Learning & Development Manager, Commercial

Position Summary:

The Learning & Development Manager is responsible for the assessment, design, execution, continuous improvement, and coordination of learning & development initiatives that support the Human Resources and Commercial L&D long range plan for functional excellence, leadership effectiveness, and individual development.  This includes the sales process, CRM, product knowledge, functional skill development, onboarding, and broker training initiatives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, execute, and facilitate training programs across the Commercial organization, including Foodservice Sales, Retail & Ingredients Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, Food Innovation, and R&D.  Develop an end-to-end communication plan and collaborate with managers of participants to increase learning application, focused on change management and impact of training programming.

• Assess knowledge and skill gaps and develop learning strategies and solutions that improve employee productivity and drive measurable business results.  Incorporate a variety of learning methods, including digital and blended learning solutions.  Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and external vendor partners to develop content.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through KPIs, feedback, and performance metrics to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with business goals. Modify programs as needed to remain relevant and meet desired outcomes. 

• Additional responsibilities may include: Develop and execute training plans to enhance knowledge of Ventura Foods products for broker partners and distributor sales representatives, and support the functional onboarding process that complements corporate onboarding for new employees. Manage training program expenses, track KPIs, maintain reporting, and handle logistics to support training initiatives.

• Support the implementation and integration of new technology solutions for the Commercial team. Ensure these technologies enhance sales processes, improve efficiency, and drive business growth. Provide training and technical support to commercial team members to maximize the effectiveness and adoption of these new tools.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years combined experience of sales and learning & development with an emphasis on Commercial content development, learning, engagement and facilitation is required
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional team members are essential is required
• A passion for learning, a commitment to fostering a positive employee experience, and an understanding of the challenges and dynamics of the food service industry are highly valued.
• Ability to travel up to 20%
•  Previous Sales or Commercial experience strongly preferred
• Familiarity with designing and delivering functional Commercial (sales, revenue management, marketing, etc.) training programs and employee development initiatives tailored to the unique needs of the food service sector is preferred
• Experience with learning management systems (LMS) and e-learning tools is a plus

Knowledge and Skills:

• Customer Focus and Business Knowledge - Strong business acumen and working knowledge of the foodservice industry.
• Communication - Exceptional verbal & written communication skills; effective presentation skills (comfortable presenting to an audience)
• Results Driven - Strong project management skills, detail oriented, and the ability to be proactive and prioritize against multiple projects and requests.
• People Development - Desire to enhance performance and capabilities of others.
• Adaptability - Comfortable navigating the organization and working collaboratively across functions; ability to influence without authority.