Job Title: General Laborer - Paint and Inspection Associate
Job Description
This role supports the production of high-quality painted and laminated glass products by performing a combination of general labor, paint preparation and application, inspection, lamination support, and material handling. You will work on the shop floor operating paint equipment, inspecting glass against detailed specifications, loading and unloading materials, and maintaining a clean, organized work area while following established quality and safety standards.
Responsibilities
Produce high-quality painted glass products on time, safely, and at the lowest possible cost.
Prepare paint for use on automated paint machines and hand-spraying equipment.
Set up, operate, and monitor automated paint machines and hand-spray equipment to ensure consistent coverage and finish.
Communicate with the tempering line and coordinate work based on daily production schedules.
Inspect glass products throughout the process to verify quality, finish, and adherence to specifications.
Clean wet paint from glass edges and visible surfaces to ensure a proper and uniform finish.
Work closely with teammates to rack, cure, and bake newly painted glass pieces.
Hand-spray small-volume, specialty, or custom orders as needed.
Create, retain, and catalog job-specific paint samples and touch-up paint bottles for future reference.
Formulate small paint batches to accurately match customer-supplied master samples, including Pantone, Sherwin-Williams, and other specified color standards.
Apply masks and layouts to create custom logos, designs, and patterns on glass.
Incorporate remake requests and rush orders into the daily production schedule without compromising quality.
Operate and understand the function of ovens used to cure paint and ensure proper curing parameters are met.
Verify and adjust spray patterns on paint machines to maintain consistent application quality.
Change paper rolls and other consumables on paint equipment as required.
Perform routine cleaning and preventive maintenance on paint machines, components, and surrounding work areas.
Read and interpret blueprints, bills of materials (BOMs), and specifications to ensure operations meet production standards.
Use inspection equipment such as tape measures, gauges, and templates to measure and evaluate glass products.
Communicate any issues with prints, BOMs, or parts to the supervisor or appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
Manage and organize inspection and packing material inventory to support continuous production.
Assist with daily quality decision making by understanding internal quality standards and customer requirements, including alignment with ASTM-related standards.
Ensure fabricated and painted laminated glass meets internal quality standards and customer specifications.
Accept or reject finished products based on inspection results and communicate findings with the production team.
Escalate quality questions or concerns and participate in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for production or quality enhancements.
Assist with improving internal control systems and addressing straightforward issues independently.
Support the Preventive Maintenance program and other production areas as needed.
Load and unload glass and related materials safely and efficiently.
Prepare glass for painting, lamination, and inspection processes.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized paint and inspection area at the end of each shift.
Demonstrate respect, positivity, and a strong work ethic while working collaboratively on the shop floor.
Follow all safety guidelines, including appropriate use of headphones and equipment, and sign and adhere to the employee handbook.
Essential Skills
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds safely and repeatedly during the shift.
Experience performing general labor tasks in a manufacturing or production environment.
Ability to use a spray gun for painting or coating applications.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, bills of materials (BOMs), and written specifications.
Proficiency using basic inspection tools such as tape measures, gauges, and templates.
Attention to detail when inspecting parts to ensure they meet quality and customer standards.
Comfort with loading and unloading materials, including glass and related components.
Ability to follow detailed work instructions and production schedules.
Strong communication skills to report issues and collaborate with teammates and supervisors.
Reliable attendance and willingness to work assigned shifts.
Ability to maintain cleanliness and organization in work areas throughout and at the end of each shift.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working in the furniture industry or a similar manufacturing environment is highly beneficial.
Experience in inspection, assembly, or general labor roles within production facilities.
Familiarity with painted or laminated glass products, or other coated materials, is a plus.
Experience formulating or mixing paints and matching color standards such as Pantone or Sherwin-Williams is an advantage.
Comfort working with automated production equipment and participating in preventive maintenance activities.
Willingness to support continuous improvement initiatives and participate in root cause analysis.
Ability to understand and work within quality systems aligned with ASTM-related standards.
Why Work Here?
You will join a production team that values respect, positivity, and a strong work ethic on the shop floor. The environment encourages collaboration, open communication about quality and process improvements, and hands-on learning with specialized equipment. Team members have the opportunity to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and to develop practical skills in painting, inspection, and manufacturing processes. The company promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and support, providing clear standards, structured procedures, and opportunities to grow within a stable, quality-focused operation.
Work Environment
This is a hands-on manufacturing role in a production facility focused on painted and laminated glass. Work is performed on the shop floor around automated paint machines, hand-spray equipment, curing ovens, inspection stations, and material handling areas. Shifts include a first-shift schedule (for example, early morning to mid-afternoon) and a later shift (for example, afternoon to late evening), with consistent weekday hours. The role involves standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, loading and unloading glass, and working near moving equipment. Team members use tools such as spray guns, tape measures, gauges, templates, and various paint and inspection systems. The facility expects employees to maintain a clean and organized work area and follow all safety procedures, including restrictions on headphone use while operating equipment such as forklifts or similar vehicles. Dress is casual and practical for a manufacturing environment: tank tops are allowed if straps are at least one inch wide and provide full coverage, shorts are permitted if they are not excessively short, and leggings are acceptable when worn with a shirt long enough to provide full backside coverage. All employees review and sign the employee handbook prior to starting work and are expected to adhere to its guidelines.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Grand Rapids, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $17.50 - $17.50/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may
