Operations Training Specialist - MD

THE GILL CORPORATION•Edgewood, MD

4d•$88,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Training Specialist designs, implements, and manages the operational training program to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency within the aerospace manufacturing plant. This role is responsible for developing training curricula, evaluating operator proficiencies, and conducting periodic process audits. Additionally, this individual serves as a key member for continuous improvement projects related to operational excellence.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, production, or a related industrial environment.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team setting.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes with mechanical aptitude and the ability to translate technical concepts into practical instruction.
Ability to multitask in a high-paced manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with general business practices and operations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Access.
Must have English reading, writing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to read, write, understand, and communicate the company operating procedures and policies.
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A U.S. person, according to their definition, is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering field (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering) OR equivalent technical training/military experience in a related field desired.
Aerospace, composites, or advanced metallic fabrication preferred.
Prior supervisory or leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, planning, or scheduling desired.
Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools; experience with SAP preferred.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain a structured training and OJT program for manufacturing operators, including training curricula, qualification pathways, proficiency milestones, competency matrices, and cross-training requirements.
Conduct hands-on technical training for new and existing operators on equipment, manufacturing processes, safety requirements, quality standards, SOPs, and applicable EHS and chemical-handling requirements.
Evaluate and certify operator proficiency through practical assessments, demonstrated performance, quality results, and established competency requirements; periodically audit qualified operators to ensure continued compliance.
Partner with Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Operations to develop, review, and improve SOPs, work instructions, visual aids, and standard work to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and ease of use.
Identify training gaps, production bottlenecks, recurring quality issues, process variation, and opportunities to improve workforce capability, production flow, cycle time, scrap, waste, and overall operational efficiency.
Participate in continuous improvement activities, including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), time studies, and structured root-cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone analysis.
Maintain accurate and audit-ready training, qualification, certification, and continuous improvement records in accordance with Company requirements and applicable aerospace quality standards, including AS9100 and applicable Nadcap requirements.
Develop, track, analyze, and report training and operational KPIs, including training completion, operator qualification, cross-training coverage, quality performance, cycle-time efficiency, scrap reduction, and continuous improvement results.
Serve as a liaison between plant leadership, Engineering, Quality, Safety, supervisors, trainers, and shop-floor employees to promote consistent training, standard work, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Establish clear proficiency milestones and standard timelines to systematically track an operator’s progress from onboarding to full autonomy.
Perform all responsibilities in accordance with departmental and plant safety requirements and promptly report unsafe conditions to the appropriate member of management.
Design, build, and maintain a structured, matrixed training curriculum for all manufacturing operators and production lines.
Conduct hands-on technical training for new hires and existing operators on machinery, assembly techniques, safety protocols, and quality standards.
Other duties as assigned.