Training Manager

XL Specialized Trailers; Manchester (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

XL Specialized Trailers in Manchester, IA is seeking a Training Manager to lead onboarding and ongoing skills and compliance training across the organization, ensuring employees are trained safely and in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.

The role partners with department leaders to design programs, deliver hands-on technical training (including welding, fabrication, assembly, and safety protocols), track certifications, and drive continuous improvement in training

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Education, Business, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in training, learning & development, or a related role.
• Experience delivering training across multiple departments or functions; familiarity with production processes such as welding, metal fabrication/assembly.

Responsibilities

• Prepares onboarding schedules and training checklists with department leaders across the organization.
• Delivers onboarding training company-wide, including safety protocols and company policies.
• Administers internal skills assessments and evaluates new hire readiness through hands-on observation.
• Designs and delivers ongoing skills training to reinforce proficiency across departments.
• Maintains compliance training curricula (OSHA, PPE use, hazard identification) across the company.
• Tracks training records, certifications, and renewal schedules for audit readiness.
• Coordinates training for new equipment, tooling, and process changes with engineering and operations.
• Evaluates training effectiveness and adjusts programs based on results.
• Maintains training materials, job aids, SOPs, and e-learning content across departments.
• Documents actions by completing training and compliance forms.
• Maintains safe working environment and uses PPE as required.
• Identifies safety hazards by surveying conditions and reporting findings.
• Contributes to team effort by achieving related results.

Skills

Hands-on training

Technical training

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Training Manager

Location: XL Specialized Trailers – Manchester, IA (On-site)

Reports To: Sr. Director of HR

Position Summary

Generally expected to work as a valued member of the XL Specialized Trailers team. Leads onboarding and ongoing skills and compliance training across the organization, ensuring employees in all departments are trained efficiently, safely, and in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares new hire onboarding schedules and training checklists by partnering with department leaders across the organization to identify role-specific skills and timelines.
• Delivers structured onboarding training for new employees company-wide, covering department-specific skills and procedures, safety protocols, and company policies. For production roles, this includes topics such as blueprint and specification reading, hand-held MIG welding technique, assembly procedures, and safe use of equipment.
• Administers internal skills assessments, including role-specific tests, and evaluates new hire readiness through hands-on observation before sign-off on independent work.
• Designs and delivers ongoing skills training for employees across all departments to reinforce quality workmanship, problem resolution, and job-specific proficiency.
• Develops and maintains compliance training curricula company-wide, including OSHA requirements, personal protective equipment use, overhead crane operation, hazard identification, and other regulatory or policy-driven training.
• Tracks and manages training records, certifications, and renewal schedules across the organization to ensure company-wide compliance and audit readiness.
• Coordinates training for new equipment, tooling, systems, or process changes in partnership with engineering, operations, and other department leaders.
• Evaluates training effectiveness across departments through assessments, observation, and performance metrics; adjusts programs based on results.
• Maintains and updates training materials, job aids, standard operating procedures, and e-learning content for all departments.
• Documents actions by completing training and compliance forms.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations. Wears proper personal protective equipment.
• Identifies and anticipates safety and health concerns and hazards by surveying environmental, operational, and occupational conditions.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing relating results as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides direction and light oversight to trainers or training coordinators supporting onboarding and ongoing program delivery across departments.

Licensing and Certification

None required. Train-the-Trainer or OSHA 30 certification preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Business, or related field required.
• 3-5 years of experience in training, learning & development, or a related role.
• Experience delivering training across multiple departments or functions preferred; familiarity with production processes such as welding, metal fabrication/assembly, or related work is a plus.

Essential skills and Experience

• Proven ability to design and deliver hands-on technical training across a variety of departments and job functions.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and industry-specific compliance requirements.
• Basic understanding of shop math and ability to read blueprints, specifications, and follow procedures.
• Strong organizational skills, including managing training records and certification tracking.
• Attention to quality and pride in workmanship.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at an organizational level.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to train employees across varying experience levels and shifts.
• Commitment to company values.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed indoors, with regular time spent across departments, including the production floor and office settings, depending on the training being delivered.