Training & Development Manager

Training & Development Manager

Location: Waterloo, Iowa
Salary: $80,000–$100,000 plus bonus

Position Overview

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a Training & Development Manager to lead company-wide employee onboarding, technical skills development, and compliance training. This position partners with leaders across departments to develop effective training programs that strengthen employee capabilities, promote workplace safety, improve product quality, and support operational excellence.

The ideal candidate combines strong training and program development skills with a hands-on approach to employee learning. This individual will oversee training initiatives from new hire orientation and job-specific skills development to regulatory compliance, equipment training, and ongoing employee development.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Onboarding & Skills Development

• Develop and coordinate structured onboarding programs, training schedules, and role-specific checklists in collaboration with department leaders.

• Deliver and oversee new hire training across multiple departments, ensuring employees understand job responsibilities, company procedures, quality expectations, and safety requirements.

• Conduct hands-on skills assessments and evaluate employee readiness before authorizing independent job performance.

• Develop ongoing training programs to strengthen technical proficiency, workmanship, problem-solving, and employee performance.

• Support production training in areas such as blueprint and specification reading, shop math, MIG welding, assembly procedures, and safe equipment operation.

Technical Training & Process Improvement

• Coordinate training for new equipment, tooling, manufacturing processes, systems, and procedural changes.

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and other functional leaders to identify skill gaps and establish training priorities.

• Develop and maintain training materials, work instructions, standard operating procedures, job aids, and other learning resources.

• Evaluate training effectiveness through skills assessments, employee observations, performance data, and feedback; implement improvements as needed.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Develop, coordinate, and maintain company-wide safety and compliance training programs in accordance with applicable OSHA requirements and company policies.

• Oversee training related to personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard recognition, overhead crane operation, and other applicable workplace safety requirements.

• Maintain accurate training records, certifications, and renewal schedules to support regulatory compliance and audit readiness.

• Identify potential workplace hazards and collaborate with appropriate leaders to reinforce safe work practices and address training needs.

Training Administration & Collaboration

• Maintain organized training documentation, attendance records, assessment results, certifications, and compliance forms.

• Monitor employee training completion and communicate outstanding requirements to department leadership.

• Establish consistent training standards across departments while adapting programs to individual job requirements and employee experience levels.

• Work collaboratively with leadership to identify development opportunities and promote a culture of continuous learning, safety, and quality.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.

• 3–5 years of experience in employee training, learning and development, technical training, or a related discipline.

• Experience developing and delivering training programs across multiple departments or job functions.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver hands-on technical training and assess employee competency.

• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety training requirements.

• Ability to read blueprints and technical specifications, understand basic shop math, and follow manufacturing procedures.

• Manufacturing experience, particularly in welding, metal fabrication, assembly, or industrial operations, is highly desirable.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage training records, certifications, and deadlines.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage employees at varying experience levels and across multiple shifts.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify training gaps and implement effective solutions.

• Commitment to workplace safety, product quality, continuous improvement, and employee development.