Operations Training Specialist - MD

The Gill Corporation - Maryland; Edgewood (WA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full range of medical benefits, dental

Life Insurance

401(K)

Paid Vacation and 10 Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee discounts to theme parks

Job summary

The Gill Corporation is a Maryland-based manufacturer providing high-quality structural core materials for aerospace, marine, and industrial markets. The Operations Training Specialist will design, implement, and manage the training program to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency in the plant.

You will develop curricula, evaluate operator proficiency, and lead continuous improvement projects related to operational excellence, partnering with engineering, quality, and safety teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical/engineering degree or equivalent training desired.
• Minimum 5 years in manufacturing or related industrial environment; aerospace/composites preferred.
• Supervisory/leadership experience in manufacturing or operations is a plus.
• Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools; SAP preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain a structured training and OJT program for operators and lines.
• Conduct hands-on technical training on equipment, processes, safety, quality, SOPs, and EHS.
• Evaluate and certify operator proficiency; perform periodic audits of qualified operators.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Operations to develop SOPs, work instructions, and standard work.
• Identify training gaps and opportunities to improve throughput, quality, and efficiency.
• Participate in Kaizen, 5S, VSM, time studies, and root-cause analysis (8D/5-Why/Fishbone).
• Maintain audit-ready training records per AS9100/Nadcap; track KPIs.
• Coordinate with plant leadership and shop-floor on training, safety, and quality.
• Establish proficiency milestones and timelines from onboarding to autonomy.
• Perform duties in accordance with safety policies and report unsafe conditions.
• Design, build, and maintain a curriculum for manufacturing operators and lines.
• Conduct training for new hires and existing operators on machinery and quality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Training program design

Operator proficiency assessment

Continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing

SAP

MS Office

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical/engineering degree or equivalent training

Military technical training (optional)

Tools

SAP

MS Office suite

Job description

Who We Are:

The Gill Corporation-Maryland has long been a leader in providing high-quality, lightweight structural core materials to the aerospace, marine, construction, rail, and industrial markets. We specialize in a wide variety of structural honeycomb core materials. By utilizing broad engineering expertise along with sophisticated 5-axis CNC machining and special processing, we have the ability to deliver solutions that are responsive to customer needs.

Compensation for this role:

$88,000.00 - $110,000.00, commensurate with experience.

On-site - Monday through Friday. Relocation assistance is not available for this role.

Summary:

The Operations Training Specialist designs, implements, and manages the operational training program to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency within the aerospace manufacturing plant. This role is responsible for developing training curricula , evaluating operator proficiencies , and conducting periodic process audits. Additionally, this individual serves as a key member for continuous improvement projects related to operational excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Design, develop, and maintain a structured training and OJT program for manufacturing operators, including training curricula, qualification pathways, proficiency milestones, competency matrices, and cross-training requirements.
• Conduct hands-on technical training for new and existing operators on equipment, manufacturing processes, safety requirements, quality standards, SOPs, and applicable EHS and chemical-handling requirements.
• Evaluate and certify operator proficiency through practical assessments, demonstrated performance, quality results, and established competency requirements; periodically audit qualified operators to ensure continued compliance.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Operations to develop, review, and improve SOPs, work instructions, visual aids, and standard work to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and ease of use.
• Identify training gaps, production bottlenecks, recurring quality issues, process variation, and opportunities to improve workforce capability, production flow, cycle time, scrap, waste, and overall operational efficiency.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), time studies, and structured root-cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone analysis.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready training, qualification, certification, and continuous improvement records in accordance with Company requirements and applicable aerospace quality standards, including AS9100 and applicable Nadcap requirements.
• Develop, track, analyze, and report training and operational KPIs, including training completion, operator qualification, cross-training coverage, quality performance, cycle-time efficiency, scrap reduction, and continuous improvement results.
• Serve as a liaison between plant leadership, Engineering, Quality, Safety, supervisors, trainers, and shop-floor employees to promote consistent training, standard work, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear proficiency milestones and standard timelines to systematically track an operator's progress from onboarding to full autonomy.
• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with departmental and plant safety requirements and promptly report unsafe conditions to the appropriate member of management.
• Design, build, and maintain a structured, matrixed training curriculum for all manufacturing operators and production lines.
• Conduct hands-on technical training for new hires and existing operators on machinery, assembly techniques, safety protocols, and quality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Required

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering field (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering) OR equivalent technical training/military experience in a related field desired.
• Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, production, or a related industrial environment. Aerospace, composites, or advanced metallic fabrication preferred.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, planning, or scheduling desired.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools; experience with SAP preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team setting.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes with mechanical aptitude and the ability to translate technical concepts into practical instruction.
• Ability to multitask in a high-paced manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with general business practices and operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Access.
• Must have English reading, writing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to read, write, understand, and communicate the company operating procedures and policies.

The following needs to be added to all postings!

Benefits offered:

• Full range of medical benefits, dental, vision
• Life Insurance
• 401(K)
• Paid Vacation and 10 Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee discounts to theme parks, attractions, shows, and more!

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A U.S. person, according to their definition, is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee.

The Gill Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

The Gill Corporation provides reasonable accommodations

to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law. If you require accommodation in the application process, please notify the Human Resources Department.