Production Trainer

Johnson Outdoors•Mankato, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Trainer evaluates training needs, practices, and gaps to develop training plans and materials aimed at increasing efficiencies and quality. This role develops train-the-trainer programs to accelerate learning and ensure consistent training processes. The trainer partners with leadership, manufacturing engineering, safety, and quality to evaluate practices and implement training programs. The role also involves integrating technology and AI appropriately, applying an AI-first mindset to support work and improve efficiency, quality, and consistency, while exercising judgment and human oversight for AI-generated outputs and adhering to company guidelines for technology use.

Requirements

Associates degree in business administration, education or equivalent.
Typically requires a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a training capacity in a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead a team and work under tight deadlines while maintaining positive employee relations.
Experience developing and implementing training materials, tutorials, assessments, testing and other processes to ensure the effectiveness of the learning and development activities.
Ability to be proactive and possess strong research skills, resolve issues and drive training initiatives independently or within a team environment.
Ability to analyze processes and data to determine training needs and develop materials.
Ability to provide innovative training techniques which mirror current industry trends and standards
Demonstrated excellent verbal presentation and communication skills to provide effective guidance and training to new team members.
High knowledge level of safety, 5S housekeeping systems and quality guidelines which should be followed in a production/manufacturing environment
Ability to make independent and effective decisions.
Ability to successfully learn new skills and processes.
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Basic understanding of how AI/digital tools support daily work, with the ability to follow guidance and adapt to new tools or processes
Ability to spend the majority of the day standing, walking, lifting and bending.

Responsibilities

Evaluates training needs, current practices, gaps, and creates and delivers a training development plan.
Partners with leadership, manufacturing engineering, safety, and quality to develop the training program, materials, and presentations used to train production employees and provide new hire orientation.
Develops and implements a train-the-trainer program to ensure effective training programs are delivered to all staff on processes.
Reviews efficiency of program and updates as needed.
Establishes programs and training methods to provide daily training to all production associates ensuring employees have the knowledge and capability to be effective, efficient, and safe.
Assists employees in understanding how to run various production lines and be able to float based on fluctuating production needs to ensure effective departmental operations.
Recruits and schedules external vendors to deliver training programs to meet specific training needs when warranted.
Alerts leadership of any potential performance or behavioral issues with new employees.
Partners with the manufacturing/production team to understand and define processes to ensure efficiency and product quality.
Creates production process sheet (direction on how to complete a production process) formats for production staff, maintains, and updates as needed.
Provides training and feedback to job-specific trainers on training methods used to teach employees how to perform their job accurately and efficiently.
Works with manufacturing engineering to create specific equipment training and ensures training is completed.
Utilizes quality and EARS data to determine effectiveness of training and updates as needed.
Performs specific build area training on various production cells on the production floor.
Builds on and expands specific certified soldering training program.
Appropriately uses approved AI, other digital technologies applying an AI-first mindset to support assigned work and improve efficiency, quality and consistency.
Applies judgment and human oversight when using AI-generated outputs, follows company guidelines for technology use, and escalates concerns regarding outputs, accuracy, or proper use.
Performs other duties as assigned.