Learning & Development Manager

First Quality was founded in 1989 and has grown to be a global privately held company with over 4,000 employees. Its corporate offices are located in Great Neck, New York, with manufacturing facilities and offices in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, and Canada. First Quality is a diversified family of companies manufacturing consumer products ranging from Absorbent Hygiene (adult incontinence, feminine care, and baby care), Tissue (bath and towel), and Industrial (print and packaging materials), serving institutional and retail markets throughout the world. First Quality focuses on private label and branded product lines.

The L&D Manager leads, plans, develops, implements and administers development and training programs within the plant for all hourly and salaried team members throughout the organization. The Manager also acts as a liaison and advisor to the plant leadership team and facilitates initiatives for improving the plant productivity and performance.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

• Directs the development of a comprehensive training strategy, methodology, programs and curriculum for leadership, team member development and technical training.

• Manages the daily activities and development of the onsite L&D team.

• Maintains knowledge of new methods and techniques for training and training requirements applicable to the organization and/or manufacturing industry.

• Conducts routine needs assessments for training and staff development to enhance the effectiveness of team member performance in achieving the goals and objectives of the plant.

• Ensures that training materials and programs are current, accurate, and effective.

• Develops a means of measuring the effectiveness of training programs through testing, evaluations and follow-up and incorporates lessons learned into program plans.

• Leads the strengthening of new hire orientation/onboarding and existing team training initiatives in partnership with Human Resources.

• Oversees and maintains the Learning Management System (LMS) and captures detailed team member training dates, types of training, qualifications and recertification dates.

• Supports enterprise-wide training initiatives.

• Leads and administers developmental programs for elevating the skillset of the existing teams.

• Researches, applies for and manages training grants and reimbursement process.

• Prepares and implements a training budget.

• Ensures that training milestones and goals are met while adhering to approved training budget.

• Consults with Department Managers on performance, organizational and leadership matters.  Designs appropriate training curriculum based on needs assessments to enhance team member job performance and overall company performance

• Training and Education – Develop, execute, and continuously improve the training and education processes, which include creating a learning organization and ensuring linkage to the performance management system; Ensure alignment of company goals and mission through strategic training management and implementation; Collaborate with vendors and third-party training providers to provide additional training options.

• Leadership Development – Develop, execute, and continuously improve the company development strategy; Design, develop, and deliver effective learning programs for leaders; consult with leaders on professional development planning for an implementation.

• Career and Succession Planning – Assist the HR team to develop, execute and continuously improve the career and succession planning process ensuring the capability and sustainability of team members to achieve the overall business strategy in the future.

• Infrastructure – Identify and implement the appropriate processes, tools and systems to support development; Determine appropriate blend of traditional learning approaches with existing and new technologies in order to create and deliver best in class programs; Ensure the full utilization of all site training facilities, processes, resources, and equipment; Track statistics and create additional learning and performance metrics as required; Evaluate learning programs and effectiveness through the collection of data and feedback

• Consultation – Serve as an internal performance consultant to the organization; Support Department Managers and Human Resources in responding to personnel challenges and Performance Improvement Plans

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education and experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• At least 5 years of experience in training with 3+ years of supervisory experience required.

• Experience in designing and implementing employee development programs within a manufacturing organization preferred.

• Demonstrated excellence in influencing, teamwork, project management, and teaching skills.

• Ability to interact effectively at all levels within the organization.

• Ability to implement and utilize LMS and Computer Based Learning systems.

• Knowledge of grants: research, application, monitoring of available grant resources

• Flexibility to schedule and deliver training across all shifts when needed

• Excellent planning, organizing and project management skills.

• Ability to take ownership of and focus on critical initiatives.

• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.

• Action and results oriented