Training Manager, Manufacturing Operations

About Kanto Corporation

Kanto is a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-purity specialty chemicals that power the world’s most advanced industries. With a legacy of precision, safety, and innovation, we support global leaders in semiconductor, technology, and chemical processing by delivering products that meet uncompromising standards of quality and reliability.

At Kanto, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We foster a culture where collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence are not just values, but daily practices. Joining Kanto means contributing to work that shapes the future of technology and manufacturing—while growing your career in a dynamic, high-impact environment.

The Role at a Glance

The Training Manager, Manufacturing Operations leads Kanto Corporation’s training, qualification, and workforce-development programs for employees working within Production, Warehouse, Logistics, Material Handling, and other manufacturing-floor functions.

This position is responsible for building and maintaining systems (or processes) that successfully move employees from initial onboarding and training through demonstrated job proficiency and independent qualification. The Training Manager works directly with Operations leadership, supervisors, qualified trainers, technical specialists, and subject-matter experts to ensure employees receive consistent, practical, and effective training aligned with Kanto’s safety, quality, production, and customer requirements.

This position ensures employees acquire, demonstrate, and maintain the technical knowledge, operational proficiency, safety awareness, and quality standards necessary to perform their responsibilities independently and consistently.

This is a highly hands-on position requiring significant presence on the manufacturing floor. The Training Manager develops training programs and materials, personally delivers training, prepares and evaluates internal trainers, monitors employee qualification progress, identifies skill gaps, and continuously improves training effectiveness.

The position is accountable not simply for training completion, but for demonstrated employee competence, operational readiness, and measurable improvements in workforce performance.

What You’ll Do (Essential Functions)

Training Leadership & Program Development

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of technical training and qualification programs for Production, ISO/Chemical Sampling, Material Handling, Warehouse/Logistics, and other manufacturing functions.
• Establish structured training pathways encompassing onboarding, OJT, demonstrated proficiency, independent qualification, cross-training, and ongoing development.
• Develop standardized curricula, instructional materials, competency assessments, Technical Qualification Matrices, and proficiency standards, including Operator Levels 1, 2, and 3.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, EHS, Engineering, and other technical leaders to identify skill gaps and align training priorities with operational demands, staffing needs, and business objectives.
• Maintain a strong manufacturing-floor presence, personally delivering technical training and ensuring programs remain aligned with evolving equipment, processes, procedures, and customer requirements.

Production Operations Training & Qualification

• Oversee technical training in chemical manufacturing, material preparation, mixing, blending, dilution, filtration, chemical transfer, packaging, and related production processes.
• Establish competency requirements for safe equipment operation, setup, monitoring, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance.
• Develop hands-on instruction covering chemical identification, handling, measurement, process sequencing, contamination prevention, and safe material transfer.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) & Employee Qualification

• Manage Kanto's competency-based OJT and employee qualification framework, including training assignments, proficiency milestones, practical assessments, and authorization for independent work.
• Coordinate structured instruction through qualified Trainers, Leads, Supervisors, Specialists, and designated subject-matter experts.
• Ensure OJT includes demonstration, guided practice, observation, constructive feedback, and documented verification of employee proficiency.

Trainer Development, Coaching & Accountability

• Establish standards for selecting, qualifying, certifying, and maintaining internal manufacturing trainers.
• Develop and deliver train-the-trainer programs covering adult learning principles, instructional techniques, hands-on demonstrations, coaching, and competency assessment.
• Coach Trainers, Leads, Supervisors, and technical subject-matter experts to ensure effective, consistent instruction across manufacturing functions and shifts.

Training Systems, Documentation & Compliance

• Develop and maintain standardized OJT curricula, training plans, Technical Qualification Matrices, KPA Certification Forms, competency assessments, and qualification records.
• Maintain centralized tracking of employee training assignments, completion, certifications, proficiency, recertification, and outstanding requirements.

Training Effectiveness & Continuous Improvement

• Establish measurable training performance indicators focused on demonstrated employee competence, operational readiness, and sustained on-the-job performance.
• Monitor training completion, time-to-proficiency, productivity, qualification attainment, errors/rework, safety performance, and cross-training capability.
• Conduct floor observations and performance assessments to identify skill gaps, inconsistent work practices, and opportunities for improved instruction.

Environmental, Health, Safety & Quality Integration

• Integrate applicable EHS, process safety, chemical hygiene, regulatory, and quality requirements into all technical training programs.
• Reinforce safe chemical handling, hazard recognition, PPE requirements, emergency response procedures, and stop-work authority.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Note: Semiconductor or high-purity chemicals industry experience as an operator or technician is highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in training and development, operations, manufacturing or a related field; equivalent directly relevant experience may be considered.
• 7–8+ years of progressive experience developing, writing, implementing, and delivering employee training programs within manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Prior manufacturing management or supervisory experience, including direct responsibility for frontline production, warehouse, logistics, material handling, technical, or similar employees.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing structured On-the-Job Training Trainers (OJT) and employee qualification programs.
• Significant experience personally training frontline manufacturing employees in a production-floor environment.
• Experience developing technical training materials, qualification standards, assessments, and training documentation.
• Experience coaching and developing supervisors, leads, subject-matter experts, or designated On-the-Job Training Trainers (OJT) trainers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in chemical manufacturing, semiconductor supply chain, high-purity manufacturing, regulated manufacturing, or another technically complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience with competency matrices, progressive qualification systems, technical certifications, and train-the-trainer programs.
• Experience working within Quality, Safety, or similarly controlled manufacturing systems.
• Lean/Six Sigma, instructional-design, professional training, or related certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, adult learning principles, OJT programs, and competency-based training.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate effective classroom and hands-on training programs.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, including the ability to develop and support OJT Trainers, Leads, Supervisors, and subject-matter experts.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Strong organizational, project-management, problem-solving, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain training documentation, qualification records, training matrices, assessments, and compliance records.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to partner effectively with Production, Operations, Quality, Safety, and HR.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, learning management systems (LMS), and other training and business technology.

Environment, Working Conditions, Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. In some cases, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment & Working Conditions

While performing the duties of the position, the employee regularly works handling moving mechanical parts and toxic, flammable, and corrosive liquid and fuming chemicals.

Work is regularly performed in an industrial production environment requiring the use of full body clean room attire, including head and face coverings, and full body PPE, including a hood style respirator.

The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places, accessed by ladders, scaffolding, and powered lift trucks.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, except for certain areas where noise may be occasionally moderate or loud for sustained periods of time

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is consistently required to walk or stand for long periods of time, with brief periods of sitting.

Unassisted lifting and moving of objects weighing up to 50 lbs. is required.

The employee is periodically required to bend, stoop, kneel and crouch, with periodic requirements to climb stairs, ladders, or scaffolding.

How to Apply

To begin your journey with Kanto, please click the “Apply” button and submit your resume. We look forward to learning more about you.

Kanto Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents that each individual brings, and we are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to contribute to our shared success.