Learning and Development Director

Chefs Warehouse•Ridgefield, CT

About The Position

The Director of Learning and Development (L&D) is responsible for designing, implementing, and spearheading structured training and development protocols that support organizational growth, employee engagement, and operational excellence at The Chefs’ Warehouse. This role ensures that employees—across warehouse, logistics, sales, and leadership—gain the right skills at the right stage of their careers, with a focus on continuity of learning as they advance into roles of greater responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred).
8+ years of progressive experience in Learning and Development, with demonstrated expertise in training program design, rollout, and governance.
Industry experience in food distribution, supply chain, logistics, or related sectors strongly preferred.
Knowledge of compliance and safety training requirements in the food distribution industry.
Strong communication, facilitation, and program design skills.
Proficiency in LMS platforms, e-learning tools, and instructional design methodologies.
Strategic thinker with ability to align training initiatives to evolving business needs.
Strong program and project management skills with focus on structured execution.
Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
Results-driven with emphasis on measurable impact and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a company-wide training framework organized by employee level, ensuring continuity and progression as employees move from frontline roles into supervisory and leadership positions.
Partner with senior leadership to identify and prioritize training needs across operations, logistics, warehouse safety, compliance, and customer-facing functions.
Act as the organizational lead for L&D, aligning training initiatives with business priorities and future talent needs.
Spearhead the design, rollout, and governance of training pathways by level (e.g., entry-level onboarding, mid-level role mastery, leadership readiness).
Create scalable, repeatable learning protocols that reinforce knowledge and prepare employees for the next stage of responsibility.
Integrate multiple modalities (classroom, e-learning, on-the-job, and coaching) to enhance training effectiveness and accessibility.
Ensure all training programs meet regulatory and safety requirements (OSHA, DOT, food safety, etc.).
Establish metrics to assess the effectiveness and continuity of training programs, measuring impact on productivity, retention, safety, and leadership pipeline development.
Collaborate with HR on onboarding, career pathing, and succession planning initiatives.
Implement and manage the Learning Management System (LMS) to structure, track, and deliver role-specific learning journeys.
Leverage emerging technologies (mobile learning, microlearning, virtual training) to support scalable and engaging programs.
Stay current with trends and best practices in workforce learning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.