Functional Development Lead - Production & EHS Training

Nestlé S.A.; Solon (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Nestlé USA is seeking a Manager, Functional Development (Production, ME & SH&E) to lead capability-building strategies and training governance across One Operations. You will partner with SH&E SMEs, Manufacturing Excellence, HRBPs, and L&D to close competency gaps and deliver scalable onboarding and certification programs.

You will drive alignment to enterprise standards, employ platforms like POKA and LMS, and ensure training reaches both corporate and field locations with measurable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Learning & Development, Engineering, Occupational Safety, or a related functional field preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in Learning & Development, Functional Training, Operations, Manufacturing/Production, EHS/Safety, or HR—preferably within a manufacturing or operations environment.
• Experience supporting or working within operations environments (e.g., manufacturing, production, safety, supply chain), with an understanding of site-based capability needs, safety/regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.
• Experience within the supported function(s)—ME/Production or SH&E—as a practitioner or subject matter expert, with the ability to translate real-world expertise into scalable training solutions.
• Experience designing and delivering functional training programs or capability-building strategies, including onboarding, certification, and skills-development initiatives.
• Exposure to digital learning tools and platforms (e.g., LMS, POKA, digital work instructions, learning experience platforms) and technology-enabled training solutions preferred.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Ability to design, implement, and continuously improve functional training and development solutions that drive measurable skill progression, readiness, and safety/operational performance.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing and safety operational environments and the ability to align training strategies to business priorities, compliance requirements, and performance outcomes.
• Proven ability to build credibility and collaborate effectively with functional leaders, HRBPs, SMEs, factory/DC teams, and L&D partners to drive aligned capability outcomes.
• Ability to partner with subject matter experts to translate technical and safety knowledge into structured, scalable, and effective learning solutions.
• Applies sound instructional design principles and ensures high-quality, consistent training delivery across audiences and locations.
• Uses data (e.g., skill gaps, progression, completion, readiness, time-to-competency, compliance) to assess effectiveness, identify opportunities, and drive continuous improvement.
• Supports the implementation of enterprise and One Operations tools and initiatives (e.g., POKA, GROW/iLearn, Training Foundations, CB App), driving adoption within assigned functions.
• Effectively navigates cross-functional and matrixed organizations, balancing functional needs with enterprise alignment; strong change-leadership and facilitation capabilities.
• Experience leveraging LMS, digital work instructions, and learning technologies (e.g., POKA, iLearn/GROW) to scale capability building and improve learner experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead functional development strategy for the Production, ME and SH&E functions within One Operations.
• Partner with SMEs within SH&E to ensure training elements like LOTO, PPE, safety compliance, onboarding, and behavior-based safety programs are current and governed.
• Partner with SMEs within Manufacturing Excellence to maintain training on standard work, TPM/Lean, onboarding and certification, and front-line leader development.
• Establish content ownership and ensure POKA and other digital work-instruction platforms remain current and the source of truth.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve functional onboarding plans across corporate and field locations.
• Develop and sustain functional capability frameworks, including competency matrices and role proficiency requirements.
• Collaborate with SMEs to build capability in problem solving, RCA, Lean/TPM, reliability, systems thinking, change leadership, and MOC.
• Contribute to enterprise L&D initiatives (POKA, iLearn/GROW, Training Foundations, onboarding standards, CB App) with governance.
• Ensure NAOOMI compliance alignment for training programs; include Field and Corporate One Operations employees.
• Assess skill gaps, progression, and readiness; monitor metrics and report impact.

Skills

L&D strategy

Functional training

Operations experience

SH&E knowledge

RCA & Lean

Change leadership

Content ownership

LMS experience

POKA & digital work instructions

GROW/iLearn

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Learning & Development, Engineering, Occupational Safety, or related field

Tools

POKA

LMS

iLearn/GROW

CB App

Job description

Nestlé USA is seeking a Manager, Functional Development (Production, ME & SH&E) to lead capability-building strategies and training governance across One Operations. You will partner with SH&E SMEs, Manufacturing Excellence, HRBPs, and L&D to close competency gaps and deliver scalable onboarding and certification programs.

You will drive alignment to enterprise standards, employ platforms like POKA and LMS, and ensure training reaches both corporate and field locations with measurable