Manufacturing Learning & Development Manager – Workforce Capability

Our client is seeking a Manufacturing Learning & Development Manager to strengthen workforce capability, improve frontline leadership effectiveness, and supports consistent operational execution across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role partners closely with Operations and collaborates with Quality, Safety, Industrial Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Human Resources to build systems that ensure employees are trained, qualified, and prepared to perform safely and effectively.

This is a hands-on, plant-facing role focused on practical capability building not a traditional classroom training position. The ideal candidate understands manufacturing operations and knows how to develop people, coach leaders, and improve execution through structured, site-based learning systems.

Onsite | No Visa Sponsorship | Relocation Assistance: Limited

Please Note: Up to 50% travel to support multiple manufacturing facilities and partner with site leadership teams

Responsibilities:

Workforce Capability Development

• Ensure employees are prepared, qualified, and able to perform safely and consistently.
• Develop capability systems that support workforce flexibility and operational readiness.
• Build and improve onboarding, qualification, certification, and cross-training programs for production employees.

Frontline Leadership Coaching

• Support leaders in applying standard work, effective coaching routines, and consistent execution practices.
• Coach supervisors and frontline leaders to strengthen accountability, communication, and performance management.

Program & Process Standardization

• Standardize capability-building processes across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Lead or support a small team responsible for technical learning and workforce development.
• Partner with site leadership to ensure consistent adoption of training, qualification, and cross-training systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Participate in operational readiness activities for new processes, equipment, or production changes.
• Work closely with Operations, Quality, Safety, CI, and HR to align capability programs with operational needs.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by linking training to improved execution, safety, and quality outcomes.

Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• Frontline leadership coaching.
• Workforce capability development.
• Continuous improvement practices.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and support change.
• Experience coaching frontline leaders in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong facilitation, communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing onboarding, qualification, certification, or workforce readiness programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business, Organizational Leadership, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, workforce capability, technical training, learning & development, continuous improvement, or operational excellence.

Preferred Skills:

• Multi-site manufacturing experience.
• Prior leadership of a training, capability, or workforce development team.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, TWI, Standard Work, TPM, or CI practices.
• Experience in food manufacturing, high-volume production, or similar environments.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Lean/TWI/Standard Work experience.
• Multi-site manufacturing experience.

Work Environment:

• This role includes both office and production-floor work. Regular time in manufacturing areas is required, with exposure to moderate noise, temperature variation, and typical production activity.