Training Manager

Description

MEC is a growing, industry-leading organization where collaboration and innovation drive everything we do. We're looking for a Training Manager to join our HR team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and governing the organization's manufacturing training strategy to ensure employees across all facilities have the knowledge, skills, and capabilities required to perform safely, efficiently, and consistently. You will lead the design and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide training programs, including classroom, on-the-job, technical, leadership, and skills development training. You will partner with Operations, Human Resources, Safety, Quality, and site leadership to establish training standards, content, systems, and measurement processes that support workforce capability, operational excellence, employee development, and organizational growth.

Job Responsibilities

1. Develops and maintains a comprehensive enterprise training strategy aligned with business objectives, workforce needs, and operational priorities.
2. Establishes standardized training frameworks, processes, and governance to ensure consistent training delivery across all manufacturing facilities.
3. Partners with plant leadership and designated site trainers to ensure effective execution of classroom, on-the-job, skills certification, compliance, and cross-training programs.
4. Designs, develops, implements, and continuously improves training curricula, learning materials, training pathways, and competency models for manufacturing, technical, operational, and leadership roles.
5. Coordinates enterprise training resources and provides indirect leadership to site-based training personnel, subject matter experts, and operational trainers.
6. Identifies critical skill gaps and workforce capability needs; develops training solutions to improve employee performance, productivity, quality, safety, retention, and career progression.
7. Leads the development of training academies, apprenticeship programs, workforce development initiatives, and technical upskilling programs to build internal talent pipelines.
8. Implements and maintains systems and processes to measure training effectiveness, employee competency attainment, training compliance, and return on investment.
9. Partners with Operations, Human Resources, Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement teams to integrate training into onboarding, employee development, succession planning, and performance improvement initiatives.
10. Oversees the identification, application, administration, compliance, reporting, and reimbursement requirements related to workforce development grants, training incentives, and government-sponsored funding programs.
11. Develops and maintains relationships with workforce development boards, technical colleges, community organizations, state agencies, and external training providers to expand training capabilities and funding opportunities.
12. Prepares training-related metrics, dashboards, budgets, and progress reports for senior leadership.
13. Manages training-related projects, vendors, and external resources to ensure program effectiveness and fiscal responsibility.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles, workforce development strategies, and manufacturing training methodologies.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple enterprise-wide initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to influence and lead through collaboration across multiple locations and functions without direct reporting authority.
• Experience developing structured training programs, skills matrices, certification programs, and competency-based learning models.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret training metrics and identify improvement opportunities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present to employees, managers, and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to develop partnerships with external educational institutions, workforce agencies, and training providers.
• Knowledge of training grant administration, government workforce programs, or economic development incentives preferred.
• Proficiency with learning management systems, HRIS platforms, Microsoft Office applications, and reporting tools.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, Industrial Technology, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience Requirements

• Seven years of progressive experience in training, learning and development, workforce development, manufacturing operations, or a related field.
• Experience designing and implementing training programs in a manufacturing or industrial environment required.
• Experience leading multi-site training initiatives preferred.
• Experience managing workforce development grants, training reimbursement programs, or government-funded workforce initiatives preferred.