Prep Shop Trainer

HEARTLAND FABRICATION•Brownsville, PA

About The Position

The Prep Shop Trainer develops, delivers, and evaluates classroom and hands-on training for new and incumbent employees in Prep Shop operations. The role provides instruction in CNC and machine operation, material handling, equipment operation, workplace safety, quality standards, material identification, and related processes. The Trainer works with Training, Production, Quality, Safety, and Prep Shop leadership to identify skill gaps, support employee development, maintain training documentation, and promote workforce readiness. The Trainer develops and maintains lesson plans, work instructions, practical exercises, competency assessments, and equipment-specific materials; adapts instruction to employee experience and operational needs; and provides coaching and corrective retraining. Training covers safe operation and basic care of Prep Shop machinery, measurement and blueprint interpretation, quality inspection, material handling, equipment inspections, and safe work practices. The Trainer assesses employee competency before recommending independent equipment operation and maintains records of training, qualifications, certifications, and recertifications. This is a safety-sensitive position in a heavy industrial worksite. Conditions include exposure to outdoor elements, extreme heat and cold, dust, chemicals, and loud noise. The role requires use of PPE and extended standing, lifting, bending, crouching, climbing, and working in confined spaces. Overtime and flexible scheduling are required. The position is subject to pre-employment and reasonable-suspicion drug testing.

Requirements

Demonstrated proficiency in CNC, plasma, press, conventional machine, and industrial saw operations, including material handling, overhead crane, and powered industrial truck/forklift operation.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings and apply shop math and dimensional measurement.
Knowledge of material identification and proper handling requirements.
Knowledge of quality inspection practices and ability to identify nonconforming materials or parts.
Basic machine troubleshooting and preventive maintenance knowledge.
Ability to deliver classroom and hands-on technical instruction and demonstrate safe, proper equipment operation.
Ability to develop lesson plans, work instructions, training checklists, and competency assessments.
Ability to coach employees with varying levels of manufacturing experience and objectively assess skills and equipment proficiency.
Strong verbal and written communication, documentation, organization, and recordkeeping skills.
Ability to coordinate multiple employees, training schedules, and priorities and collaborate with Training, Production, Safety, Quality, and People Operations.
Associate degree in Manufacturing Technology, CNC/Machining Technology, Industrial Technology, Mechanical Technology, Technical Education, or a related technical field is preferred; relevant industry certifications combined with demonstrated industrial/manufacturing experience may be considered.
Applicable certifications, or ability to successfully complete company-required trainer/operator certifications after hire; ability to complete additional company-required equipment, safety, and instructor certifications.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements and work in the described heavy industrial environment.
Availability for required overtime and flexible scheduling.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of manufacturing, machining, CNC, Prep Shop, steel fabrication, or material-handling experience preferred.
Previous experience training, mentoring, leading, or developing employees strongly preferred.
Experience in heavy manufacturing or steel fabrication preferred.
Associate degree in a related technical field preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver classroom and hands-on training for new hires, transferred employees, and incumbent Prep Shop employees.
Provide structured instruction in CNC and machine operation, material handling, production processes, safety, quality, and proper work practices.
Develop and maintain training outlines, lesson plans, work instructions, practical exercises, competency assessments, and equipment-specific training materials.
Adapt instruction to employee experience, demonstrated skill, training needs, and operational requirements; coach and provide corrective retraining as needed.
Coordinate training schedules with hiring, production, and operational requirements and serve as a technical training resource.
Train employees in setup and safe operation of Prep Shop machinery, including CNC plasma cutting equipment, CNC press brake equipment, Hydmech and Behringer saws, Pacific and Standard presses, Wheelabrator equipment, and other assigned machinery.
Instruct employees in material and tooling selection, material positioning and securing, machine setup and settings, production sequencing, part dimensions, and part identification and marking.
Train employees to inspect completed parts, recognize damaged, defective, or nonconforming parts and equipment, and report or escalate quality concerns.
Provide instruction on operator-level troubleshooting, daily equipment inspections, cleaning, lubrication, preventive maintenance, shutdown, and housekeeping.
Train employees to use measurement tools, including tape measures, accurately to 1/16 inch, and to read blueprints, drawings, specifications, and work instructions.
Reinforce quality standards, required inspections, material specifications, dimensions, tolerances, and production requirements.
Train employees in safe movement, storage, staging, loading, unloading, and handling of steel, finished parts, equipment, and production materials.
Train and evaluate employees in applicable operation of overhead cranes, forklifts and tow motors, material-handling equipment, trucks, and other equipment used on company property.
Reinforce safe lifting and material movement, load positioning and control, material identification, pedestrian and equipment awareness, communication, and work-area housekeeping.
Promote safety policies, PPE requirements, hazard recognition, machine safety, material-handling safety, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Observe employee work, provide immediate instruction or corrective training for unsafe practices or skill deficiencies, and evaluate knowledge and practical ability before recommending independent equipment operation.
Monitor employee development, communicate progress and skill gaps to appropriate leadership, and support cross-training across Prep Shop machines and functions.
Maintain records of training, competency evaluations, equipment qualifications, certifications, and recertifications.
Partner with Prep Shop, Production, Safety, Quality, and Training leadership; update training materials as requirements change and recommend program improvements.