Painting Supervisor (Yacht Industry)

Role Overview

Painting Supervisor at Sunreef Yachts. The Painting Supervisor is responsible for supervising and coordinating all yacht painting and finishing activities, ensuring that painting works are completed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality, technical specifications, and yacht-industry standards.

Role Purpose

Manage and oversee all yacht painting and finishing operations, including surface preparation, coating application, and quality control. Supervise painters and subcontractors, control materials and equipment, and ensure projects are completed within schedule while maintaining strict safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Painting & Surface Preparation

• Supervise all yacht painting activities including surface preparation, fairing and sanding, priming, undercoating, topcoat application, varnishing and finishing, and touch-up and repair works.
• Ensure correct preparation of fiberglass, aluminium, steel, wood and other yacht surfaces.
• Ensure correct application of marine paint systems according to manufacturer specifications.
• Monitor mixing ratios, pot life, application thickness and curing times.
• Ensure proper masking and protection of adjacent areas before painting.
• Inspect surfaces before, during and after painting.

Team Supervision

• Supervise painters, polishers, preparation workers and subcontractors.
• Allocate daily tasks and manpower according to project requirements.
• Monitor attendance, productivity and work quality.
• Train workers on proper painting techniques, equipment handling and safety procedures.
• Ensure workers follow company procedures and work instructions.

Quality Control

• Ensure painting works meet approved drawings, specifications and quality standards.
• Identify defects such as runs and sags, orange peel, pinholes, blistering, cracking, poor adhesion, uneven finish, colour variation and contamination.
• Coordinate rectification and rework when required.
• Conduct inspections with QA/QC and client representatives where applicable.
• Maintain records of inspections, coating applications and corrective actions.

Production Planning

• Prepare daily and weekly work plans for the painting team.
• Coordinate painting activities with lamination, carpentry, mechanical, electrical, interior and other yacht production teams.
• Ensure painting activities do not interfere with other trades.
• Monitor progress against project schedules and report delays immediately.
• Ensure completion of work within agreed deadlines.

Materials & Equipment

• Monitor paint, primer, thinner, solvents, abrasives, masking materials and other consumables.
• Ensure materials are stored and handled correctly.
• Check product batch numbers, expiry dates and technical data sheets.
• Ensure spray guns, pumps, compressors, sanding machines and other equipment are properly maintained.
• Minimize material wastage.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure strict compliance with HSE requirements during painting operations.
• Ensure proper use of PPE, including respirators, protective clothing, gloves and safety equipment.
• Monitor ventilation and environmental conditions in paint areas.
• Ensure safe handling and storage of paints, solvents and hazardous materials.
• Ensure compliance with fire-safety and confined-space requirements.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, incidents and environmental concerns.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain daily production and manpower reports.
• Record paint consumption and material usage.
• Maintain coating application and inspection records.
• Report production progress, quality issues, manpower requirements and delays to management.
• Review technical specifications, paint manufacturers' recommendations and work instructions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or technical qualification in Painting, Marine Coatings, Surface Treatment, Shipbuilding or a related field preferred.
• 5–8 years of experience in marine/yacht painting, shipbuilding, ship repair or luxury yacht finishing.
• Minimum 2–3 years of supervisory experience managing painting teams.
• Strong knowledge of marine coating systems and surface preparation.
• Experience with spray painting, airless spraying and conventional spray systems.
• Knowledge of fairing, sanding, priming, topcoats and clear coats.
• Experience working with epoxy, polyurethane and other marine coating systems.
• Ability to read technical specifications and understand paint manufacturers' technical data sheets.

Skills & Competencies

• Experience with luxury yachts and superyachts highly preferred.
• Knowledge of brands such as Awlgrip, Alexseal, International, Jotun, Hempel or equivalent marine coating systems.
• Knowledge of DFT (Dry Film Thickness) and coating inspection procedures.
• Familiarity with yacht production schedules and coordination between multiple trades.
• Strong leadership and manpower-management skills.
• Good problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under tight project deadlines.
• Good communication skills in English.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and sustainable projects.
• Supportive and growth-oriented work environment.
• Exposure to international standards and advanced technologies.