Operations Training Specialist

Wausau Window and Wall Systems

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Training Specialist supports the successful new hire and position transfer onboarding, cross-training support, and ongoing skill verification and development needs with the operations environments on-site within our operations facilities within Architectural Framing Systems (AFS) This specialist will guide the development, coordination, and presentation of training and development programs necessary to facilitate team member growth and retention and the delivery of quality products for the achievement of company objectives. This individual will work in strong partnership with the Director of Operations in AFS locations; Operations Managers, Supervisors, Leads, and the Human Resources Leaders to oversee effective training processes for all hourly roles in Operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the needs assessment for training and staff development to enhance the effectiveness of hourly operations team member performance in achieving the goals and objectives in operations.
• Oversee and direct the Operations training function. Ensure that new team member onboarding within operations is kept current and delivered in an effective and professional manner. Ensure annual or ongoing training needs are satisfied.
• Work with HR to coordinate successful onboarding training schedules.
• Manage the New Hire Lab Training programs at AFS assigned location.
• Support the success of operations floor mentors and new hire trainers.
• Participate in the Operations Training Council monthly meetings and training initiatives.
• Confer with management, supervisors, and team members to gain knowledge of work situations requiring training and to better understand changes in quality requirements, product offerings, policies, procedures, regulations, business initiatives and technologies.
• Develop strong relationship with all departments to develop course materials and receive feedback.
• Identify external training programs/instructors as needed and work closely with outside vendors to deliver skill development workshops to elevate the abilities of team members. Coordinate the creation, presentation, and evaluation of training material. 
• Formulate teaching outline and determine instructional methods such as individual training, group instruction, lectures, demonstrations, conferences, meetings, and workshops.
• Select or develop teaching aids such as training handbooks, demonstration models, multimedia visual aids, computer tutorials, and reference works. Ensure they are kept accurate and current.
• Assist Continuous Improvement in the creation, updating or maintaining work instructions for job processes in operations. Help to organize resources on platforms where this information is stored and accessed.
• Maintain training records such as role-specific training checklists, competency verifications, training matrices, and delivery of training workshops and attendees.
• Make assessments of effectiveness of training in terms of team member accomplishments and performance.
• Develop metrics to track and determine training effectiveness for individuals, departments, sites, and organization as a whole.
  • Reports results as needed.

• Continuously drive improvement within their area of responsibility by having an improved future-state vision, setting goals that move toward that vision and taking the actions required to achieve those goals.
• Implement and support Continuous Improvement throughout the organization.
• Assist with safety training initiatives, as needed.
• Adhere to established safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for all team members.
• Undertake job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the company’s Core Values.
• May be required to perform other company duties as needed to assist other departments as requested.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned and required.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Education
  • Qualified candidates will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
  • Five years’ experience in organizational development, training, teaching, human resources, or related field.
  • A combination of related operations training experience and education may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
  • Operations experience within the fenestration industry preferred. 

SKILL and KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Comfortable communication with all levels of management and employees
• Attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Team player who can work effectively and respectfully with a variety of people. 
  • Sensitive to other cultures/backgrounds.
  • Able to work in a multi-cultural workplace.
  • Promote and support diversity and inclusion.
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Self-directed initiative and ability to work independently in a multi-tasking environment, as well as part of a team.
• Knowledge of window, doors, and curtainwall product and processes.
• Professional and confidential in work habits.
• Ability to execute multiple projects with varying deadlines.
• Excellent Computer Skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), as well as developed proficiency for company software (CTO-Pro, Epicor, etc.)
• Creative ability, writing proficiency, visual graphics design ability.
• Adept in use and application of various training methods and approaches
• Good public speaker, at ease moderating large and small groups with proven presentation and facilitation skills. 
  • Able to modify and adapt approaches and materials to accommodate audience size and other audience needs.
• Continuous Improvement methodology (Lean/Six Sigma) knowledge preferred. Must possess strong process and improvement mindset.
• Familiarity with business process
• Ability to read, write and understand work instructions.
• Safely perform essential job responsibilities
• Promotes AFS/Apogee in a positive manner and leads by example for all policies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibility but will influence performance of others while supporting training efforts.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position will spend time between office and the operations floor. 
• The noise levels in the work environment are usually moderate. 
• Appropriate PPE is required while on the shop floor and is provided, while on the operations floor
• Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• The noise level in the operations work environment is usually loud. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional travel related to other sites / corporate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend and move about the facility. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Architectural Framing Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Company. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

#LI-AM1

Apogee and our brands are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.