Employee Onboarding Training Lead - Manufacturing

Training Operations Lead – New Employee Onboarding

Employment Type: Full Time (Contract – W2)

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Reports To: Training & Development Manager

Position Summary

The Training Operations Lead – New Employee Onboarding is responsible for the end-to-end design, delivery, and continuous improvement of the onboarding experience for all incoming manufacturing personnel. This role ensures every new hire completes structured intake, orientation, baseline safety certifications, and role-readiness validation before deployment to the production floor. Operating within a high-volume, multi-shift manufacturing environment scaling to 1,000+ employees, this leader drives time-to-productivity and early retention outcomes through programmatic onboarding excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Onboarding Program Ownership — Design and manage a standardized onboarding lifecycle including pre-hire readiness, Day 1 orientation, general safety training (OSHA-10, Hazard Communication/GHS, PPE, emergency action plans, First Aid/CPR/AED), and 30/60/90-day integration milestones.
• Training Delivery & Certification Gating — Ensure 100% completion of required baseline and role-specific training prior to production assignment; manage certification gating so no personnel perform high-risk work without qualification.
• Workforce Readiness Coordination — Collaborate with functional Training Operations Leads (Fabrication, Assembly, Logistics) to align onboarding content with downstream technical training requirements and SOPs.
• Scheduling & Throughput Management — Coordinate onboarding class scheduling to support aggressive hiring ramp targets across multiple cohorts and shifts without creating bottlenecks.
• LMS Administration & Compliance Tracking — Manage learning management system (LMS) records for all new hires, track completion rates, certification status, and expiration timelines as a core KPI.
• Culture & Values Integration — Embed organizational culture, values, performance expectations, and safety-first mindset from Day 1 to drive engagement and reduce early attrition.
• Continuous Improvement — Analyze onboarding effectiveness data (time-to-productivity, early turnover, training completion rates) and refine programs based on operational feedback and quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in training, onboarding, or workforce readiness within manufacturing, construction, or industrial operations environments
• Demonstrated experience onboarding high-volume workforces (500+ personnel) with structured certification and compliance gating
• Proficiency with LMS platforms (e.g., ToolingU, TPC, or equivalent)
• Strong knowledge of OSHA safety standards, NFPA 70E awareness, LOTO awareness, and general industrial safety training requirements
• Excellent organizational, scheduling, and communication skills
• Experience with 30/60/90-day engagement and retention programs preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, or related field preferred