Training Specialist

Compensation 

$20.50-$24

Overview

At Chick-fil-A Palmdale, we believe great businesses are built by great people. The Training Specialist plays a critical role in developing the systems that help our Team Members grow, perform with excellence, and create remarkable guest experiences.

This leader will begin by learning and supporting the restaurant’s training systems while progressively developing toward greater ownership of the restaurant’s overall training and development strategy.

As leadership capability and operational understanding grow, this role will take increasing responsibility for trainer development, new hire onboarding systems, team member development initiatives, and long-term training excellence across the restaurant.

This is a high-growth leadership opportunity designed for individuals who are passionate about developing people, building strong systems, and pursuing future management opportunities.

This leader will serve as both an operational leader and a training department owner, balancing active leadership during restaurant operations with dedicated responsibility for building and improving the systems that develop people across the business. Like all leadership roles within our organization, operational excellence comes first. This leader will regularly lead shifts, support day-to-day restaurant execution, and progressively receive dedicated project time each week to focus on training and development initiatives.

Role Responsibilities 

New Hire Development 

• Supporting execution of all new hire training systems and restaurant operation standards
• Building effective training schedules that balance operational and developmental needs
• Ensuring new Team Members progress successfully through structured onboarding plans
• Supporting and progressively leading 30, 60, and 90-day evaluations for all new Team Members
• Evaluating both skill competency and operational knowledge during new hire evaluations
• Identifying struggling Team Members early and implementing recalibration plans when needed
• Partnering with leadership to determine readiness and long-term fit of new Team Members
• Identifying opportunities to improve onboarding systems and strengthen the new hire experience

Trainer Team Development & Accountability

• Identifying and developing future Trainers in partnership with restaurant leadership
• Helping build and maintain a team of at least 15 active Trainers
• Leading Trainer onboarding and certification process
• Facilitating Train-the-Trainer development sessions
• Reinforcing accountability standards and performance expectations for Trainers
• Conducting recurring Trainer performance evaluations
• Providing coaching and development feedback to Trainers
• Partnering with leadership on Trainer accountability decisions when standards are not upheld
• Building a culture where Trainer status is earned and highly respected

Team Member Development Systems

• Supporting the design and execution of monthly Winning Habits coaching initiatives while progressively taking ownership of development planning
• Identifying skill gaps through operational audits, guest feedback, and leadership observations
• Improving Winning Habits coaching sessions through interactive learning experiences
• Developing quizzes, knowledge checks, and practical exercises to reinforce learning
• Tracking participation and follow-through on monthly development initiatives
• Helping implement refresher training plans for Team Members who need additional development support
• Ensuring team members continue developing long after initial onboarding

Training Systems Management

• Monitoring execution of Pathway training standards throughout the restaurant
• Maintaining accurate training records and proficiency tracking systems
• Tracking development progression for Team Members pursuing Trainer certification
• Monitoring training effectiveness and identifying opportunities to improve execution consistency
• Supporting compliance training related to food safety, operational standards, and workplace safety
• Coordinating training execution for new product launches and operational rollouts
• Supporting the development of resources and tools that improve training consistency across the business

Leadership Development & Operational Partnership

• Partnering with Front of House and Back of House leadership to identify development opportunities
• Supporting restaurant operations during scheduled leadership shifts
• Balancing operational leadership responsibilities while dedicating focused time each week toward training and development initiatives
• Participating in leadership discussions focused on talent development and operational performance
• Using operational metrics and guest feedback to identify developmental opportunities
• Demonstrating leadership growth toward future management opportunities

Measures of Success 

• Support development of a high-performing Trainer team with the long-term goal of maintaining 15+ active Trainers
• Consistent execution of the restaurant’s 30/60/90 day evaluation process for all new hires
• Improvement in new hire retention during the first 90 days
• Increased operational readiness of Team Members after training completion
• Successful execution of monthly Winning Habits development sessions
• Improvement in restaurant operational audits and guest experience metrics
• Increased cross-training participation across restaurant positions
• Strong execution of all training systems and operational rollouts

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Exceptional leadership potential
• Strong communication and teaching ability
• High personal ownership and accountability
• Attention to detail and organizational strength
• Ability to coach and develop others effectively
• Operational credibility and leadership presence
• Passion for building people and improving systems
• Strong follow-through and execution discipline
• Desire to grow into future management leadership roles

Qualifications

Candidates applying for this role must meet the following qualifications:

• Open availability, including evenings, Saturdays, and holidays as business needs require
• Minimum 1 year of leadership experience overseeing teams of 5 or more people
• Demonstrated experience holding team members accountable to performance expectations and operational standards
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment
• Strong communication, organization, and follow-through skills
• Ability to consistently perform physical restaurant responsibilities, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 50 pounds

While not required, strong candidates may also have:

• 1+ year of leading in food service, retail, hospitality, or other customer-facing operations
• 1+ year of training, coaching, or onboarding experience
• Experience creating or improving operational systems, processes, or workflows
• Previous experience managing team performance or development initiatives

Growth Opportunity

This role is designed as a progressive leadership development opportunity.

During the first several months, this leader will focus heavily on operational excellence, learning the restaurant’s existing training systems, and supporting execution of onboarding and development initiatives.

As capability, leadership maturity, and operational understanding increase, this role will progressively assume greater ownership of trainer development, training systems oversight, team development strategy, and long-term department leadership.

Exceptional performance in this role may lead to future promotion into Training Manager.

Depending on prior leadership experience, candidates may begin at different leadership levels within the organization as they progress toward full ownership of the role.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching