Learning and Development Specialist

Merchology•Plymouth, MN

6d•$68,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Mur-chol- uh -jee | The science of company merch; the skill of creating and delivering custom-branded apparel and corporate gifts around the world. Merchology is a leading eCommerce retailer in B2B sales of co-branded merchandise including apparel, headwear, drinkware, gifts, and accessories. We are family-owned, people-powered, and we are adding to our #MerchFam at our HQ in Plymouth, MN. Come see why we are a three-time Star Tribune Top Workplaces award winner! Merchology seeks a Learning and Development Specialist to join the People team. Reporting to the VP of People, the Learning and Development Specialist is a critical role responsible for company-wide training strategy, curriculum design, and delivery of learning programs that enhance employee skills, engagement, and performance. This role oversees onboarding, ongoing development, documentation, and knowledge management across all departments. As a key member of the People Team, this position also supports core HR generalist activities including employee relations support, benefits education, compliance initiatives, and People Team projects. A successful Learning and Development Specialist will: Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable training programs that support all functions of the organization, including onboarding, systems training, professional skills, leadership development, and company processes. Update and create training content from scratch, including presentations, facilitator guides, eLearning modules, videos, job aids, and assessments. Maintain a consistent and engaging new-hire onboarding experience; manage onboarding schedules, tools, and tracking. Partner with department leaders to conduct training needs assessments and identify skill gaps across the organization. Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs using metrics, feedback, and performance outcomes; implement continual improvements. Ensure training materials stay up to date with business processes, system enhancements, and organizational priorities. Support and administer the Learning Management System (LMS) within Paylocity (Merchology’s HRIS), including course setup, assignments, reporting, and compliance tracking. Provide coaching, guidance, and support to leaders and SMEs who deliver or develop training content. Serve as a resource for employees and managers with questions about benefits and HR policies; assist in benefits education during onboarding and throughout the year. Support employee engagement initiatives, culture programs, and company events. Assist with HR compliance initiatives such as policy updates, training requirements, and documentation practices. Participate in employee relations intake or research. Help maintain accurate employee documentation and HRIS data as needed. Collaborate with the People Team on DEI, wellness, communication, and recognition programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
3+ years’ experience in learning & development, training, HR, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to design training from scratch (not just deliver).
Experience facilitating training for groups of all sizes and levels.
Comfortable analyzing training effectiveness and using data to recommend improvements.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially Power Point and Excel.
Strong proficiency in an LMS within an HRIS (e.g., Paylocity).
Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
Ability to build relationships across departments and influence without authority.
Strong organization, project management, and documentation skills.
Able to multitask in a fast-paced, team environment.
Must be capable of effectively managing and prioritizing individual projects, deadlines, and tasks.

Nice To Haves

Experience with eLearning tools (e.g., Articulate, Canva, Loom), and preferred collaboration tools.
Preferred knowledge of creation of custom learning module GPT tools.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable training programs that support all functions of the organization, including onboarding, systems training, professional skills, leadership development, and company processes.
Update and create training content from scratch, including presentations, facilitator guides, eLearning modules, videos, job aids, and assessments.
Maintain a consistent and engaging new-hire onboarding experience; manage onboarding schedules, tools, and tracking.
Partner with department leaders to conduct training needs assessments and identify skill gaps across the organization.
Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs using metrics, feedback, and performance outcomes; implement continual improvements.
Ensure training materials stay up to date with business processes, system enhancements, and organizational priorities.
Support and administer the Learning Management System (LMS) within Paylocity (Merchology’s HRIS), including course setup, assignments, reporting, and compliance tracking.
Provide coaching, guidance, and support to leaders and SMEs who deliver or develop training content.
Serve as a resource for employees and managers with questions about benefits and HR policies; assist in benefits education during onboarding and throughout the year.
Support employee engagement initiatives, culture programs, and company events.
Assist with HR compliance initiatives such as policy updates, training requirements, and documentation practices.
Participate in employee relations intake or research.
Help maintain accurate employee documentation and HRIS data as needed.
Collaborate with the People Team on DEI, wellness, communication, and recognition programs.

Benefits

Competitive compensation: the estimated range for On-Target Earnings in this role is $68,000 to $75,000. On-Target Earnings consist of a combination of annual base pay and a variable target based on sales quota achievement
Generous PTO (18 days per year)
8 company-paid holidays
Hybrid work schedule for select departments
40 hours of paid volunteer time
401(k) with match
Medical and dental insurance options, spending account options, including an HSA with employer match
Company-paid life insurance
Company-sponsored social events
Premium brand partner discounts
Employee-led events that include recognition, wellness, volunteering and DE&I