We are working with a leading manufacturer of nonwoven fibers and foam products, with over a dozen locations in the US and Canada. The company produces products for the home furnishings, bedding, mattress, institutional, medical, pet, aviation, craft, retail, industrial, flooring, filtration, packaging, and automotive markets. Based on an upcoming retirement, the company is looking for a Plant Manager to be located in one of their facilities near Buffalo, NY. The position comes with a competitive base salary and benefits as well as relocation assistance for the right candidate. Experienced manufacturing / operational leader to oversee all aspects of plant operations. The ideal candidate will come from a Manufacturing background, who brings several years of experience—ideally within the textile, fiber, nonwovens, filtration, industrial, packaging, foam, mattress, bedding, home furnishings, flooring, automotive, CPG, packaging, seasonal décor products, etc. manufacturing industry. Experience shipping finished products to big box retailers and/or craft market retailers for their fiberfill products such as batting, quilting, pillows, bedding, etc. and their seasonal products business including spray snow, fiber snow, table top décor, gift, packaging, etc. This role is both strategic and hands-on requiring a strong understanding of the manufacturing processes, leadership maturity, and a team-building mindset. The Plant Manager will drive efficiency, develop high-performing teams, improve operational processes, and serve as a key support to the Managing Director.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership:

Oversee daily plant operations including Production, Maintenance, Planning, Warehouse, Facilities, Safety, Training, Quality, etc. Ensure production performance meets established KPIs for output, quality, cost, waste, and delivery Continuously improve plant efficiency using KPIs and data-driven decision-making Lead production planning and operational execution with a strong focus on efficiency, throughput, and accurate capacity utilization to support customer demand and growth Drive the adoption of new technologies and operational improvements to strengthen plant performance Develop and implement best-practice procedures at the operator and supervisor level

Technical Expertise:

Apply knowledge of manufacturing processes and customer requirements Collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to optimize processes, address technical issues, and support product development and improvement

Leadership & People Development:

Build, mentor, and sustain a high-performing operational team Foster a culture where operational colleagues are valued equally to all other functions Lead by sharing responsibility, encouraging accountability, and promoting collaboration Develop entry-level operators into skilled, capable professionals through structured coaching and training Strengthening communication across shifts, teams, and departments

Safety, Quality & Compliance:

Champion a safety-first mindset, ensuring compliance with OSHA, environmental standards, and company policies Drive proactive risk identification, reduction, and mitigation Uphold strict quality standards aligned with global company specifications Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to resolve issues, reduce defects, and improve process capability

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Projects:

Lead lean manufacturing initiatives, root cause analysis, and waste reduction programs Identify operational bottlenecks and implement sustainable solutions Support global process harmonization and best-practice sharing within the global group

Financial & Reporting:

Manage operational budgets, cost controls, and capital expenditure planning Provide accurate reporting on production performance, staffing, equipment, and

KPIs Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration:

Partner closely with other local departments including Sales, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and the Global Operations Leadership Team Support global initiatives, audits, and continuous improvement efforts

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience) 5+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership roles - CPG, textiles, fiber, fabric, nonwovens, foam, or similar production environment is a plus Proven experience developing teams, improving operational performance, and driving cultural change Demonstrated ability to use KPIs to manage performance and drive improvements Lean Manufacturing experience is a plus All Candidates must be able to provide work related references.