Learning Development Manager - Manufacturing

MCS Group; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multinational manufacturer seeks a Learning & Development Manager for its Belfast site. This pivotal role involves designing and implementing a people development strategy, enhancing training programs, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in L&D, strong communication skills, and a CIPD Level 5 qualification. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and significant opportunities for career advancement.

Benefits

Highly competitive salary + benefits

Flexibility on start and finish times

Hybrid working

Excellent scope for career development

Opportunity to impact people and culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a People Development or L&D role, ideally at manager level within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience designing and delivering training programmes to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a comprehensive people development strategy.
• Conduct organisation-wide training needs analysis and source providers.
• Manage a small team of trainers and oversee operational training.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Project Management

Training Program Design

Education

CIPD Level 5

Tools

Digital Learning Platforms

Job description

Learning & Development Manager - Leading Manufacturer - Belfast

MCS Group is delighted to be working in partnership with a multinational, award-winning manufacturing organisation, who are seeking to recruit a Learning & Development Manager on a permanent basis at their Belfast site. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of the organisation's people development strategy, supporting a large, multi-site workforce across both manufacturing and professional functions.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of HR, the Learning & Development Manager will take the lead in designing and delivering a comprehensive people development strategy aligned to the organisation's wider business objectives. This is a key role in shaping a culture of learning and continuous improvement across all functions. You will partner closely with key stakeholders to deliver impactful in-person and virtual learning solutions, from technical and compliance training to soft skills and leadership development. The successful candidate will also be responsible for conducting organisation-wide training needs analysis, sourcing appropriate internal and external providers, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, fit-for-purpose learning solutions.

A core part of the role will be leading on succession planning and career development frameworks, helping to identify high-potential talent and establish clear progression pathways across the business. You will play a critical role in refining performance management practices, supporting goal setting, appraisals, and personal development plans to drive individual and team performance. The Learning & Development Manager will also oversee the delivery of a robust and engaging induction and onboarding experience, as well as managing early careers initiatives such as apprenticeships, graduate schemes and internships.

You will manage a small team of trainers, ensuring operational training is consistent, aligned with business needs, and delivered to a high standard. You will also be responsible for embedding coaching frameworks, supporting people managers to develop their teams effectively, and championing a culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and engagement. The role will involve evaluating and implementing learning technologies to improve accessibility, engagement and tracking, and managing the L&D budget to ensure strong return on investment across all development activity. Finally, the Learning & Development Manager will support key cultural transformation projects, contributing to the embedding of company values and high-performance behaviours across the workforce.

The Person

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Proven experience in a People Development or L&D role, ideally at manager level within a manufacturing environment
• Strong experience designing and delivering training programmes to diverse audiences
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to drive and evaluate development initiatives
• Familiarity with digital learning platforms and a strong understanding of modern L&D practices
• CIPD Level 5 (minimum) or equivalent experience
• A proactive, creative, and agile mindset
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the UK and Ireland (and occasionally abroad)

What's on Offer?

• Highly competitive salary + benefits
• Flexbility on start and finish times
• Hybrid working
• A key strategic role within a well-established, multinational manufacturer
• Excellent scope for career development and internal progression
• The chance to make a genuine impact on people, culture, and performance

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Ryan Calvert (Assoc. CIPD), HR Recruitment Specialist at MCS Group on 028 9023 5456 028 9023 5456 .

Even if this role isn't right for you, we may have others that are. Visit www.mcsgroup.jobs to explore our current live roles.

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