Production Training Manager

Job Purpose

The Production Training Manager develops, implements, and manages all production training programs to ensure employees have the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform their jobs safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. This position partners with Production, Quality, Safety, Engineering, and Human Resources to create a culture of continuous learning, operational excellence, and employee development.

Accountabilities

1. For developing and maintaining a comprehensive production training program for all manufacturing and packaging personnel.
2. For ensuring employees are trained and qualified to perform assigned job functions safely and effectively.
3. For establishing standardized onboarding and job-specific training for new hires, transfers, and promoted employees.
4. For monitoring training effectiveness through assessments, observations, and performance metrics.
5. For maintaining accurate training records and ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.
6. For partnering with department leaders to identify skill gaps and developing targeted training initiatives.
7. For coordinating annual refresher training, cross-training, and recertification programs.
8. For supporting continuous improvement initiatives by incorporating Lean Manufacturing, GMP, and operational best practices into training.
9. For ensuring all production training aligns with company quality standards, safety policies, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
10. For evaluating and recommending learning technologies, training materials, and instructional methods.
11. For assisting with audits by providing documentation and evidence of employee qualifications and completed training.
12. For developing leadership and technical training programs that support employee career development.
13. For measuring training ROI and providing regular reports on training effectiveness to leadership.

Essential Job Functions

• Design, develop, and deliver instructor-led, hands-on, and electronic training programs.
• Create and maintain training curricula, lesson plans, presentations, job aids, work instructions, and competency assessments.
• Coordinate onboarding training for new production employees.
• Conduct production floor observations to evaluate employee competency and adherence to procedures.
• Collaborate with supervisors to ensure employees complete required training before performing job duties independently.
• Develop qualification and certification processes for manufacturing and packaging positions.
• Ensure training records remain accurate and current.
• Schedule training sessions while minimizing disruption to production schedules.
• Track training completion and communicate compliance status to department leadership.
• Support investigations involving training deficiencies and develop corrective action plans when necessary.
• Stay current on FDA, GMP, OSHA, ISO, and other applicable regulatory requirements affecting manufacturing training.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and process optimization initiatives.
• Develop succession planning and career progression training for production personnel.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and metrics regarding training completion, effectiveness, and compliance.

Direct Reports

No direct reports.

 Key Characteristics

• Strong leadership and coaching abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to engage employees with varying levels of experience and education.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative team player who builds positive working relationships.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented.
• Adaptable and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and employee development.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

Education and Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in organizational development, Education, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of manufacturing or production experience.
• Three (3) or more years of experience developing and delivering employee training programs.
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), OSHA regulations, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Experience creating training materials, SOPs, and competency assessments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience using a Learning Management System (LMS).

Preferred

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification.
• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP/CPTD) or equivalent training certification.
• Knowledge of FDA regulations, ISO standards, and cGMP requirements.
• Experience with electronic document management systems.

Physical Demands

• Frequently sit, stand, and walk throughout manufacturing and office environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to conduct extended periods of classroom instruction and presentations.
• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• Ability to tour manufacturing facilities and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to climb stairs, bend, reach, kneel, and stoop when conducting production observations.
• Visual ability to read detailed documents, computer screens, and production equipment displays.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees in classroom and production environments.
• May require occasional evening, weekend, or off-shift work to support training across multiple production shifts.
• Ability to travel occasionally between company locations or external training facilities, if required.

This job description is not all-inclusive; other duties may be performed as assigned.