Thermoforming Report

by Keith Brown, President & Owner, Siena Group

Hiring is Back in Session

The final months of the year are often seen as a time when hiring slows, projects wind down, and planning shifts toward January. This perception is typically reinforced by the summer lull, when vacations make scheduling and decision-making more difficult. But, in my experience as a niche recruiter, hiring actually ramps UP during the final four months of the year! Instead of easing off, many companies press forward with recruitment – and candidates respond. The result: a momentum shift that makes year-end one of the most strategic times of the year… for both sides of the desk.

Interestingly, this same dynamic is reflected in two recent Bloomberg articles:

• US Manufacturing Contracts at Fastest Pace in Nine Months
• US Manufacturing Expands at Fastest Pace Since 2022 on Demand

[Note: Both articles may be hidden behind Bloomberg’s paywall. The first article cites data from the Institute of Supply Management and second from the S&P Global flash data.]

Here’s the kicker: the first article was published on August 1, 2025, and the second article on August 21, 2025 – just three weeks later! How can the sentiment flip so fast?!? In reality, it doesn’t – it’s more about interpretation and the different conditions across manufacturing sectors.

Why Does Hiring Heat Up?

Several forces are driving this shift:

• Budget Utilization: Employers often use remaining funds to secure talent before budgets reset.  While this most strongly applies to calendar-year budgets, the trend also shows up in organizations with fiscal years ending outside December.
• Head Start on 2026: Rather than waiting until January, teams are filling roles now to hit the ground running in Q1.
• Project Deadlines: Companies closing out major initiatives often need additional talent to deliver on commitments.
• Motivated Candidates: Many professionals see the end of the year as an ideal time to make a career change, giving employers access to a fresh and engaged talent pool.
• Timing: Summer doesn’t usually mean demand disappears – it just means vacations slow down the process. By late August, schedules align again, and hiring regains momentum.

📊 A recent Reuters article underscores this trend, reporting a notable rebound in manufacturing activity and pointing to renewed growth in production and increased hiring across the industry.

• The manufacturing PMI surged to 53.3, up from 49.8 – a high not seen since May 2022.
• The composite employment index hit 52.8, marking the strongest reading since January.

Employers: Turning Momentum into an Edge

With hiring activity on the rise, competition for strong candidates is fierce. Employers who adapt quickly can stand out by:

• Speeding Up Decisions: Shorter timelines keep top talent from slipping away. This requires real commitment from the team to interview promptly, gather feedback, and make decisions.
• Showcasing Culture: Values, flexibility, and career growth often outweigh salary alone. Make sure candidates see what sets your workplace apart.
• Salary: Make it good! Every hiring manager and HR professional should assume that a counteroffer is coming – which means your initial offer must be strong. Don’t lose an A-player over a few thousand dollars – especially when top performers often deliver 3 to 5 times their salary in value!
  • 📰Read more about the REAL impact of Counteroffers in our August Thermoforming Report.
• Offering Flexibility: Hybrid and remote options remain a differentiator. Yes, your new Plant Manager or Process Engineer needs to be onsite, but other roles not directly tied to the manufacturing floor may benefit from flexibility.
• Looking Ahead: Filling positions now reduces disruption, eases turnover pressure, and helps you sidestep the scheduling challenges that hit hard in late November and December.

⚡Takeaway: Employers who act decisively and communicate clearly will secure the best talent before January.

Talent: Why Now is the Time to Move

• Faster Offers: Companies are eager to fill roles before year-end, often streamlining the hiring process.
• Early Momentum: Landing a new role now sets you up for a stronger start in 2026.
• Negotiation Room: Employers eager to finalize hires may show more flexibility in pay, perks, or start dates.
• More Opportunities: With demand rising, more high-quality opportunities are on the table right now.

🔥 Pro Tip: Apply now – many 4^th quarter interviews lead to January start dates, giving you a head start on 2026. With manufacturing hiring at its highest since 2022 – as the Reuters article points out – candidates have leverage they won’t see if they wait until January.

Wrapping Up: How Both Sides Win

The year-end hiring surge isn’t just a seasonal blip – it’s a rare moment of alignment. Employers can close critical gaps and strengthen teams, while candidates can seize fresh opportunities before the January rush. When both sides of the desk lean into the momentum, what’s often overlooked as “quiet time” becomes one of the most strategic hiring windows of the year.

Quarter 4 isn’t a hiring slowdown – it’s a launchpad. For employers and talent alike, the time to act is now!

At Siena Group, we are your Thermoforming Talent Partner! We’re here to help in any and every way possible! With more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, hiring & recruiting talent, we bring a greater understanding of the companies we partner with and the candidates we pursue. Let’s Strengthen Your Search!