Senior Technical Trainer

Smurfit Westrock; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Senior Technical Trainer who will own technical training activities and lead a team of trainers. Reporting to the site General Manager, you will oversee certification programs and the development, implementation, and assessment of training initiatives.

You will manage LMS records, collaborate with site leaders and SMEs, and drive continuous improvements while ensuring safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical training programs in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvements in training processes.
• Ability to introduce new learning technologies and methods.
• Strong relationship-building across departments and teams.
• Sound problem-solving with timely decision-making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily tasks of technical trainers, ensuring alignment with site objectives.
• Track performance and development of trainers, with growth opportunities.
• Ensure training materials and methods meet deadlines and quality standards.
• Lead design, development, and delivery of technical training programs.
• Manage lifecycle of programs including New Hire Orientation and OJT.
• Monitor effectiveness and implement continuous improvements in training.
• Maintain accurate LMS records of training completion and certification.
• Collaborate with site leadership to create long-term skills strategies.
• Ensure training activities comply with safety, quality, and operations standards.
• Conduct technical training sessions on all shifts as needed.
• Lead local learning solutions including SOPs and guided workflows.
• Assist in candidate assessment and hiring decisions related to skills.
• Identify skill gaps and develop targeted training solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Growth & Results

Innovation

Influence

Decision Making

Communication

Tools

LMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

TheThe Senior Technical Trainer holds ownership of technical training activities and plays a critical leadership role in guiding a team of technical trainers. Reporting directly to the site General Manager/Plant Manager and with a dotted line to Operations Learning & Development, the Senior Technical Trainer ensures the successful completion of Operator/Craft Job Certification programs and other related training initiatives. This role will oversee the development, implementation, and assessment of training programs, in partnership with site leadership/ department subject matter experts (SMEs), acting as a key leader in the learning & development system, while also managing the technical trainers, day-to-day.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee and coordinate the daily tasks of technical trainers, ensuring alignment with site objectives and training standards.
• Track the performance and development of technical trainers, conducting regular assessments and providing opportunities for professional growth.
• Ensure the technical training team meets deadlines and maintains the quality of training materials and methods.
• Lead the design, development, and delivery of technical training programs, ensuring alignment with operational goals and certification requirements.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of technical training programs, including New Hire Orientation, On-boarding, and On-the-Job Training (OJT).
• Monitor the effectiveness of training programs by tracking progress and evaluating training outcomes; implement continuous improvements as needed.
• Manage and maintain accurate records of training completion and certification status in the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Collaborate with site leadership and Area Operations Learning & Development Leaders to create and implement long-term strategies for skills development and certification processes.
• Ensure that all technical training activities are in compliance with organizational safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Drive initiatives to improve the overall efficiency of training programs and minimize unnecessary risk by reducing the time required for training completion.
• Personally conduct technical training sessions on all shifts as needed, ensuring full comprehension and adherence to training standards.
• Act as the key trainer for site-specific learning solutions, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guided workflows, and technical learning aids.
• Engage directly in the hiring process, assessing the technical skills of potential candidates and contributing to hiring decisions.
• Lead the continuous improvement of training processes by identifying skill gaps, conducting gap analyses, and developing targeted training solutions.
• Support the development of local training materials and solutions to address operational needs and drive performance improvements.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with trainees, team members, and cross-functional leaders to ensure cohesive training efforts.
• Partner with department managers (safety, quality, etc.) to align training initiatives with overall business goals and compliance requirements.
• Additional duties as assigned

How you will impact WestRock:

• Improve local team performance through increasing skills and time to certification (i.e., new hires and cross training)
• Cost eliminator driving training efficiencies across roles, saving unnecessary risk, and reducing the time allotted for training – a continuous improvement mindset
• Culture Contributor – lead by example and demonstrate Smurfit Westrock values daily

What you need to succeed:

Critical Skills/ Capabilities:

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and develop a team of trainers, including coaching, performance tracking, and fostering professional growth.
• Growth and Results-Oriented: Ability to drive continuous improvement in training processes and outcomes, resulting in optimized team performance and quicker certification times.
• Innovation : Capability to introduce new learning technologies and processes, integrating training seamlessly into daily operations.
• Influence: Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, fostering teamwork and collaboration across departments and teams.
• Decision-Making: Sound problem-solving abilities, with a knack for making timely and well-informed decisions.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with all shifts and personnel in a manufacturing setting.

Technical Skills:

• Training Management: 3+ years of experience in leading technical training programs, with a background in manufacturing preferred.
• LMS Expertise : Familiarity with Learning Management Systems and the ability to manage training records and assignments.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), with experience creating training materials.

OthersQualification:

• Facilitation/ Presentation Skills
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
• Professionalism and Accountability

What we offer:

• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive wage, reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of our daily work

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.