Training Manager

Our client is a well-established food manufacturer that is seeking a Training Manager to build and lead a plant-wide learning and qualification program. This role will create consistent systems for onboarding, technical instruction, on-the-job learning, competency validation, cross-training, and employee development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a scalable training framework for manufacturing employees.
• Adapt established international learning practices for a U.S. production environment.
• Create role-specific curricula, learning paths, training matrices, qualification standards, and refresher programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop Training Coordinators supporting multiple plant shifts.
• Establish a structured onboarding journey covering orientation, safety, GMP, job instruction, hands-on training, assessment, and independent work.
• Design objective assessments that verify proficiency in safety, food quality, equipment operation, standard work, troubleshooting, and process knowledge.
• Maintain workforce capability data, including qualifications, cross-training coverage, skill gaps, expiring credentials, and critical shift needs.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Food Safety, EHS, Maintenance, Engineering, Sanitation, and HR to keep training aligned with current requirements.
• Track program effectiveness through measures such as training completion, qualification speed, retention, compliance, skill coverage, and retraining needs.
• Build career-development pathways that support internal mobility, succession planning, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Training and Development, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Operations, Engineering, Food Science, or a related discipline preferred.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in manufacturing training, learning and development, workforce development, or plant operations.
• Food manufacturing experience required; bakery production experience is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience creating structured on-the-job training, competency-based learning, qualification programs, or skills matrices.
• Previous responsibility for trainers, training coordinators, or technical instructors strongly preferred.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, communication, project-management, and cross-functional partnership skills.
• Experience transferring or implementing training systems across countries, facilities, or business units is highly desirable.