Training Specialist

The North West Company; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The North West Company is seeking a Training Specialist to enhance our learning programs and support frontline and leadership development. You will deliver multi-week programs, coach learners, and partner with store leaders to close skill gaps, helping build confidence and operational excellence.

Based at our Winnipeg Training Centre, you will travel as needed to remote communities, adapt materials for adult learners, and maintain accurate training records while driving continuous improvement in

Qualifications

• 5+ years of retail management experience at store manager or department manager level.
• Post-secondary education in human resources, adult education, organizational development, business administration, or related field, or equivalent combination.
• Strong understanding of retail operations and store execution.
• Lived experience working in remote communities (Northern Canada preferred).
• Strong facilitation, presentation, coaching, and program management skills with experience delivering learning programs for frontline and leadership employees.
• Strong analytical, evaluation, and technical skills, with ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Willingness to upskill in adult learning principles, classroom management, and other instructional skills as needed to support trainee learning.
• Must be willing and able to travel as required.
• Ability to accommodate evening and weekend training sessions, as well as after-hours team events, based on organizational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Program Delivery and Facilitation: Deliver multi-week instructor-led training programs; cover store operations, merchandising standards, inventory, customer service, workforce planning, leadership, communication, and performance management; create inclusive learning environments; use diverse facilitation methods; assess learner readiness.
• Learner Coaching and Development: Provide individualized coaching and feedback; identify development opportunities and readiness for progression; support learners in creating personal development goals.
• In-Market Follow-Up and Support: Conduct regular coaching calls with graduates; monitor application of learning in stores; partner with Store Leaders and DSOs to address skill gaps.
• Program Administration and Evaluation: Maintain learner records; gather and report feedback and outcomes; ensure training materials stay current and aligned with priorities.

Skills

Facilitation

Coaching

Program management

Retail operations

Travel willingness

Education

HR or related field

Adult education

Organizational development

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you passionate about enhancing a culture of continuous learning, and want to make a difference in an organization that is a leading multi-national retailer to underserved rural communities? Do you enjoy being a part of a collaborative team and engaging with a variety of audiences to facilitate learning experiences to enhance learners' confidence and competence?

We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to join our team as a Training Specialist. In your role as Training Specialist with The North West Company (TNWC), you will play a critical role as we enhance our people development programs across the organization.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighbourhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role:

Program Delivery and Facilitation

• Facilitate multi-week instructor-led training programs for Department-Manager-in-Training (DMITs)and Manager-in-Training (MITs).
• Deliver learning experiences covering:
  • Store operations and procedures
  • Merchandising standards
  • Inventory management
  • Customer service and customer experience
  • Workforce planning and scheduling
  • Leadership and people management skills
  • Communication and coaching techniques
  • Performance management fundamentals
• Create an inclusive and engaging learning environment that supports adult learning principles.
• Utilize a variety of facilitation methods including classroom instruction, discussions, simulations, role plays, case studies, and practical exercises.
• Assess learner comprehension and readiness through observations, evaluations, and knowledge checks.

Learner Coaching and Development

• Provide individualized coaching and feedback throughout the four-week training program.
• Identify learner strengths, development opportunities, and readiness for progression into market training.
• Support learners in creating and achieving personal development goals.
• Address learning barriers and adapt coaching approaches to meet individual needs.

In-Market Follow-Up and Support

• Conduct regular coaching and development calls with program graduates following deployment to stores, providing ongoing guidance and support to reinforce learning and leadership development.
• Monitor the application of classroom learning in the operational environment by tracking learner progress against established performance and leadership expectations.
• Partner with Store Leaders and Directors of Sales and Operations (DSOs) to identify development needs, provide performance feedback, and implement recommendations and support plans to address skill gaps.

Program Administration and Evaluation

• Maintain accurate learner records, including attendance, assessments, development documentation, and training completion records.
• Gather, analyze, and report on learner feedback, participant progress, and program outcomes to measure training effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
• Ensure training materials, classroom resources, and learning documentation remain current, accurate, and aligned with business priorities and organizational standards.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• 5+ years of retail management experience at a store manager or dept. manager level.
• Post-secondary education in human resources, adult education, organizational development, business administration, or a related field, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong understanding of retail operations and store execution.
• Lived experience working in remote communities (Northern Canada preferred).
• Strong facilitation, presentation, coaching, and program management skills, with proven experience delivering learning programs and supporting the development of frontline and leadership employees.
• Strong analytical, evaluation, and technical skills, with the ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Willingness to upskill in adult learning principles, classroom management, and other instructional skills as needed to support trainee learning.
• Must be willing and able to travel as required.
• Ability to accommodate evening and weekend training sessions, as well as after-hours team events, based on organizational requirements.

Location

The North West Company Training Centre - 657 Century Street, WinnipegMB

Reports to

Senior Manager, People Development

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

• Being Enterprising
• Committing to our Customer
• Working with Passion
• Leading and Developing Others
• Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity
• Building Trust

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill.

This position adheres to the Corporate Application Process Guidelines.