Production Trainer

Johnson Outdoors Inc.; Mankato, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401k with company match

Tuition assistance

Profit sharing

Annual pay increases

Job summary

Johnson Outdoors in Minnesota is seeking a Training Program Specialist to assess training needs, design development plans, and deliver scalable trainer programs across production teams.

You will partner with leadership, manufacturing engineering, safety and quality to implement training that improves efficiency, quality and safety on the shop floor, including vendor training when needed.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in business administration, education or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a training capacity in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lead a team under tight deadlines while maintaining positive employee relations.
• Experience developing and implementing training materials, tutorials and assessments.
• Proactive, analytical thinker with strong research skills and problem solving.
• Proficient in analyzing processes and data to identify training needs.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates training needs, current practices, gaps, and creates a training development plan.
• Partners with leadership and teams to develop programs, materials, and presentations for production staff.
• Develops train-the-trainer programs and delivers effective training across processes.
• Recruits external vendors when needed and schedules them to meet training needs.
• Maintains production process sheets and trains job-specific trainers on methods.
• Works with engineering to create equipment training and ensures completion.
• Uses quality and EARS data to measure training effectiveness and updates.
• Performs build area training on various production cells and expands certified soldering training.

Skills

Team leadership

Training materials

Proactive researcher

Data analysis

Innovative training

Verbal communication

Safety knowledge

Decision making

Learning agility

Organizational skills

MS Office

AI tools

Standing/walking

Education

Associates degree in business administration, education or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Evaluates training needs, practices and gaps to develop training plans and materials to increase efficiencies and quality. Develops train the trainer programs which help accelerate learning and consistent training processes. Partners with leadership, manufacturing engineering, safety and quality to evaluate practices, and develop and implement training programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluates training needs, current practices, gaps, and creating and delivering a training development plan.
• Partners with leadership, manufacturing engineering, safety, and quality to develop the training program, materials and presentations used to train production employees and provide new hire orientation. Develops and implements a train the trainer program to ensure effective training programs are delivered to all staff on processes. Reviews efficiency of program and updates as needed.
• Establishes programs and training methods to provide daily training to all production associates ensuring the employees have the knowledge and capability to be effective, efficient, and safe. Assists employees in understanding how to run various production lines and be able to float based on fluctuating production needs to ensure effective departmental operations.
• Recruits and schedules external vendors to deliver training programs to meet specific training needs when warranted.
• Alerts leadership of any potential performance or behavioral issues with new employees.
• Partners with the manufacturing/production team to understand and define processes to ensure efficiency and product quality.
• Creates production process sheet (direction on how to complete a production process) formats for production staff, maintains, and updates as needed. Provides training and feedback to job-specific trainers on training methods used to teach employees how to perform their job accurately and efficiently.
• Works with manufacturing engineering to create specific equipment training and ensures training is completed.
• Utilizes quality and EARS data to determine effectiveness of training and updates as needed.
• Performs specific build area training on various production cells on the production floor.
• Builds on and expands specific certified soldering training program.

Technology and AI Integration

• Appropriately uses approved AI, other digital technologies applying an AI-first mindset to support assigned work and improve efficiency, quality and consistency. Applies judgment and human oversight when using AI-generated outputs, follows company guidelines for technology use, and escalates concerns regarding outputs, accuracy, or proper use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY/MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Education: Associates degree in business administration, education or equivalent.

Experience: Typically requires a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a training capacity in a manufacturing environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team and work under tight deadlines while maintaining positive employee relations.
• Experience developing and implementing training materials, tutorials, assessments, testing and other processes to ensure the effectiveness of the learning and development activities.
• Ability to be proactive and possess strong research skills, resolve issues and drive training initiatives independently or within a team environment.
• Ability to analyze processes and data to determine training needs and develop materials.
• Ability to provide innovative training techniques which mirror current industry trends and standards
• Demonstrated excellent verbal presentation and communication skills to provide effective guidance and training to new team members.
• High knowledge level of safety, 5S housekeeping systems and quality guidelines which should be followed in a production/manufacturing environment
• Ability to make independent and effective decisions.
• Ability to successfully learn new skills and processes.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Basic understanding of how AI/digital tools support daily work, with the ability to follow guidance and adapt to new tools or processes
• Ability to spend the majority of the day standing, walking, lifting and bending.

A few pointers about our culture:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out there. We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about inspiring people to actively engage with the amazing awe of the outdoors again and again. We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands. We value diversity and team members who are willing to wear multiple hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask for help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive:

• Share in the company’s success - Competitive base salary, with additional earning potential through participation in the annual discretionary cash profit sharing program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find your work/life balancewith generous paid time off and holiday benefits, health insurance and wellness plans.
• Further your careerwith training opportunities including our tuition assistance program.
• Plan for your futurewith our 401k with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, life and LTD insurance, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Johnson Outdoors (and all subsidiaries) without regard to race; creed; color; religion; national origin; sex; age; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; genetic predisposition or carrier status; veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law. Johnson Outdoors is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

About Us:

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include.: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries, and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $663 million global enterprise with around 1,300 employees across 20 countries.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.