Training Documentation Specialist - Manufacturing

HireTalent - Staffing & Recruiting Firm; Fairfield (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HireTalent is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Training & Documentation consultant with Industrial Engineer experience to develop and standardize training materials across manufacturing and warehouse operations.

You will spend significant time on the production and warehouse floor observing processes, engaging operators and experts, and translating current and improved processes into practical documentation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, warehouse operations, industrial training, technical writing, process engineering, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing SOPs, work instructions, OJT documentation, or manufacturing training materials.
• Ability to quickly understand manufacturing and warehouse processes through direct observation and employee engagement.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to convert complex processes into concise, operator-friendly instructions.
• Experience working directly with hourly manufacturing or warehouse employees.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio or similar process‑mapping tools.
• Ability to create professional visual documentation incorporating photographs and process diagrams.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as standard work, waste elimination, 5S, visual management, process flow, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Observe and document manufacturing, assembly, testing, warehouse, receiving, material handling, kitting, and inventory processes.
• Partner directly with operators, supervisors, engineers, quality, supply chain, and other subject-matter experts to understand and document current processes.
• Develop clear, visual, operator-friendly SOPs, standard work instructions, training guides and qualification materials, process flow documentation, and checklists.
• Identify inconsistencies, unnecessary process variation, unclear work instructions, and potential efficiency opportunities while documenting processes.
• Facilitate process reviews with operators and subject-matter experts to validate that documentation accurately reflects the approved process.
• Establish document revision controls and support an organized system for maintaining current training materials.
• Assist supervisors and trainers in implementing structured OJT programs and employee qualification processes.
• Develop training matrices and assist in tracking employee training and qualification status.

Skills

Technical writing

Lean manufacturing

Process documentation

Industrial training

Tools

MS Office

Visio

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Training & Documentation consultant to utilize their Industrial Engineer experience to support the development and standardization of training materials across manufacturing and warehouse operations.

This individual will spend significant time on the production and warehouse floor observing processes, engaging operators and subject-matter experts, and translating current and improved processes into clear, practical training documentation. The primary focus will be creating and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Standard Work, Job Instructions, and On-the-Job Training (OJT) materials that improve employee training, process consistency, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical writing and training-development skills with practical manufacturing experience and an understanding of Lean/Continuous Improvement principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Observe and document manufacturing, assembly, testing, warehouse, receiving, material handling, kitting, and inventory processes.
• Partner directly with operators, supervisors, engineers, quality, supply chain, and other subject-matter experts to understand and document current processes.
• Develop clear, visual, operator-friendly:
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Standard Work Instructions
• Training guides and qualification materials
• Process flow documentation
• One-point lessons and visual aids
• Checklists and process verification documents
• Break complex processes into logical, sequential training steps that can be easily understood by new employees.
• Incorporate photographs, illustrations, screenshots, process parameters, quality checkpoints, safety requirements, and critical-to-quality steps into training materials.
• Identify inconsistencies, unnecessary process variation, unclear work instructions, and potential efficiency opportunities while documenting processes.
• Partner with Operations and Continuous Improvement teams to incorporate improved methods into standard work.
• Facilitate process reviews with operators and subject-matter experts to validate that documentation accurately reflects the approved process.
• Establish document revision controls and support an organized system for maintaining current training materials.
• Assist supervisors and trainers in implementing structured OJT programs and employee qualification processes.
• Develop training matrices and assist in tracking employee training and qualification status.
• Support new-hire onboarding and cross-training programs for manufacturing and warehouse employees.
• Conduct periodic floor audits to verify that documented standard work matches actual operating practices.
• Help create a sustainable process for updating training documentation when products, equipment, layouts, or processes change.

Desired Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, warehouse operations, industrial training, technical writing, process engineering, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing SOPs, work instructions, OJT documentation, or manufacturing training materials.
• Ability to quickly understand manufacturing and warehouse processes through direct observation and employee engagement.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to convert complex processes into concise, operator-friendly instructions.
• Experience working directly with hourly manufacturing or warehouse employees.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio or similar process‑mapping tools.
• Ability to create professional visual documentation incorporating photographs and process diagrams.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as standard work, waste elimination, 5S, visual management, process flow, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with structured problem‑solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, A3, 8D, or similar methods is preferred.
• Experience supporting regulated, ISO‑certified, or quality‑controlled manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Experience developing training matrices or qualification/certification programs is a plus.
• The successful candidate should demonstrate:
• Strong floor presence and comfort working directly within manufacturing and warehouse environments.
• Ability to ask effective questions and extract process knowledge from experienced operators and technical experts.
• Strong organizational and project‑management skills.
• Attention to detail and document accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple documentation projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication across hourly employees, supervisors, engineers, and management.
• Continuous‑improvement mindset with the ability to recognize opportunities while documenting processes.
• Practical approach to documentation — materials must be usable on the floor, not simply administratively complete.

Primary Deliverables

• Success in this assignment will be measured by the ability to:
• Develop and/or update prioritized manufacturing and warehouse SOPs and OJT materials.
• Establish consistent templates and standards for site training documentation.
• Create visual, easy‑to‑follow work instructions for critical operational processes.
• Establish training and qualification matrices for applicable departments.
• Reduce reliance on tribal knowledge by converting operator knowledge into documented standard processes.
• Improve new‑hire training effectiveness and time to competency.
• Identify and document process‑improvement opportunities discovered during process observation.
• Establish a sustainable documentation and revision‑control process that can be maintained by the site after completion of the assignment.