Learning & Development Specialist, Paper Mill

Ahlstrom; Rhinelander (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlstrom in Rhinelander, WI is seeking a Learning & Development Specialist to lead hourly workforce training initiatives, onboarding, and qualification programs, partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Quality, and HR to build a safe, productive, and high-performing team.

You will own the LMS, maintain training records, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement through data and SOP alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Education, or related field.
• Experience with training compliance and competency-based learning.
• Experience in manufacturing/industrial settings preferred.
• Lean or Continuous Improvement experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce development initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
• Develop, implement, and maintain onboarding, qualification, and training programs.
• Administer LMS, maintain training records, and ensure audit readiness.

Skills

Training development

LMS administration

Cross-functional teamwork

Compliance and audit readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Ed

Tools

Learning Management System (LMS)

Job description

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.

Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!

We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!?

The Learning & Development Specialist leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the facility's hourly workforce development and training programs. This role partners with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Quality, and Human Resources to ensure employees have the skills, qualifications, and development opportunities necessary to support a safe, productive, and high-performing workforce.

The position is responsible for the facility's hourly training systems, onboarding processes, qualification programs, apprenticeship initiatives, and workforce development efforts while driving compliance, capability building, and organizational readiness.

Workforce Development

• Lead workforce development initiatives that support organizational and operational goals.
• Identify workforce capability gaps and recommend training and development solutions.
• Support job progression and knowledge transfer strategies.
• Coordinate apprenticeship and skilled trades development programs.

Training & Qualification Programs

• Develop, implement, and maintain onboarding, qualification, certification, and training programs.
• Partner with department leaders to establish and maintain job-specific training requirements.
• Coordinate training related to new equipment, processes, procedures, and technologies.
• Partner with Operations to develop, document, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) that support safe, consistent work practices and align with training and qualification requirements.
• Support cross-training efforts that improve workforce flexibility and business continuity.

Training Systems & Compliance

• Administer and maintain the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Ensure training records are accurate, complete, and audit ready.
• Monitor training compliance and provide reporting to leadership.
• Conduct periodic reviews of training effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement

Trainer & Organizational Support

• Develop and support departmental trainers and subject matter experts.
• Facilitate Train-the-Trainer programs and coaching opportunities.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen employee development and engagement.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyze workforce development metrics and recommend actions.
• Lead initiatives that improve training effectiveness, efficiency, and employee readiness.
• Benchmark best practices and implement improvements where appropriate

Preferred Experience:

• Manufacturing or industrial experience (union experience)
• Apprenticeship or skilled trades development experience.
• Experience with training compliance, qualifications, or competency-based learning systems.
• Continuous Improvement or Lean experience.
• Continuous Improvement or Lean experience.

Education:

• Bachelors degree - In HR, Business, Education, Organizational Development, Operations, Industrial Technology, Engineering or related field/equivalent experience

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

About Us.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.

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