Manufacturing Training Lead

Position Summary:

The purpose of the Training Lead is to own the on‑the‑job training (OJT) experience for new hires and cross‑training employees. The Training Lead does not deliver training directly; instead, they coach, develop, and hold accountable Certified Trainers to ensure a consistent, high‑quality training experience. They are responsible for the effective utilization and accuracy of the OJT system and the digital skills matrix for their area. The Training Lead partners with the Area Manager, Supervisor, and Process Lead to strengthen workforce capability, document Standard Work, and build area bench strength.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coaches, develops, and provides performance feedback to Certified Trainers to ensure they deliver a consistent, high‑quality onboarding and cross‑training experience. Responsible for facilitating the Certified Trainer course for area and others as needed. 
• Owns the OJT experience by ensuring Certified Trainers and Line Leads follow standard training practices and consistently use the OJT system (Poka) to document and execute training.
• Maintains and monitors the digital skills matrix, identifies skills and capacity gaps, and recommends solutions to the Area Manager and Supervisor.
• Ensures all training activity is accurately captured in the OJT system and digital skills matrix; provides regular reporting on new‑hire progress, cross‑training status, and skill readiness.
• Collaborates with the Process Lead to document, update, and deploy Standard Work, ensuring training materials remain accurate and aligned with current processes. and deploys the documentation in partnership with the Training Coordinator.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Experience Requirements:

• Demonstrated training capability and great communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Demonstrated some expertise in at least one area of the manufacturing process.
• Demonstrated capability of technical proficiency (Microsoft Suite, Windows operating system, etc).
• Minimum: 2-3 years of relevant experience in a training, operations, or supervisory role, ideally within the same or a similar industry. This experience should include exposure to On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs and familiarity with tools and systems for documenting and tracking training.
• Preferred: 4-5 years of experience in a training or lead role within operations or manufacturing.
• Experience specifically with cross-training, skills gap analysis, or implementing training documentation would be valuable.

Education Requirements:

• Minimum: High school diploma or equivalent. This level of education can be sufficient, especially if paired with strong experience in training or operational roles.
• Preferred: Some college coursework, an associate degree, or a relevant certification in training, operations, or workforce development. For example, a certification in workplace training or an industry-recognized credential could indicate added knowledge and credibility.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must be highly organized, self-motivated, and possess the ability to work in a rapidly-changing environment.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, including plant Supervisors and Managers.
• Employee must model the company Core Values of Integrity, Customer Focus, Teamwork, and Personal Ownership, and possess a work history that demonstrates these values.
• Must be a trusted advisor to the organizational levels with whom he/she serves.
• Effective problem-solving, innovation, and communication skills will lead to success in this role.
• This role will often be in a position to present information, and must be capable of positively influencing others in the organization.