Training Manager - Manufacturing

Appvion; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Appvion is seeking an Operations Development Manager to lead workforce planning, scheduling, training coordination, and daily operations. You will manage 4–6 shift supervisors and shape a culture centered on people, accountability, communication, safety, and continuous improvement.

You will partner with HR and operations leaders on attendance, discipline, investigations, and employee relations, while driving standard work and process improvements across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, plant operations or operations leadership.
• Strong ability to plan staffing, schedules, training and workflow.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration with HR, safety and operations.
• Knowledge of labor agreements and attendance management is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach 4–6 shift supervisors to ensure leadership and accountability.
• Oversee workforce planning, scheduling, and overtime management.
• Coordinate training plans and track employee progress and readiness.
• Support employee relations, attendance, discipline, and investigations.
• Partner with HR and operations on safety and staffing priorities.
• Develop and sustain standard work practices across the plant.
• Maintain headcount, staffing reports, and workforce readiness data.

Skills

Leadership

Staffing planning

Training coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem-solving

Microsoft Office

HRIS systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/operations/HR or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS systems

Workforce scheduling software

Job description

The Operations Development Manager oversees workforce planning, scheduling, training coordination, employee support, and daily operational execution across assigned production areas. This role manages approximately 4 to 6 shift supervisors and plays a key role in building a strong culture focused on people, accountability, communication, safety, standard work, training, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, coach, and support approximately 4 to 6 shift supervisors to ensure consistent leadership, communication, accountability, and people-focused execution across shifts.
• Monitor daily workforce needs, maintain staffing coverage, and adjust schedules based on absences, vacations, training needs, and business priorities.
• Post and manage overtime opportunities, weekly schedules, job placements, and workforce assignments in alignment with staffing requirements and labor agreements.
• Coordinate training plans, track employee progress, update training materials or knowledge boards, and support workforce readiness through standard work.
• Respond to employee questions, plant floor concerns, and operational issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Partner with Human Resources and operations leadership on attendance, discipline, investigations, employee relations matters, and follow-up actions.
• Support employee meetings, staffing discussions, safety meetings, and cross-functional operational meetings.
• Assist with safety investigations, document findings, and follow up on corrective actions to support a safe work environment.
• Develop, train, implement, and sustain standard work practices across the plant to improve consistency, accountability, safety, and operational performance.
• Maintain workforce planning tools, headcount tracking, transfer planning, vacancy management, and related reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, human resources, supply chain, manufacturing, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience in manufacturing, plant operations, workforce planning, scheduling, or operational leadership.
• Strong understanding of staffing, scheduling, training coordination, standard work, employee support, and plant floor execution.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations leaders, Human Resources, safety teams, and frontline employees.
• Familiarity with labor agreements, attendance management, overtime administration, transfers, and employee relations practices.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and workforce, scheduling, reporting, or HRIS systems.
• Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, standard work implementation, project leadership, or problem-solving methodology experience preferred.

Work Environment

This role operates in both manufacturing and office environments and requires regular presence on the production floor. The position involves engaging with employees and leaders, responding to real-time operational needs, and remaining flexible to support changing business and staffing priorities.