Workforce Development Specialist

ALIGN is a leading manufacturing partner committed to fostering the growth and development of our workforce. As we continue to attract and retain top talent, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Workforce Development Specialist to join our team.

The Workforce Development Specialist partners closely with our HR team and site leadership at ALIGN business units around the country to identify key workforce development needs, develop training plans and curriculum, and partner with internal and external training sources. This individual will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with industry, education (technical schools, high schools, universities), and government. The Workforce Development Specialist will lead with integrity and authenticity and exercise humility and respect in all interactions with team members of all levels and positions across the business.

Primary Responsibilities include:

1. Relationship Building
   
   
   
   • Partner with internal business unit leadership to anticipate and address needs, ensuring a proactive approach to workforce planning.
   
   
   • Establish and nurture strong relationships with industry, education and government associations to align objectives and collaborate on workforce development initiatives.
   
   
   • Build and maintain connections within the manufacturing industry to stay abreast of industry trends and workforce needs.
   
   
   
   


2. Strategic Planning
   
   
   
   • Conduct thorough analyses to identify critical workforce development needs within the organization.
   
   
   • Develop comprehensive plans and curricula to address identified needs, ensuring alignment with industry standards and organizational objectives.
   
   
   • Partner with HR team to implement strategies to retain and develop employees, including individual career development plans.
   
   
   
   


3. Training Execution
   
   
   
   • Oversee the execution of both internal and external training initiatives, ensuring the delivery of high-quality programs that meet organizational requirements.
   
   
   • Drive synergy across the business units to create a consistent approach to workforce development.
   
   
   
   


4. Talent Acquisition Support
   
   
   
   • Collaborate with the HR team to support talent acquisition activities by identifying skill gaps and assisting in the recruitment of skilled professionals.
   
   
   • Provide insights on market trends and workforce availability to inform hiring strategies.
   
   
   
   


5. Upskilling Opportunities
   
   
   
   • Identify opportunities for upskilling the existing workforce to enhance their capabilities and adapt to evolving industry demands.
   
   
   • Design and implement programs to facilitate continuous learning and development for current employees.
   
   
   
   


6. Apprenticeship and Internship Programs
   
   
   
   • Develop and implement apprenticeship and internship programs across the enterprise in collaboration with local institutions and government bodies.
   
   
   • Formalize a standardized program that ensures consistency in training and development across different business units.
   
   
   • Identify training grant opportunities
   
   
   
   


7. HR Analytics and Reporting
   
   
   
   • Utilize HR data and metrics to make informed decisions and track effectiveness of initiatives.
   
   
   • Prepare and present reports to leadership.
   
   
   
   

Qualifications

• Proven experience (5+ years) in workforce development with a focus on the manufacturing industry highly preferred


• Detail oriented with excellent analytical and strategic planning skills


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively build relationships with diverse stakeholders


• Ability to drive collaboration and synergy across different business units


• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills


• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities


• Ability to orchestrate a multitude of critical deliverables and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment


• Experience in curriculum development and training program execution


• Clear, honest, and articulate communicator


• Knowledge or apprenticeship program development and management; prior experience establishing apprenticeship programs highly preferred


• Multi-site experience is preferred


• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field preferred


• Established relationships with industry and education partners highly preferred


• Proficiency in HRIS (UKG experience is preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite (specifically SharePoint, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)