They know a secret... Townsend Leather Feature in the Times Union

The Times Union newspaper recently published a feature on Townsend Leather. Showcasing a bit of who we are and how we are growing.

We are excitedly growing and hiring, looking for the top talent to join our award-winning, passionate, leather-loving team.  

https://www.timesunion.com/marketplace/article/know-secret-townsend-leather-hiring-top-talent-22220503.php

See the article below, or click here to apply and join our growing team!

You may not have heard of Townsend Leather, but if you’ve worn New Balance sneakers or spent any time at a luxury hotel – odds are, you’ve experienced it.

The Johnstown, New York-based company, which has occupied the same building since 1969, is a third-generation family-owned business with a fourth generation coming up now.

“It is not an exaggeration to say we manufacture the world’s greatest leather,” said Townsend Leather employee of 17 years, Shawn Czadzeck.

“We buy only the greatest raw material, and we do as little to it as we can to make it beautiful, long-lasting, sustainable, and surpassing the incredibly high standards of our customers,” Czadzeck said.

Around seventy percent of the leather produced by Townsend goes to private aviation clients, the rest going to the Hospitality industry and New Balance shoes, made in the United States.

You don’t make leather for this high-level of discerning customers, in a difficult economy and a challenging industry, and still grow as a company, unless you know a secret.

Townsend Leather is known as and situated at the Heart of the Leather Making Region, drawing on hundreds of years of leather-making history in the area, but with a keen eye toward the future and cutting-edge technology.

History and future are part of the equation, but not the secret.

“Hundreds of hands touch each piece of leather. Everyone here is a little bit part of everything. Wherever you have a passion, there’s a job for you here,” Czadzeck said.

It’s the people.

The craftspeople, their care, their passion, their way of working together… people do their best work when they are cared for, feel part of something, and have a future to look forward to – that is Townsend.

“We are proud of our awards, because they come from the people. The culture we have is like no other; there is something magical about coming together to create, and that magic infiltrates everything at Townsend. People will sometimes leave, but they almost always come back, saying they want to work somewhere where they are appreciated,” Czadzeck said.

Townsend Leather has been named a Top Workplace for over a decade, as well as a best place to work, and a variety of other awards.

Change is a common occurrence at Townsend, and as they are in a growth period, they are looking for top talent to join the team. People with passion and a hunger for knowledge, specifically looking for someone to lead the charge of Building 2, which includes the new Quality Lab, Final Inspection, Shipping, and more. A new leadership role, overseeing that all Townsend orders “cross the finish line with a win” before they head out the door, serving as our Completion & Quality Lead.  

“We need someone to operate the whole building with a quality focus.  The lab, inspection, shipping…it is a variety of skills, but it is all quality-focused and vitally important,” Czadzeck said.

Another higher-end role that Townsend is looking to fill is human resource leader/training and analysis development manager. The role itself is still taking shape, and the organization is seeking someone who can step in and help define it from the ground up, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team.

“We have such great people here. If we can add one more person who has a strong leadership skillset, a talent for developing people, and the ability to build meaningful connections with everyone, they would be in good company and be able to put those skills to meaningful work,” he said.

Townsend says its secret for longevity, success, and quality of leather & careers is truly the people.

Recently, one employee celebrated 45 years at Townsend, and Czadzeck said they are not alone, as several have put in four decades, and many have made Townsend Leather their lifetime career.

Ask any Townsend employee what words to describe working there, you will hear “fun!” “family,” “rewarding, “respect,” “together”… it’s a place to be part of something and make a place for yourself.

Quality leather making takes many hands, an eye on the past, an eye on the future, a heart for craft, a mind for knowledge, and a special team to pull it all together.

For more information on applying for the open positions at Townsend, visit the career page at www.townsendleather.com/careers.

For more information on the company, visit www.townsendleather.com.