Job Summary:
The Industrial Coatings Shop Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the coatings shop. This individual oversees the planning and execution of multiple jobs running simultaneously through the facility, manages manpower allocation, and works closely with Project Managers to support accurate job bidding. The Superintendent is also a key driver of Loenbro's safety culture within the shop and is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all environmental regulations, including hazardous waste storage and disposal requirements. This is a hands-on leadership role that demands a strong command of industrial coatings processes, an eye for quality, and the ability to keep multiple crews moving efficiently without sacrificing safety or workmanship.
About Loenbro
Loenbro is a trusted, long-term construction lifecycle partner to thousands of customers across the U.S. Our service offerings include Critical Electrical, Mechanical & Structural, Soft Crafts, Inspection, Underground Maintenance and Installation, and Fabrication, and our vertical market focus spans all industries. Our expertise lies in simplifying the complex, so that our clients gain clarity and control in construction and maintenance. We do this by taking full ownership on every interaction, delivering multi-scope project excellence, and establishing long-standing relationships with our partners as we enhance and maintain your critical infrastructure. We have a national presence but a local approach—so that every customer benefits from our capabilities and our care. Through their relationship with us and the One Loenbro model, our customers are able to simplify, control, and succeed in the everyday.
Key Responsibilities
Production Management & Scheduling
• Plan, schedule, and manage the flow of multiple coating projects through the shop simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and resources are used efficiently.
• Develop and adjust daily manpower plans based on project priorities, crew availability, and workload changes throughout the week.
• Coordinate with Project Managers to understand project scope, specifications, and delivery requirements ahead of each job entering the shop.
• Monitor production progress against schedule and address any delays, bottlenecks, or quality issues before they impact delivery.
• Ensure proper sequencing of surface preparation, coating application, curing, and inspection across all active jobs.
Estimating & Bid Support
• Work directly with Project Managers during the bidding process to provide accurate labor, material, and equipment input for coating job estimates.
• Review project specifications and coating systems early in the bidding process to identify potential challenges and ensure bids reflect actual shop conditions.
• Track job costs against estimates during production and report variances to the PM to support continuous improvement in future bids.
Safety Leadership – Loenbro Safety Initiative
• Champion and lead Loenbro’s safety program within the coatings shop, ensuring it is actively implemented and consistently followed by all shop personnel.
• Conduct and document regular safety meetings, toolbox talks, and job hazard analyses (JHAs) specific to coating and surface preparation operations.
• Enforce the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for all coating-related tasks including blasting, spray application, and solvent handling.
• Maintain a zero-tolerance culture for unsafe work practices and ensure all employees understand they have the authority and obligation to stop unsafe work.
• Coordinate with the safety department on incident reporting, near-miss investigations, and corrective action follow-through.
Hazardous Waste Management & Environmental Compliance
• Maintain accurate records of all hazardous waste generated in the coatings shop, including waste coatings, solvents, blast media, and contaminated materials.
• Ensure proper labeling, segregation, and storage of hazardous waste in accordance with EPA, OSHA, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Coordinate scheduled pickups and disposal with approved hazardous waste haulers and maintain all associated manifests and documentation.
• Conduct regular audits of the hazardous waste storage area to ensure ongoing compliance and immediately address any deficiencies.
• Stay current on regulatory requirements related to coatings operations and proactively update shop procedures as regulations change.
Shop Cleanliness & Facility Standards
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-maintained shop environment at all times, establishing and enforcing clear housekeeping standards for all crew members.
• Ensure equipment is properly cleaned, maintained, and stored after each use, including blast equipment, spray systems, and mixing tools.
• Conduct routine walkthroughs of the facility to identify and correct any cleanliness, organization, or maintenance issues before they become larger problems.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel for repair or replacement of shop equipment as needed to avoid production downtime.
Team Leadership & Development
• Directly supervise coatings crew members, foremen, and helpers, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and accountability.
• Identify training needs and ensure all crew members are properly trained in coating application techniques, surface preparation standards, and safe work practices.
• Foster a positive, professional, and team-oriented shop culture that reflects Loenbro’s core values.
• Participate in hiring decisions and onboarding of new shop personnel as the department grows.
Quality
• Monitor quality of shop work and produce paint logs at a minimum for required jobs (per client).
Qualifications
Required
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in industrial coatings, with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or superintendent role.
• Strong knowledge of surface preparation methods including abrasive blasting (SSPC standards), power tool cleaning, and chemical treatment.
• Experience managing multiple simultaneous coating projects in a shop or field environment.
• Solid understanding of hazardous waste regulations and experience maintaining compliance in an industrial setting.
• Demonstrated ability to support or lead job estimating in a coatings environment.
• Proven track record of safety leadership and building a strong safety culture on the shop floor.
Preferred
• SSPC Protective Coatings Inspector (PCI) certification or NACE/AMPP Coating Inspector certification (Level 1 or higher).
• Experience with a variety of coating systems including epoxies, urethanes, zinc-rich primers, and high-temperature coatings.
• Familiarity with coating inspection equipment such as DFT gauges, adhesion testers, and holiday detectors.
• OSHA 30-hour construction or general industry certification.
• Experience in steel fabrication shop environments.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment:
· Indoor office setting with controlled temperature.
· Outdoor industrial sites with exposure to weather extremes.
· Potential exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, or other environmental factors.
· Travel requirements: up to 10% of time.
This role requires compliance with all applicable safety regulations, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and Loenbro's Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) policies.
Benefits
Loenbro offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and rewards to those who join our team:
· Medical, dental, and vision insurance
· 401(k) retirement plan with company match
· Paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay
· Life and disability insurance
· Professional development and training opportunities
· Employee assistance program (EAP)
Benefits eligibility may vary based on employment classification and hours worked.
Our Core Values
LEAD with Values:
· Live with Integrity – We do the right thing and do what we say, in every Interaction - and practice stewardship to car for the communities where we live & work.
· Exceed Expectations – We anticipate customer needs, deliver Innovative solutions, and dedicate ourselves to creating outcomes that make a real difference.
· Act with Urgency – We take action, adapt seamlessly, and keep projects moving without compromising quality - because our customers priorities are our priorities.
· Deliver Excellence – We combine our passion for quality, our Industry expertise, and our eye for Innovation to make excellence our standard.
Guided by core values, grounded in grit and a commitment to excellence, Loenbro maintains and enhances the industrial infrastructure that betters our families, customers, and local communities.
Loenbro is an Equal Opportunity Employer.