About Us
Through generations of refinement, the Dougherty Difference is truly unmatched. It is
reflected in cutting-edge designs, original ideas, and our commitment to our customers.
Our family-owned company is in Edgewater, Florida where we are the proud builders of
SOLACE Boats and many other industry specific components.
Countless individuals and generations have been touched by Dougherty designs. The
memories and the moments are all owed to the ingenuity of the Dougherty legacy. This
legacy has pushed the limits of design and engineering time and again and continues
today. We are at the beginning of a great new generation, and the time has come to set
the stage once again. Be a part of the Dougherty Difference!
Role Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Composites/Lamination Manager with strong leadership abilities, advanced knowledge of fiberglass/composite manufacturing, and a proven track record in production management a Must. This role oversees all daily operations of the lamination department—from gelcoat through pull and post‑grind—ensuring safety, quality, efficiency, and team development.
Position Description: Lamination Manager
The Composites/Lamination Manager leads the full lamination process for Solace Boats and other Dougherty Manufacturing projects. Responsibilities include managing gelcoat, lamination, foaming, pulling, grinding, and material flow. This position requires both technical expertise and the ability to guide and develop a high‑performance team.
Essential Functions of this Role: (Position is Onsite)
Production Leadership & Scheduling
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Manage daily mold flow through Gelcoat, Lamination, Foaming, Pulling, and Grinding.
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Coordinate with upstream teams (mold prep, engineering) and downstream teams (assembly, finishing) to ensure seamless production.
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Ensure daily and weekly production schedules are met while adapting to changing priorities.
Technical Oversight
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Serve as thesubject‑matterexpert for gelcoat, chop gun operation,resin‑to‑glassratios, catalyst adjustments, cure times, and release systems.
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Troubleshoot equipment and material issues quickly and accurately.
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Oversee proper PMs on all lamination equipment tomaintainuptime and performance.
Quality Assurance
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Partner with Quality Control to uphold lamination standards andeliminatevoids,alligatoring, thin spots, cosmetic defects, or structural inconsistencies.
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Monitorfirst‑passyield, rework, thickness variation, and other key quality metrics.
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Participate inroot‑causeanalysis and drive corrective actions.
Team Leadership & Training
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Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, leads, andlaminationtechnicians.
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Ensure all employees areproperly trainedonsafety protocols, lamination techniques, and equipment operation.
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Promote a positive, collaborative, andhigh‑accountabilityteam environment.
Safety & Compliance
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Enforce strict PPE usage, including respirators, gloves, and eye protection.
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Maintain asafety‑firstculture with daily communication, audits, andfollow‑up.
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Ensure compliance with hazardous materials handling and environmental standards.
Materials Management
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Monitor and manage inventory levels of resin, gelcoat, glass, catalysts, release agents, solvents, and other consumables.
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Ensureaccurateusage tracking and minimize waste.
Continuous Improvement
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Work directly with Manufacturing Engineering to improve processes, mold flow, cycle times, and department layout.
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Recommend and implement improvements to tooling, equipment, and lamination schedules.
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Support companywide lean initiatives and standard work development.
Required Qualifications:
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5+ years of supervisory/managementexperience specifically in fiberglass/composite manufacturing.
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Strong technical knowledge of gelcoat, chop guns, handlay‑up, andcomposite‑curingdynamics.
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams in afast‑pacedproduction environment.
- Strong communicationskills with the ability to provide clear direction and feedback.
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Ability to troubleshoot chemical, equipment, andprocess‑relatedissues.
- Comfortable working onsite in anon‑climate‑controlledproduction environment.
- Experience coordinatingcross‑functionalwork with Engineering, QC, Design, and Assembly teams.
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Bachelor’s degree preferred, Ideally in Industrial Technology, Composites/Materials Science, MarineTechnology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
Working Conditions:
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Work primarily on the manufacturing floor in a hot, humid,non‑climate‑controlledenvironment.
- Frequent standing, bending, reaching, climbing on/around molds, and navigating tight spaces.
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Ability to lift and/or move up to 50lbsoccasionally.
- Daily use of PPE, includingrespirators, gloves, safety glasses, andchemical‑resistantgear.
Physical Requirements:
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Work inanoffice environment, but also support production floor duringnew product development
Occasional Activities:
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Using hands for handling or feeling
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Reaching with hands and arms
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Climbing or balancing
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Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
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Lifting: Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Benefit Offerings
This position is eligible to participate in Dougherty Manufacturing’s comprehensive benefits offerings, including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, and 401k.
Why Dougherty Manufacturing:
Whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll be at the leading edge. As the clear leader in the marine industry, we're committed to our values and supporting our exceptional people.
EEOC
Dougherty Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
