Manager Training & Development

Postings; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a Training & Development Manager to lead onboarding, skills development, and compliance training across the company. You will partner with leaders to design effective programs that strengthen capabilities, promote safety, improve product quality, and support operational excellence.

Responsibilities include coordinating structured onboarding, delivering hands‑on training, assessing readiness, and developing ongoing programs spanning blueprint

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 3–5 years of experience in employee training, learning and development, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing and delivering training programs across multiple departments.
• Ability to deliver hands‑on technical training and assess competency.
• Working knowledge of OSHA requirements and safety training needs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee onboarding programs, training schedules, and role‑specific checklists with department leaders.
• Deliver and supervise new hire training across departments, ensuring comprehension of responsibilities, procedures, quality, and safety.
• Conduct skills assessments and evaluate readiness before independent work starts.
• Develop ongoing training to strengthen technical skills, workmanship, and performance.
• Coordinate production training in blueprint reading, shop math, MIG welding, assembly procedures, and safe equipment operation.
• Coordinate training for new equipment, tooling, processes, and system changes.
• Partner with Engineering/Operations/Quality to identify gaps and set training priorities.
• Maintain training materials, SOPs, job aids, and learning resources.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and implement improvements as needed.
• Maintain training records, certifications, and renewal schedules for compliance.

Skills

Onboarding

Training program design

Safety training

Facilitation

Curriculum development

Needs assessment

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a Training & Development Manager to lead company-wide employee onboarding, technical skills development, and compliance training. This position partners with leaders across departments to develop effective training programs that strengthen employee capabilities, promote workplace safety, improve product quality, and support operational excellence.

Employee Onboarding & Skills Development

• Develop and coordinate structured onboarding programs, training schedules, and role‑specific checklists in collaboration with department leaders.
• Deliver and oversee new hire training across multiple departments, ensuring employees understand job responsibilities, company procedures, quality expectations, and safety requirements.
• Conduct hands‑on skills assessments and evaluate employee readiness before authorizing independent job performance.
• Develop ongoing training programs to strengthen technical proficiency, workmanship, problem‑solving, and employee performance.
• Support production training in areas such as blueprint and specification reading, shop math, MIG welding, assembly procedures, and safe equipment operation.

Technical Training & Process Improvement

• Coordinate training for new equipment, tooling, manufacturing processes, systems, and procedural changes.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and other functional leaders to identify skill gaps and establish training priorities.
• Develop and maintain training materials, work instructions, standard operating procedures, job aids, and other learning resources.
• Evaluate training effectiveness through skills assessments, employee observations, performance data, and feedback; implement improvements as needed.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Develop, coordinate, and maintain company-wide safety and compliance training programs in accordance with applicable OSHA requirements and company policies.
• Oversee training related to personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard recognition, overhead crane operation, and other applicable workplace safety requirements.
• Maintain accurate training records, certifications, and renewal schedules to support regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
• Identify potential workplace hazards and collaborate with appropriate leaders to reinforce safe work practices and address training needs.

Training Administration & Collaboration

• Maintain organized training documentation, attendance records, assessment results, certifications, and compliance forms.
• Monitor employee training completion and communicate outstanding requirements to department leadership.
• Establish consistent training standards across departments while adapting programs to individual job requirements and employee experience levels.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.
• 3–5 years of experience in employee training, learning and development, technical training, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing and delivering training programs across multiple departments or job functions.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver hands‑on technical training and assess employee competency.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety training requirements.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical specifications, understand basic shop math, and follow manufacturing procedures.
• Manufacturing experience, particularly in welding, metal fabrication, assembly, or industrial operations, is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage training records, certifications, and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage employees at varying experience levels and across multiple shifts.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify training gaps and implement effective solutions.