Vacancy title:
Plant Operator I (Paint Shop)

[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics, Category: Admin & Office]

Jobs at:
Kiira Motors Corporation

Deadline of this Job:
Thursday, September 4 2025

Duty Station:
Kiira Vehicle Plant, Jinja | Uganda | Uganda

Summary
Date Posted: Friday, August 22 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

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JOB DETAILS:

Job Summary

The Plant Operator I (Paint Shop) is a foundational member of the Paint Shop team at the Kiira Vehicle Plant, contributing directly to the production of aesthetically appealing, corrosion-resistant, and brand-compliant vehicle finishes. This role is primarily responsible for performing disciplined surface preparation, providing essential support in paint mixing and application, and conducting fundamental quality inspection tasks. The Plant Operator I plays a vital role in upholding Kiira Motors Corporation's stringent quality standards and visual brand identity, while rigorously complying with all safety and environmental protocols to ensure a safe and efficient paint shop environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Functional Responsibilities: Precision in Preparation & Support in Application

The Plant Operator I (Paint Shop) is primarily responsible for supporting day-to-day operational processes in surface preparation and basic paint application, ensuring foundational quality.

1.1. Meticulous Surface Preparation

• Execute thorough cleaning, degreasing, sanding (manual and orbital), and precise masking of vehicle surfaces and components to prepare them optimally for priming and painting.
• Apply undercoats, primers, sealers, and body fillers under supervision, ensuring optimal adhesion, uniform coverage, and a smooth base for subsequent paint layers.
• Visually inspect prepared surfaces for any defects such as scratches, dents, dust, or contaminants, and promptly escalate findings to the Plant Operator II or Shop Floor Manager.

1.2. Paint Mixing & Application Support

• Assist in the accurate formulation and mixing of paints, including basecoats, clearcoats, thinners, and hardeners, strictly according to prescribed specifications and safety guidelines.
• Support the preparation and basic calibration of paint spray guns, pressure pots, and paint booth environments, ensuring readiness for operation.
• Execute basic paint application tasks (e.g., priming, touch-ups) with a keen emphasis on even distribution, consistent coverage, and minimal overspray.

1.3. Foundational Quality Assurance

• Perform preliminary visual inspections on freshly painted surfaces to detect common defects such as orange peel, runs, sags, dust nibs, fisheyes, or inconsistent coloration.
• Report all identified quality issues promptly and accurately to the Plant Operator II or Quality Inspection and Testing (QIT) personnel for correction and documentation, contributing to early defect detection.

1.4. Equipment Operation & Basic Maintenance

• Safely operate standard paint shop equipment, including various types of spray guns, paint booths, curing ovens, and ventilation systems.
• Conduct routine cleaning and perform minor preventive maintenance tasks on tools, spray guns, and workstations, ensuring their readiness for daily operations.
• Comply strictly with chemical handling procedures and ensure the safe and organized storage of all paint materials, solvents, and hazardous waste.

1.5. Material Handling & Inventory Support

• Assist in the receiving, inspection, and organized storage of paint inventory (e.g., paint cans, solvents, sandpaper, masking tape, rags) within the paint shop.
• Monitor daily consumption of supplies and promptly notify the Plant Operator II or supervisor of impending shortages to prevent production downtime.

1.6. Accurate Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately record paint usage, time logs for tasks, and details of surface preparation completed, as instructed by the supervisor.
• Maintain accurate and complete daily operational checklists and contribute to shift handover reports.

2. Social Responsibilities: Cultivating a Safe & Collaborative Team Environment

The Plant Operator I (Paint Shop) actively supports a team-based production culture built on clear communication, unwavering safety adherence, and mutual accountability.

2.1. Teamwork & Effective Communication

• Collaborate effectively and respectfully with fellow operators, supervisors, and quality control personnel to ensure coordinated task execution and a smooth production flow.
• Communicate work status, challenges, and observations clearly, concisely, and in a solution-oriented manner during shift handovers and team meetings.

2.2. Rigorous Safety Compliance

• Rigorously follow all Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) protocols, especially those governing hazardous material use, ventilation requirements, and confined space operations within the paint booth.
• Ensure proper and consistent use of all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including respirators, protective suits, gloves, and eye protection.
• Ensure proper and consistent use of all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including respirators, protective suits, gloves, and eye protection. Immediately report any unsafe conditions, incidents, chemical spills, or near-misses to the Plant Operator II or the HSE Officer, contributing actively to a proactive safety culture.

3. Emotional Responsibilities: Focus, Discipline & Commitment to Quality

The role demands unwavering focus, resilience, disciplined execution, and a strong appreciation for visual quality and aesthetics in a fast-paced environment.

3.1. Meticulous Attention to Detail & Visual Standards

• Exhibit a meticulous eye for detail in all aspects of surface preparation and the visual quality of paint finishes, recognizing their direct contribution to the final product's appearance.
• Take personal ownership of tasks, understanding their critical impact on the customer-facing aesthetics and brand perception of the vehicle.

3.2. Precision & Patience in Craftsmanship

• Approach repetitive and intricate tasks (e.g., fine sanding, masking) with patience and precision, maintaining consistency in finish quality across all components.
• Strive for exactness in masking, sanding, and blending to minimize rework and achieve flawless transitions and finishes.

3.3. Discipline & Responsiveness to Feedback

• Adhere strictly to supervisor instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and production schedules, demonstrating strong operational discipline.
• Accept feedback positively and proactively demonstrate continuous improvement in work quality and efficiency based on guidance received.

3.4. Resilience & Adaptability in Production

• Maintain physical and mental stamina in a demanding, fast-paced, and production-oriented environment.
• Adapt smoothly and efficiently to changes in work assignments, equipment, paint formulations, or process flows, ensuring continuous production.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education Background

• Artisan Certification, Craft Certificate, or Worker’s PAS (Practically Acquired Skills) in Automotive Painting, Panel Beating, Surface Finishing, or a closely related trade from a recognized technical institution.

Experience

• Demonstrated familiarity with automotive paint shop operations through vocational training, a formal internship, or an apprenticeship program is highly preferred.
• Prior hands-on experience for at least 3 Years in a paint shop or a related industrial finishing environment.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCES

• 1. Technical Proficiencies: Foundational knowledge of sanding, cleaning, degreasing, masking, and priming techniques. Basic ability to mix and match paints and safely use spray equipment. Familiarity with different paint types (e.g., solvent-based, waterborne) and their properties.
• 2. Tool & Equipment Handling: Competence in safely operating standard paint shop equipment such as various spray guns, sanding machines, paint booths, and air compressors.
• 3. Quality Focus (Basic): Basic ability to identify common paint defects (e.g., runs, sags, orange peel) and an understanding of visual quality benchmarks for automotive finishing.
• 4. Safety Awareness: Strong awareness of workplace hazards specific to a paint shop environment (e.g., chemical exposure, ventilation, fire risks) and a commitment to correct PPE usage.
• 5. Team-Oriented Mindset: Effective communication skills; strong willingness to assist colleagues, learn from supervisors, and contribute positively to team goals.
• 6. Physical & Mental Endurance: Capable of performing tasks requiring lifting, bending, standing for extended periods, and repetitive actions with sustained concentration.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: professional certificate

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