Learning & Development Specialist

UNFI; Providence (RI); Remote; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

401K

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

FSA/HSA

Job summary

UNFI is hiring a Learning & Development Specialist to deliver and coordinate instructor-led and virtual training, ensuring engaging experiences and effective knowledge transfer. You will manage logistics, records, and reporting while supporting enterprise learning initiatives across the HR Corporate team.

This remote role supports national colleagues, with occasional office visits as needed, and requires 2–4 years in learning and development, strong facilitation, and solid communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years of experience in learning and development, training, human resources, education, operations, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating training programs, workshops, or learning events.
• Experience facilitating classroom or virtual learning preferred.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Lean Six Sigma knowledge preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates instructor-led and virtual learning programs across a variety of topics including onboarding, leadership development, systems training, and professional development initiatives.
• Delivers engaging learning experiences that promote knowledge retention, skill development and application of learning on the job.
• Observes, audits, and assesses training delivery conducted by store-level trainers to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Provides coaching and feedback to trainers to improve facilitation skills, learner engagement, and training outcomes.
• Manages learning program logistics, including scheduling, communications, enrollment, participant support, materials preparation, and reporting.
• Maintains learning records, attendance tracking, completion reporting, and program documentation.
• Supports administration of learning systems and related technologies.
• Collects and reports program participation, completion, and feedback data.
• Provides operational support for enterprise learning initiatives and special projects.
• Maintains strong working relationships with learners, facilitators, managers, and stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Facilitation

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Communication

Office Suite

LMS

Adult learning

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Learning technologies

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Job Location Requirement

Candidate must be located in Minneapolis MN metro area

Job Overview

The Learning & Development Specialist is responsible for the delivery, facilitation, coordination, and administration of learning and development programs that support associate growth and organizational performance. This role serves as a primary facilitator instructor‑led and virtual learning experiences, ensuring engaging, effective, and consistent training delivery.

This role works closely with members of the Learning & Development team and business stakeholders to ensure learning initiatives are executed effectively and consistently.

The Learning & Development Specialist manages program logistics, facilitates designated training programs, maintains learning records, monitors participation and completion, and supports the overall learner experience.

What does it mean to be a part of our HR Corporate team?

While providing remote support to our national colleagues, our HR Corporate team ensures effective execution of human resources strategies and strategic HR planning. This includes areas such as Talent & Culture, Workforce Planning, Talent Acquisition, Engagement & Events, Recognition, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Learning & Development, Associate Relations, Compensation, DEI, Benefits & Wellness, Labor Relations, and Philanthropy. In addition, this team plays a pivotal role in our current transformation journey. They are instrumental in helping to develop, train, and retain the right talent, that is fully engaged with this strategy, as well as embodying a true “people first” mindset to help drive UNFI’s company culture of collaboration and engagement.

Job Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Facilitates instructor‑led and virtual learning programs across a variety of topics including onboarding, leadership development, systems training, and professional development initiatives.
• Delivers engaging learning experiences that promote knowledge retention, skill development and application of learning on the job.
• Observes, audits, and assesses training delivery conducted by store‑level trainers to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Provides coaching and feedback to trainers to improve facilitation skills, learner engagement, and training outcomes.
• Manages learning program logistics, including scheduling, communications, enrollment, participant support, materials preparation, and reporting.
• Maintains learning records, attendance tracking, completion reporting, and program documentation.
• Supports administration of learning systems and related technologies.
• Collects and reports program participation, completion, and feedback data.
• Provides operational support for enterprise learning initiatives and special projects.
• Maintains strong working relationships with learners, facilitators, managers, and stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience.

Experience

• 2‑4 years of experience in learning and development, training, human resources, education, operations, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating training programs, workshops, or learning events.
• Experience facilitating classroom or virtual learning preferred.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Lean Six Sigma knowledge preferred but not required.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Strong organization, planning, and attention to detail.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and learning technologies.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems.
• Basic understanding of adult learning principles.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder support skills.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.
• This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands

• Most work is performed in a temperature‑controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

About UNFI: We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above‑referenced pay rate (or within the above‑referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington‑specific paid time off details.

• Paid Time Off
• Sick Time
• paid holidays and parental leave
• 401K Program
• medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance
• short‑term and long‑term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.