Training Manager

Ahlstrom-5; Kaukauna (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlstrom's Thilmany Plant in Kaukauna, WI is seeking a Training Manager who will lead employee training and workforce development for a unionized pulp and paper facility. You will partner with operations, safety, quality, and environmental teams to build skills for safe, efficient performance.

The role oversees training strategy, qualification programs, records, and onboarding, while supporting operational excellence and a strong safety culture.

Qualifications

• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, organizational development, industrial technology, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience in a heavy manufacturing environment and with unionized settings.
• Experience administering training systems and maintaining training records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Learning Management Systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the facility's training strategy to align with needs, safety standards, and labor requirements.
• Manage the training matrix and qualification systems to ensure certifications and competencies.
• Own the learning management system and develop technical training materials.
• Participate in onboarding for new hires with safety training and qualification programs.
• Coordinate compliance and refresher training programs and support audits.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/organizational development/industrial technology

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Requisition ID5804-Posted09/09/2026-Protective Materials-Technical Materials BU-Thilmany Plant-Kaukauna- Posting Country (1)

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people,like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth. Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team,Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!?

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Technical Manager, the Training Manager leads employee training and workforce development programs for a unionized pulp and paper manufacturing facility. This role partners with operations, maintenance, safety, quality, and environmental teams to build the skills needed for safe, efficient performance.

The position oversees technical skills training, compliance requirements, qualification programs, and hourly training records while supporting operational excellence, employee engagement, and a strong safety culture.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities:

Training Strategy and Program Management

• Develop and execute the facility's training strategy to align with the mill’s needs, workforce needs, safety standards, and labor agreement requirements where applicable.
• Continuously improve comprehensive training programs for hourly employees.
• Manage the facility training matrix and qualification systems to ensure employees maintain required certifications and competencies.
• Establish annual training plans, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Identify skill gaps and implement targeted development plans to improve workforce proficiency.
• Own the learning management system for the mill
• Develop and oversee development of technical training materials

New Employee Onboarding and Qualification

• Participate in the onboarding process for new hires, including orientation, safety training, and job-specific qualification programs.
• Ensure training programs support successful employee integration into the workforce while maintaining compliance with contractual requirements.
• Monitor employee progress and recommend interventions where additional support or development is needed.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Partner with Safety and Environmental teams to ensure compliance with all OSHA, EPA, DOT, company, and industry-specific training requirements.
• Maintain training records and documentation required for regulatory audits and inspections.
• Coordinate annual compliance and refresher training programs.
• Support incident investigations by identifying training-related opportunities and corrective actions.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to assess training program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead initiatives to improve workforce capability, qualification timelines, and training and learning efficiency.
• Benchmark best practices within manufacturing and the pulp and paper industry.
• Support operational excellence, lean manufacturing, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Expand team member’s skills and engagement to support future initiatives such as operator basic care, lead positions, troubleshooting skills, etc.

Minimum Occupational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, organizational development, industrial technology, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Operational experience in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3 years of progressive training, learning and development, operations, or workforce development experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience working in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and workforce development practices.
• Experience administering training systems and maintaining training records.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Learning Management Systems.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• Ability to work a weekend duty rotation and off hours as needs demand

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout their employment. The Company does not sponsor employment visas for this position.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. About Us. Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.