Color Lab Manager

Job Title
Color Department Manager (NKC)

Department
Color / Color Lab / Color Sample Department

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: Director of Quality Control, Color, and Testing Labs
• Direct Reports: Color Chemists, Color Sample Technicians, and/or Color Specialists
• Indirect Influence: Product Support, R&D, Production, and QC personnel

Primary Purpose

The Color Department Manager is responsible for leading all North Kansas City based color-related operations within the organization, including color file development, color sample production, color matching systems, and color-related production support.

This role ensures the delivery of consistent, high-quality color performance across products and manufacturing sites while developing team capability, driving process improvements, and aligning color operations with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1) Leadership & People Management

• Directly manage, coach, and develop Color Department personnel, including performance management, training, and career development.
• Build and maintain strong team capability in color matching, file development, instrumentation, and systems use.
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and accountability for safety, quality, and productivity.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ownership, and collaboration across departments.

2) Color Operations Ownership

• Oversee all color file development for new products, processes, and equipment implementations.
• Ensure the production of high-quality color samples meeting internal and customer specifications.
• Manage workload prioritization to meet deadlines, business needs, and customer requirements.
• Maintain efficient workflows for color matching, file building, and sample preparation.

3) Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D, Product Development, and Product Support to define color acceptance criteria and evaluate color feasibility.
• Work closely with Production and QC to support manufacturing operations and resolve color-related issues.
• Interface with Sales, Customer Service, and Marketing to support customer needs and sample deliverables.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external partners on pigments, colorants, and color technologies.

4) Production Support & Troubleshooting

• Lead investigation and resolution of color-related production issues and customer complaints.
• Provide guidance on off-spec color batches, including rework, correction, or disposition recommendations.
• Support troubleshooting across multiple sites and systems, including color instrumentation and software.

5) Quality & Standards Management

• Ensure adherence to company standards, testing methods, and documentation requirements.
• Review and improve color processes to ensure accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency.

6) Systems, Technology & Data

• Oversee use and optimization of color instrumentation and software (e.g., DataColor systems).
• Ensure proper use of formulation systems and analytical tools (Excel-based tools).
• Maintain accurate and traceable data systems for formulations, samples, and color files.
• Evaluate and implement improvements in color technology, automation, and workflows.

7) Documentation & Reporting

• Ensure all color-related work is well-documented, traceable, and audit-ready.

Internal & External Relationships

• R&D / Product Development
• Product Support / QC / Testing Lab
• Production (KC, Baltimore, and other sites)
• Sales, Marketing, Customer Service
• Purchasing and Suppliers
• Rework Teams