Operator - Coater

Role Overview

The Coater Operator keeps the chemical and paint coating stations on the coil coating line running cleanly, safely and within specification. Working from the coater room control desk, this person prepares coating solutions, watches film thickness and surface appearance, and adjusts rolls or recipes the moment a defect appears — protecting both the finish quality of every painted coil and the equipment that applies it. The position sits at the point where raw or pre-treated strip becomes a saleable painted product, so sharp observation and disciplined documentation directly shape yield, rework rates and customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Examine pick-up and applicator rolls before and during runs, and check incoming coils for surface damage, so faults are intercepted before they transfer onto painted strip.
• Prepare, clean and maintain the chemical and paint coaters, including trays, recirculation lines and associated hardware, keeping them ready for the next campaign or restart.
• Select the paint that matches the line schedule or the supervisor's instruction, verify its properties, and coordinate with Quality Inspectors whenever a batch needs correction.
• Hold the specified wet and dry film thickness by setting application parameters, tracking coating progress, and working with Quality Inspectors to fine-tune roll settings.
• Keep paint trays adequately charged and recirculation flowing, and confirm that strip has been pre-treated under the approved procedure before coating begins.
• Enter process data into SCADA and the coater room logbook, run the coater control desk according to procedure, and report any fault affecting the coaters or wider line.
• Restore chemical and paint solutions promptly after stoppages or program changes, and take part in strip-breakage recovery, line start-up and shutdown activities.
• Clear empty drums from the coater rooms and dispose of used rags and thinner in line with the site waste procedure, maintaining high housekeeping standards throughout the section.
• Follow PPE, health and safety and safe work rules at all times, keep watch on the CO2 fire suppression system, and respond as set out in the emergency plan.
• Train on the Entry and Exit sections to support multi-skilling, and carry out other duties assigned by the CCL Production Supervisor.

Requirements & Qualifications

• KCSE certificate.
• Government Grade Test II or a Craft Certificate in a mechanical or electrical trade, or demonstrable paint process exposure.
• At least 3 years operating industrial process or production equipment in a manufacturing or heavy industrial setting.
• At least 1 year working with oil circulation, filtration, cooling, lubrication, hydraulic or similar industrial fluid-handling systems.
• No medical condition that paint exposure would aggravate, such as a paint allergy.
• A safety-conscious mindset, fast learning ability, teamwork, flexibility toward assigned duties, and clear communication.