Job Summary:

The Paint Manager leads and manages all aspects of marine paint and refinishing operations, overseeing paint crews, lead technicians, and support staff. This role ensures projects are completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and to the highest quality standards, while contributing to project estimating, customer relations, business development, workforce management, risk mitigation, material procurement, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate is an experienced marine industry professional with a proven track record of managing teams, developing talent, maintaining quality standards, and driving project success.

Accountability:

The Paint Manager is accountable for the overall performance of the Paint Department, ensuring operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards. This includes achieving departmental goals for safety, quality, productivity, schedule adherence, labor efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

Owning the department's operational and financial performance.
Driving continuous improvement in quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Developing and mentoring employees to build a high-performing team.
Managing manpower, materials, and resources to meet project schedules and budgets.
Maintaining accountability for project outcomes, including quality, production targets, and customer expectations.
Identifying and mitigating operational risks affecting safety, quality, schedule, or profitability.
Fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.
Supporting company growth through strong customer relationships, business development, and operational excellence
This role is a key organizational leader, expected to uphold company values while delivering strong results for customers, employees, and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum 7-10 years of management experience in the marine industry.
Proven experience leading and supervising production teams.
Experience hiring, training, and developing supervisors, leads, and technicians.
Strong understanding of marine paint systems, coatings, surface preparation, and finishing processes.
Experience with estimating, quoting, scheduling, and project management.
Demonstrated success in customer-facing roles.
Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Knowledge of quality control standards and risk management practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management:

Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and develop Paint Leads and Paint Technicians.
Supervise direct reports, providing leadership and accountability.
Conduct performance evaluations and coach for continuous improvement.
Address performance issues and workplace concerns alongside the Human Resources Manager.
Foster a culture of safety, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Ensure staffing levels meet production schedules and project demands.

Project Management & Operations:

Oversee day-to-day management of marine paint and refinishing projects.
Coordinate schedules, manpower allocation, and workflow for timely completion.
Monitor project progress and resolve operational challenges.
Collaborate with Project Managers, Production Management, and Executive Leadership to meet project objectives.
Manage project risks and implement corrective actions as needed.
Ensure compliance with company policies, safety regulations, and industry standards.

Estimating & Business Development:

Conduct project assessments and prepare accurate quotes and estimates.
Support new business development and maintain existing customer relationships.
Participate in client meetings, site visits, and project reviews.
Support growth initiatives through customer engagement and service excellence.
Identify opportunities for additional services and revenue.

Quality Control & Safety:

Establish and maintain quality control procedures for all paint operations.
Perform regular inspections to confirm workmanship meets company and customer expectations.
Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Investigate quality issues and implement corrective actions.
Promote a safe working environment and enforce safety protocols.

Materials & Inventory Management:

Manage material ordering and procurement to support project schedules.
Monitor inventory and coordinate with suppliers to ensure availability.
Control material costs and minimize waste.
Verify equipment and supplies are available for project execution.

Administrative Responsibilities:

Maintain project documentation, reports, and records.
Track labor utilization, productivity, project costs, and budgets.
Manage employee schedules, timekeeping, and resource planning.
Use company systems and software for scheduling, reporting, estimating, and communication.
Prepare operational reports for upper management.

Customer Relations:

Serve as a primary point of contact for customers on paint-related projects.
Maintain professional communication with clients throughout project execution.
Address customer concerns and ensure high satisfaction.
Build and maintain long-term customer relationships.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum 7-10 years of management experience in the marine industry.
Proven experience leading and supervising production teams.
Experience hiring, training, and developing supervisors, leads, and technicians.
Strong understanding of marine paint systems, coatings, surface preparation, and finishing processes.
Experience with estimating, quoting, scheduling, and project management.
Demonstrated success in customer-facing roles.
Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Knowledge of quality control standards and risk management practices.
Strong organizational and administrative skills.

Preferred:

Experience in yacht refit, repair, or new construction environments.
OSHA and workplace safety training certifications.
Experience with budget management and cost control.
Bilingual communication skills.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work in marine, shipyard, and yard environments.
Ability to climb ladders, board vessels, and access confined work areas when necessary.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Key Competencies:

Leadership & Team Development.
Project Management.
Business Development.
Customer Service.
Quality Assurance.
Risk Management.
Strategic Planning.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills.
Scheduling & Resource Allocation.
Problem Solving & Decision Making.
Organizational Effectiveness.

Reports To: Operations Manager / General Manager

Supervises: Paint Leads, Paint Technicians, and Support Personnel

Benefits:

Paid time off and paid holidays.
Health, dental, vision, life, and accident insurance are available.
Short- and long-term disability insurance available.
401(k) with company match available.

Job Location: Stuart, FL

Pre-Employment Requirements: All applicants must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check as a condition of employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Willis Custom Yachts is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected.

Willis Custom Yachts

Paint Manager

About the Job

About Willis Custom Yachts