Production Foreman - 1st Shift

Location: Columbus, OH

Department: Operations / Production

Reports To: Production Manager / Managing Director

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary: We're looking for an experienced Production Foreman to lead our production team and oversee the day-to-day operations of our powder coating facility. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands the entire coating process and enjoys working alongside their team to produce high-quality work. The right candidate will have experience managing production schedules, leading employees, solving problems on the floor, and ensuring products meet quality standards. You'll play a key role in keeping production running safely, efficiently, and on schedule while maintaining a positive, accountable work environment.

Production Operations: Lead and coordinate daily production activities throughout the powder coating process, including pretreatment, racking, powder application, curing, inspection, and packaging. Assign work based on production priorities and balance staffing across departments to keep work flowing efficiently. Monitor production schedules and adjust resources as needed to meet customer deadlines. Oversee both manual and automated powder coating lines to ensure equipment is operating properly and production standards are met. Identify and resolve production issues quickly to minimize downtime and maintain productivity.

Quality Control: Ensure all finished products meet company quality standards for coating thickness, adhesion, gloss, color consistency, and overall finish. Verify pretreatment systems, chemical concentrations, wash temperatures, and oven curing profiles are operating within specifications. Work closely with the quality team to reduce scrap, eliminate rework, and implement corrective actions when issues arise.

Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and coach production employees, including sprayers, rackers, material handlers, and line operators. Promote a positive, team-oriented culture built on accountability, communication, and continuous improvement. Monitor attendance, performance, and adherence to company policies. Cross-train employees to improve flexibility and maintain production coverage.

Safety & Equipment: Maintain a safe work environment by ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies. Ensure proper use of PPE and safe operation of all equipment. Coordinate preventive maintenance for spray equipment, conveyor systems, ovens, and powder recovery systems. Keep the production area clean, organized, and free from cross-contamination between powder colors.

Preferred: Experience with continuous conveyor or batch powder coating systems. Familiarity with ERP or MRP software used for production scheduling and inventory management.

Salary: $55,000$70,000 annually, based on experience 401(k) with company match