Plant Training Coordinator - Wharton

Refresco; Wharton (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Refresco Beverages US Inc. seeks a Plant Training Coordinator to oversee training across Operations, Quality and technical functions. You will ensure induction, cross-training, and process-change training align with Refresco NA plans, while maintaining training materials and leveraging local/state incentives.

You will partner with site leadership, HR Business Partner, and corporate training to standardize programs, SOPs, and training records, including grant opportunities where available.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-speed beverage manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, SAP and PowerPoint; Alchemy experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated training experience in a production environment with strong project management skills.
• Lean manufacturing knowledge; problem-solving oriented.

Responsibilities

• Oversee training in Operations, Quality, and technical roles.
• Maintain Training records and LMS usage (Alchemy).
• Coordinate training with plant leadership and HR Business Partner.
• Develop and maintain plant SOPs; ensure broad dissemination.

Skills

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Project management

Lean manufacturing

Communication

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Undergraduate degree (preferred)

Tools

SAP

Alchemy

Job description

Make a Difference in YOUR Career! Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.

Make a Difference in YOUR Career! Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table. We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia. Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks. Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We are solutions-based. We are innovative. We seek out new challenges and conquer them. This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best. Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table?

Summary Description

Reporting to the Regional Manager, HR, the Plant Training Coordinator oversees training in Operations, Quality, and technical roles. They ensure new employees complete induction requirements and current employees complete cross-training and process change training, working closely with supervisors and managers. The coordinator collaborates with the HR Business Partner and Plant Leadership to maintain accurate training materials and aligns the plant's training plan with Refresco NA’s. They also stay updated on local and state training programs and incentives.

Essential Job Functions

• Adhere to all health and safety policies/procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and PPE requirements.
• Adhere to food quality and food safety as per the standard(s) provided by corporate, customer, and/or governing bodies (ex. SQF).
• Develop, plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate training activities focused on job competence and continuous improvement. Collaborate closely with site technical experts in operations, maintenance, and other technical functions to ensure effective training outcomes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for plant employees, leadership, third parties, and during site audits for training requests and issues.
• Ensure proper use of the Learning Management System (Alchemy) to track and manage training. Accurately record training registers, certificates, and test/authorization results.
• Maintain training records for all employees including agency staff.
• Coordinate and schedules training together with plant leadership, plant HR Business Partner, Supervisors and Line Leads.
• Proactively develop, document, and maintain plant-specific SOPs, ensuring they are shared with all levels of plant leadership.
• Work closely with corporate training manager (dotted line relationship) for guidance, coaching, and input on objectives.
• Collaborate with the corporate training manager and peers to determine where to focus specialized efforts in order to share expertise and resources with across sites.
• Build a network within Refresco NA Operations and HR focused on training initiatives.
• Support department and line managers in identifying training gaps and assist in scheduling relevant training.
• Work within the constraints of the plant and Refresco NA budget for training.
• Assess training effectiveness to ensure incorporation of knowledge, skills, and techniques into employee work behaviors and processes. Ensure standardization of departmental training representatives/facilitators
• Document training procedures.
• Prepare and distribute training aids, instructional materials, handouts, evaluation forms and visual aids.
• Identify, apply for, and leverage State and Local training grants.
• Collaborate with local technical schools to meet training needs.
• Ability to actively seek grant opportunities.

Required Skills

• Experience in high-speed food/beverage manufacturing preferred.
• Proficient in Excel, Word, SAP and Power Point, experience with Alchemy and/or other training system a plus.
• Demonstrated training experience in a production environment combined with strong project management skills.
• Strong project management skills, understands continuous improvement and lean manufacturing.
• Strong team player able to work across multiple functions.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems, results oriented.
• Ability to work under deadline pressures.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.

Competencies

• Communication Skills – Strong verbal and written communication skills for delivering training, collaborating with teams, and conveying complex information clearly.
• Technical Knowledge – Understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, and systems to ensure relevant and effective training content.
• Leadership and Facilitation – Ability to lead training sessions and engage participants, ensuring knowledge transfer and skill development.
• Collaboration – Strong teamwork skills to work with various departments (HR, Operations, Technical) and external partners (technical schools, grant agencies).
• Organizational Skills – Ability to manage multiple training initiatives, track progress, and maintain detailed records.
• Problem-Solving – Assess training needs, identify gaps, and develop solutions to improve employee competence and performance.
• Adaptability – Flexibility to adjust training programs and approaches based on changing plant needs, technology, or regulatory requirements.
• Project Management – Plan, organize, and execute training projects, ensuring they are completed within time and budget constraints.

Education and Experience

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent (GED). Undergraduate degree in a related field preferred.
• 1-5 years of relevant work experience in training and/or Human Resources in a manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions

• Work Schedule: Weekdays, weekends, afternoon, evenings, overnight and holidays may be required.
• Work Environment: Operating in a fast-paced production plant with numerous moving parts. Noise levels require hearing protection and temperatures can get very hot and/or relatively cold. The environment is structured and supervised, with clear production targets and schedules to meet.

Travel Requirements

• Travel anticipated: Rarely

Physical Requirements

• R = Rarely (0-15%) O = Occasionally (16-45%) F = Frequently (46-100%)
• Stand or Sit
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Lifting 50 lbs. (minimum lbs. lifted 5 lbs.)
• Carry weight, lift
• Walking
• Driving
• Climb (stairs/ladders) or balance
• Visual/Sensory – This position requires strong attention to detail, engaging one or more senses simultaneously.
• Mental Stress- There is pronounced pressure from deadlines, KPI attainment, accuracy or similar demands.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

A Career with Refresco

Refresco Beverages US Inc. offers the following competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:

Pay Range: $60k - $75k, plus eligibility for performance-based bonuses based on company objectives.

Cell Phone Allowance: $31.75/month

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and AD'DD Insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Short-term disability and long-term disability
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Benefits
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Days and Paid Sick Time OffDays
• Well-being Benefit
• Discount and Total Reward Programs

The applicant who is hired will receive wages within the range that will be based on several factors, including, as applicable, criteria such as years and type of experience, relevant education, training, qualifications, certifications/licensing, skills, geographic location, performance, market considerations, seniority system, merit system, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, and business or organizational needs.

Refresco Beverages US Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, Veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.