Spray Painting Department Manager

Hire Resolve; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Hire Resolve is seeking an experienced Spray Painting Department Manager to join its production team in Cape Town. This is a full-time, onsite position within a premium, design-led outdoor product manufacturing environment.

You will lead a skilled team, ensure process quality, manage equipment maintenance, safety, and ERP data, and implement Lean/5S to optimise throughput in Montague Gardens.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, or high-end furniture manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Engineering Diploma in Chemical or Industrial Engineering; surface coating qualification is a plus.
• Industrial technical certification in surface coating technology is an advantage.
• Strong leadership and conflict resolution abilities.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Attention to colour variance and fine detail.
• Ability to work onsite in Montague Gardens, Cape Town.

Responsibilities

• Plan and allocate daily tasks to meet production deadlines and optimise workflow.
• Supervise spray guns, booths, mixing equipment, and drying ovens operation and maintenance.
• Monitor stock levels of paints, solvents, thinners, and consumables to prevent downtime.
• Track daily output, labour efficiency, line downtime, scrap rates, and labour hours.
• Record accurate production data in the ERP system in real time.
• Balance shifts and apply Lean and 5S to eliminate waste.
• Inspect finished surfaces for defects and ensure quality specifications.
• Oversee coating mixing and thinning for correct viscosity and colour matches.
• Diagnose and resolve coating or equipment failures to reduce rework.
• Recruit, train, mentor, lead, and motivate spray painters and mixers.
• Build a cross-training skills matrix to reduce bottlenecks.
• Conduct performance reviews and foster a productive workshop culture.
• Enforce PPE use and proper hazardous waste disposal.
• Maintain documentation on chemical usage, emissions, and safety audits.

Skills

Leadership

Production planning

Lean & 5S

Quality control

Color matching

Troubleshooting

Team motivation

Education

Engineering Diploma in Chemical Engineering

Surface coating qualification

Industrial engineering

Tools

Spray guns

Spray booths

Mixing equipment

Drying ovens

Job description

A company in the premium, design-led outdoor product manufacturing industry is seeking an experienced Spray Painting Department Manager to join its production team in Cape Town. This is a full-time, onsite position within an innovative and high-growth manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and allocate daily tasks to meet production deadlines and optimise workflow and throughput.
• Supervise the operation, maintenance, and calibration of spray guns, booths, mixing equipment, and drying ovens.
• Monitor stock levels of paints, solvents, thinners, consumables, and personal protective equipment to prevent production downtime.
• Track and optimise daily output, labour efficiency, line downtime, completed units, scrap rates, and labour hours.
• Ensure accurate, real-time production data is recorded in the ERP system.
• Balance shifts effectively and apply Lean and 5S principles to eliminate operational waste.
• Inspect finished surfaces for defects, including runs, orange peel, and uneven thickness, ensuring compliance with strict quality specifications.
• Oversee the mixing and thinning of chemical coatings to achieve the correct viscosity and accurate colour matches.
• Diagnose and resolve coating or equipment failures to reduce rework and production delays.
• Recruit, train, mentor, lead, and motivate spray painters and paint mixers.
• Build and maintain a cross-training skills matrix to reduce bottlenecks.
• Conduct performance reviews and promote a supportive and productive workshop culture.
• Enforce the use of personal protective equipment and ensure hazardous waste is disposed of correctly.
• Maintain accurate documentation relating to chemical usage, emissions, and safety audits.

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, or high-end furniture manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Must have an Engineering Diploma in Chemical or Industrial Engineering. Alternatively a surface coating qualification with more than 5 years proven record in similar role.
• Industrial technical certification in surface coating technology or a trade test equivalent is a distinct advantage.
• Strong leadership and conflict resolution abilities.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Sharp eye for colour variance and fine detail.
• Kind, with high standards.
• Ability to work in an industrial environment with exposure to chemical fumes, dust, and loud noise. Protective equipment will be provided.
• Capability to stand, walk, and inspect equipment for extended periods.
• Must be available to work onsite in Montague Gardens, Cape Town, for the majority of working hours.

Our client is offering a highly competitive salary for this role based on experience.