Training & Educational Programs Manager

TAPPI; Peachtree Corners (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Generous vacation

Training & development opportunities

Collaborative culture

Competitive pay

Job summary

TAPPI is seeking a senior leader to oversee our training programs for the pulp, paper, packaging and converting industries, helping professionals build skills to advance their careers. This hands-on role centers on building lasting relationships with mill managers, plant engineers, safety leaders and corporate learning leaders to design training solutions.

You will partner with SMEs and instructors to shape curriculum, manage the full training portfolio (including the TAPPISAFE safety

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in training.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology, education, safety management, business, or related field.
• Working knowledge of instructional design.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills.
• Genuine passion for workforce development, safety culture, and leadership growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the training department growth plan in coordination with the strategy team.
• Build relationships with training leaders across the industry to identify needs and provide training programs.
• Develop and manage the training budget, forecasts, and revenue and profitability targets.
• Identify sponsorships, partnerships, and new revenue streams.
• Represent training and safety in cross-departmental initiatives.
• Partner with instructional designers, SMEs, and course developers to set curriculum direction and priorities.
• Oversee evaluation and continuous improvement of courses, certifications, workshops, and digital learning.
• Manage the IACET relationship and oversee the audit and accreditation process.
• Work with course instructors to establish learning outcomes and measure training effectiveness.
• Make safety training and orientation a core part of the training portfolio.
• Expand TAPPISAFE adoption among mills, plants, suppliers, and contractors.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales on strategy, campaigns and lead generation.
• Set growth targets for TAPPISAFE customer acquisition, retention, revenue, and satisfaction.
• Serve as the primary contact for major training customers and strategic partners.
• Track program performance, ROI, and workforce trends, including safety and training-completion data.
• Travel approximately 25–40% to mills, member companies, and industry events to build and nurture relationships.

Skills

Public speaking

Written communication

Instructional design

Leadership

Workforce development

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/industrial tech/education/safety management/business

Advanced degree (MBA/MS/MEd) preferred

Tools

Learning management systems

AI-enabled learning platforms

Job description

TAPPI is seeking a leader to oversee our training programs and help professionals across the pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries build the skills they need to advance their careers. Our industry is one of the most sustainable and green in the world, and this role is essential to closing the skills gap by helping professionals learn and grow.

This is a hands-on leadership role, and building strong relationships is central to its success. If you enjoy building relationships, you’ll have the opportunity to cultivate lasting relationships with mill managers, plant engineers, safety leaders, and corporate learning leaders to provide training solutions.

You will partner with subject matter experts and course instructors to build the curriculum for training courses and orientation programs, and manage the full training portfolio, including courses and the TAPPISAFE® safety orientation program. You will also manage the department as a business, including tracking performance metrics and developing and managing the training budget.

What You’ll Do:

Manage the Department

• Lead development of the training department growth plan in coordination with the strategy team.
• Build relationships with training leaders across the industry to identify needs and provide training programs.
• Develop and manage the training budget, forecasts, and revenue and profitability targets.
• Identify sponsorships, partnerships, and new revenue streams.
• Represent training and safety in cross-departmental initiatives.

Shape the Education Portfolio

• Partner with instructional designers, subject matter experts (SMEs), and course developers to set curriculum direction and priorities.
• Oversee evaluation and continuous improvement of courses, certifications, workshops, and digital learning.
• Manage the IACET relationship and oversee the audit and accreditation process.
• Work with course instructors to establish learning outcomes and measure training effectiveness.

Safety Orientation

• Make safety training and orientation a core part of the training portfolio.
• Expand TAPPISAFE® adoption among mills, plants, suppliers, and contractors.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales on strategy, campaigns and lead generation.
• Set growth targets for TAPPISAFE® customer acquisition, retention, revenue, and satisfaction.

Build Industry Relationships

• Serve as the primary contact for major training customers and strategic partners.
• Track program performance, ROI, and workforce trends, including safety and training-completion data.
• Travel approximately 25–40% to mills, member companies, and industry events to build and nurture relationships.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of experience in training.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial technology, education, safety management, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Working knowledge of instructional design.
• Strong public speaking and written communication skills.
• Genuine passion for workforce development, safety culture, and leadership growth.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, MEd, or similar).
• Grant writing and management experience for workforce development funding.
• Experience with learning management systems and digital or AI-enabled learning platforms.
• Certifications in safety, project management, training, or adult learning

What we’ll set you up with:

• Competitive pay, based on experience
• Exceptional company culture – we work hard but have fun too!
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Generous vacation policy
• Training opportunities and ability to work with different groups/teams to expand your skillset
• Opportunity to work with one of the best teams in our industry

About TAPPI:

TAPPI is the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and converting industries and publishers of Paper360° Magazine, Tissue360° Magazine and TAPPI Journal. Through information exchange, events, trusted content and networking opportunities, TAPPI helps members elevate their performance by providing solutions that lead to better, faster, and more cost-effective ways of doing business. It has provided management training and networking to industry leaders for more than 110 years. For more information, visit www.tappi.org

TAPPI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail]