Training Specialist

Marathon Electric; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Marathon Electric, part of WEG Group, seeks a Training Specialist to onboard and coach new hires and cross-train production staff on the plant floor. You ensure operators understand SOPs, follow safety rules, and meet quality standards before working independently.

You will track progress with skills matrices, update training materials, and mentor seasoned operators across shifts while coordinating with shift Supervisors and Production Managers.

Qualifications

• Onboarding new hires and cross-training production staff.
• Strong ability to teach SOPs, safety procedures, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on onboarding for new hires and cross-training for operators on the floor.
• Demonstrate machinery operation, tool use, material handling, and inspection.
• Enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), PPE compliance, and OSHA regulations on the shop floor.
• Track trainee progress with skills matrices and sign-offs before independent work.
• Maintain training records and mentor senior operators; update manuals as equipment changes.

Job description

Since 1913, Marathon Electric has been dedicated to providing customers with quality motors and generators for targeted applications. Marathon Electric became part of WEG Group in 2024. Founded in 1961, WEG is a global electric-electronic equipment company, operating mainly in the capital goods sector with solutions in electric machines, automation, and paints for several sectors, including infrastructure, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, and mining, among many others. WEG stands out in innovation by constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric mobility. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, WEG has more than 40,000 employees worldwide.

Position Summary

The Training Specialist bridges the gap between hiring and high-level performance. This individual is responsible for the hands-on onboarding, technical coaching, and safety compliance training of all new and cross-training production personnel. Working directly on the plant floor, this position ensures all operators are fully proficient in operating machinery, understanding standard operating procedures, and maintaining high quality and safety benchmarks before working independently.

Hands-On Floor Training & Onboarding

• Lead the physical onboarding process for all production new hires, ensuring a smooth transition into their specific manufacturing lines and work cells.
• Deliver direct, side-by-side instruction on mechanical machinery operation, tool usage, raw material handling, and finished goods inspection.
• Demonstrate core physical competencies and line workflows, acting as the primary point of contact for trainee questions on the floor.
• Facilitate cross-training for existing operators to build line flexibility and prevent production bottlenecks.

SOP Compliance & Safety Verification

• Teach, model, and strictly enforce all company safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) compliance, and OSHA regulations.
• Guide trainees through written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), translating technical documents into practical, physical execution.
• Identify gaps between written procedures and actual floor habits, collaborating with shift supervisors to correct behaviors immediately.

Performance Evaluation & Skill Sign-Offs

• Track, evaluate, and document the daily progress of trainees using objective skills matrices and training checklists.
• Conduct formal skill verifications and competency sign-offs before an operator is cleared to work independently on a production run.
• Provide constructive, timely feedback to trainees and regularly report progress or performance concerns to Shift Supervisors and Production Managers.

Program Maintenance & Mentorship

• Maintain clean, organized training records, ensuring audit readiness for corporate safety or industry quality standards.
• Act as a mentor to senior operators who assist with training, establishing unified coaching methods across all shifts.
• Assist in updating training manuals and checklists as equipment is modernized or workflows change.

Founded in 1961, WEG is a global electric-electronic equipment company, operating mainly in the capital goods sector with solutions in electric machines, automation and paints for several sectors, including infrastructure, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others.

WEG stands out in innovation by constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric mobility. With manufacturing units in 17 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 45,000 employees worldwide.

WEG's net revenue reached R$ 32.5 billion in 2023, 52.9% from outside Brazil.

Our business areas are divided as follows.

Industrial Electro-Electronic Equipment

This area includes electric motors, drives and industrial automation equipment and services, and maintenance services. Electric motors and other related equipment find applications in practically all industrial segments, in equipment such as compressors, pumps and fans, for example.

Energy Generation, Transmission and Distribution (GTD)

Products and services included in this area are electric generators for hydraulic and thermal power plants (biomass), hydro turbines (small hydroelectric plants or PCH, and hydroelectric generators or CGH)), wind turbines, transformers, substations, control panels and system integration services.

Commercial and Appliance Motors

In this business area, our focus is the market of single phase motors for durable consumer goods, such as washing machines, air conditioners, water pumps, among others.

Paints and Varnishes

In this area, which includes liquid paints, powder paints, and electro-insulating varnishes, we have a very clear focus on industrial applications in Brazil and are expanding to Latin America and other regions.