA to maintain high performance and continuous improvement. Strong leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Read, comprehend and follow safety instructions.
• Lift and handle containers up to 75 lbs and move drums up to 900 lbs.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Work independently and multi-task with balanced priorities.
• Demonstrate safety leadership and presence.
• Able to climb stairs in steel-toed footwear.
• Able to work in hot and cold environments and inclement weather.
• Stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Operate a forklift safely following operating instructions.

Responsibilities

• Follow production planning and priorities.
• Enforce site safety rules and investigate incidents/near misses.
• Perform process quality checks per procedures.
• Allocate man hours appropriately.
• Communicate targets and status.
• Monitor installations and coordinate with Maintenance and Engineering.
• Resolve quality issues with QA and drive structural problem solving.
• Collaborate with Quality to ensure high quality products.
• Work with CI and Shift Supervisors to implement lean tools to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Support CI/ALPS projects and management initiatives.
• Coach Team Leaders for daily meetings and problem solving.

Skills

Communication

Assertiveness

Coaching

Active listening

Leadership

Problem solving

Safety leadership

Forklift operation

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Some college

Job description

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com © 2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Job Purpose

Ensures that production is carried out as effective and efficient as possible, in accordance with quality, HSE and other established procedures and standards.

This position is for Waukegan, IL location - 3rd shift Sunday - Thursday 10.00 PM - 6.30 AM

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures production is carried out according to production planning and ensures production priorities are being followed.
• Ensures all site safety rules are strictly followed to that no injuries occur and looks for root cause for all incidents and near misses.
• Ensures all process quality checks are being performed in accordance with established procedures.
• Accounts for proper allocation of man hours.
• Communicates targets and continuously measures and communicates status against these targets.
• Monitors the technical state of installations and take appropriate actions to resolve issues together with Maintenance and Engineering department.
• Resolves short term quality issues together with Quality department, initiate structural problem solving of quality issues.
• Works with the Quality Department to determine new ways to ensure high quality products.
• Works with CI and Shift Supervisors to implement (lean) tools to improve production efficiency, reduce costs and reduce waste.
• Inputs on CI/ ALPS projects and takes action to support (new) management initiatives.
• Coaches Team Leaders for performing their roles, amongst others to lead daily effective team meetings and ensure daily situational problem solving.
• Is familiar and complies with all the applicable corporate as well as site and laboratory policies/procedures with regard to personal conduct, HSE and Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs (PSRA) standards.

Rewards & Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is: $75,000 to $85,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.
• Eligible for straight OT after 44 hours weekly
• Benefits starting day 1401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Annual bonus up to 5%
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits
• Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Short & Long term disability
• Paid Parental leave after 1 year
• Career growth opportunities
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral bonus
• Employee appreciation days

Job Requirements

A. Ability to communicate clearly and frequently within various levels of the organization

B. Assertiveness

C. Coaching skills

D. Active and engaged listening

E. Cheerleader

F. Technical skills

• 1. Paint manufacturing experience (working knowledge of all jobs on team)
• 2. Basic computer skills
• 3. Math comprehension for calculating, scheduling, and delegating of batch quantities to team members
• 4. Trainer
• 5. Problem solving skills

G. Code of Conduct role model

• 1. Make fair and consistent decisions when dealing with your team members Essential Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• Ability to read, comprehend and follow safety instructions and safety guidelines
• Ability to lift and handle containers such as 5 gallon pails up to 75 lbs, 60 lb bags of pigment or maneuvering drums up to 900 lbs
• Must have effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to multi-task and balance priorities
• Dedicated and committed safety leadership and presence
• Ability to climb stairs wearing steel-toed footwear
• Ability to work in hot and cold environments and inclement weather
• Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time
• Arm-Hand steadiness- Keeping your arm or hand steady
• Near vision- ability to read labels and see details up close
• Ability to operate a forklift, following all operating instructions effectively and efficiently

Physical Demands

The physical demands described in the essential qualifications are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described in the essential qualifications are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Education and/or ExperienceHigh School diploma or equivalent required. Some college preferred. Pass pre-employment physical, background check and drug screen. See essential qualifications.

Skills

• Operation and control - Ability to use equipment to perform duties of job safely and effectively
• Mathematics - Knowledge of basic math including adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, fractions and measurements
• Operation Monitoring - Ability to watch gauges, dials, or display screens to ensure proper operation of equipment
• Leadership - ability to lead a team, direct and guide individuals and teams,

Competencies

• Acquiring Information
• Accepting Responsibility
• Accepting Direction

Inclusion Statement

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.