Warp Knit Plant Manager

SP Associates, Inc.; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus opportunity

Relocation assistance available

Long-term career growth opportunities

Job summary

SP Associates, Inc. seeks an experienced Plant Manager for its warp knit manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate will lead operations, focusing on production performance, safety, and quality. Responsibilities include overseeing daily manufacturing operations, managing budgets, and leading employee development initiatives.

Qualified candidates should possess a strong background in textile manufacturing, with over 7 years of leadership experience and the ability to drive operational excellence. A Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven experience leading large production teams.
• Strong financial and operational management skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all manufacturing operations in the facility.
• Develop and execute operational strategies for improvement.
• Champion safety and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Textile manufacturing experience

Warp knitting knowledge

Production management

Lean Manufacturing

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Textile Technology, or related field

Tools

ERP and manufacturing management systems

Job description

Warp Knit Manufacturing Facility | Pennsylvania

Position Summary

A leading textile manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead all operations within a warp knit manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. This individual will be responsible for driving production performance, safety, quality, employee engagement, and operational excellence across the plant. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in textile manufacturing, with experience in warp knitting, production management, maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires a hands‑on leader who can effectively manage people, processes, and performance while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all day‑to‑day manufacturing operations within the facility.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while meeting customer quality and delivery expectations.
• Monitor plant performance through key metrics including productivity, efficiency, quality, scrap, and labor utilization.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve throughput, capacity, and profitability.
• Manage plant budgets and control operating expenses.

Warp Knit Manufacturing

• Lead all warp knitting operations, including knitting, warping, inspection, and finishing support activities.
• Optimize machine utilization, production flow, and equipment performance.
• Ensure proper setup, operation, and maintenance of warp knitting equipment.
• Identify and implement process improvements to improve efficiency and product quality.
• Partner with technical and engineering teams to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and department managers.
• Build a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Support employee training, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives.
• Promote positive employee relations and engagement throughout the facility.

Safety & Quality

• Champion a culture of safety and ensure compliance with all OSHA, environmental, and company safety requirements.
• Drive quality initiatives to ensure products consistently meet customer specifications.
• Lead corrective action efforts and root cause analysis for quality and production issues.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies and manufacturing standards.

Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with maintenance leadership to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive waste reduction, process optimization, and cost‑saving projects.

Customer & Business Support

• Collaborate with sales, planning, customer service, engineering, and supply chain teams to meet customer requirements.
• Participate in strategic planning and long‑term growth initiatives.
• Prepare and present operational reports, KPI reviews and improvement plans to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Textile Technology, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Previous experience managing operations within a textile manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of warp knit manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience leading large production teams.
• Strong financial and operational management skills.
• Experience managing safety, quality, production, and maintenance functions.

Preferred

• Experience with Karl Mayer or similar warp knitting equipment.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
• Knowledge of textile finishing, dyeing, inspection or converting operations.
• Experience with ERP and manufacturing management systems.
• Multi‑shift manufacturing leadership experience.
• Leadership & Team Development.
• Strategic Thinking.
• Operational Excellence.
• Lean Manufacturing.
• Production Planning.
• Quality System.
• Change Management.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Relocation assistance available.
• Long‑term career growth opportunities.
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment and production environment.
• Frequent walking throughout the plant and production area.
• Hands‑on leadership presence required on the manufacturing floor.