Training Manager

GTI Fabrication • Goodyear, AZ

3d

About The Position

The Training Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving GTI Fabrication’s manufacturing training and workforce development programs. This role will establish standardized training systems across manufacturing operations, including new-hire onboarding, job-specific qualification, skills development, cross-training, certification tracking, leadership development, and ongoing employee competency assessment. The Training Manager will work directly with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, EHS, Human Resources, Production Leadership, and subject matter experts to ensure employees are properly trained and qualified to perform their work safely, consistently, and in accordance with GTI standards. This position requires a highly visible, hands-on leader who is comfortable spending significant time on the manufacturing floor observing processes, identifying skill gaps, developing training solutions, and partnering with frontline leadership to improve workforce capability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Manufacturing, or a related field; equivalent manufacturing training experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing training, workforce development, operations training, technical training, or a related manufacturing leadership function.
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing training programs, trainers, or workforce development initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience developing structured training programs within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience creating and managing skills matrices, employee qualification programs, competency assessments, and training documentation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and frontline workforce development.
• Experience developing standardized work instructions, training materials, and hands-on technical training programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with hourly production employees, frontline supervisors, technical subject matter experts, and senior leadership.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple training initiatives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS), HRIS, or other training tracking systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting fabrication, welding, machining, electrical integration, mechanical assembly, or complex systems manufacturing.
• Experience within high-mix, high-volume, engineered-to-order, or contract manufacturing environments.
• Experience building or significantly improving a manufacturing training program from the ground up.
• Experience developing frontline leadership and supervisor development programs.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting ISO or other quality management systems.
• Experience with OSHA-related manufacturing training requirements.
• Experience developing train-the-trainer and internal subject matter expert programs.
• Experience implementing or administering a Learning Management System (LMS).
• Experience supporting rapid organizational growth, facility expansion, new product introduction, or manufacturing ramp-up environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own GTI Fabrication’s overall manufacturing training strategy, including new-hire onboarding, technical training, qualification programs, cross-training, refresher training, and leadership development.
• Establish a standardized training framework that can support continued organizational growth and increased production volume.
• Create structured training paths for manufacturing roles across fabrication, welding, mechanical assembly, electrical integration, material handling, warehouse operations, quality, and other production functions.
• Partner with Operations leadership to identify current and future workforce capability requirements based on production demand, customer requirements, and organizational growth.
• Develop annual and quarterly training priorities aligned with operational objectives.
• Establish measurable training KPIs and regularly report program effectiveness to Operations and HR leadership.
• Develop and manage structured manufacturing onboarding programs that accelerate new-hire readiness while maintaining safety and quality expectations.
• Establish defined training plans for new employees, including required safety, quality, technical, and job-specific training.
• Partner with supervisors, leads, and subject matter experts to ensure employees receive consistent hands-on instruction.
• Develop qualification criteria to verify employees can independently perform assigned work before being released from training.
• Implement 30-, 60-, and 90-day training checkpoints where appropriate to evaluate employee progress and identify additional development needs.
• Continuously evaluate onboarding effectiveness based on employee performance, quality results, safety performance, turnover, and supervisor feedback.
• Develop and maintain skills matrices across manufacturing departments to provide visibility into employee capabilities, certifications, qualifications, and training gaps.
• Partner with Production Managers, Value Stream Managers, Supervisors, and Leads to regularly assess workforce skill levels.
• Identify single-point skill dependencies and develop cross-training plans to improve workforce flexibility.
• Establish proficiency levels for critical manufacturing skills and define clear qualification requirements.
• Support workforce planning by identifying skill shortages that may impact production capacity or customer delivery.
• Develop cross-training strategies that allow employees to support multiple operations and value streams as production requirements change.
• Provide leadership with clear visibility into workforce readiness and capability risks.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, EHS, and Operations to develop training materials based on approved work instructions, standard operating procedures, and standardized work.
• Ensure training content accurately reflects current manufacturing processes, equipment, quality requirements, and safety expectations.
• Develop practical hands-on training methods that reinforce correct execution of manufacturing processes.
• Coordinate technical training related to fabrication, welding, assembly, electrical integration, material handling, equipment operation, quality inspection, and other manufacturing processes as applicable.
• Establish train-the-trainer programs to develop qualified internal instructors and subject matter experts.
• Ensure training documentation is updated when processes, equipment, tooling, work instructions, or customer requirements change.
• Establish and maintain accurate training records, qualification documentation, certifications, and competency assessments.
• Ensure required training and certifications remain current and employees are not assigned work requiring qualifications they have not completed.
• Develop systems for tracking certification expiration dates and required refresher training.
• Partner with Quality and EHS to ensure training documentation supports internal audits, customer audits, regulatory requirements, and quality management system requirements.
• Maintain training records in applicable HR, LMS, ERP, or training management systems.
• Support corrective actions when training deficiencies are identified through safety incidents, quality issues, audit findings, or operational performance.
• Develop training programs for Production Leads, Supervisors, and emerging frontline leaders.
• Build leadership development content focused on safety leadership, accountability, communication, employee coaching, performance management, problem solving, and production execution.
• Partner with Operations and HR to identify high-potential employees and establish development plans for future leadership opportunities.
• Provide supervisors and leads with tools to effectively train, coach, and develop employees within their teams.
• Strengthen leadership consistency across manufacturing departments by establishing common expectations and training standards.
• Use Lean Manufacturing principles to continuously improve training effectiveness and workforce capability.
• Partner with Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Operations to identify recurring performance issues that may be addressed through improved training or standardized work.
• Participate in root cause analysis related to quality defects, safety incidents, productivity issues, and process failures where employee training or competency may be a contributing factor.
• Develop targeted retraining and corrective training programs based on identified performance gaps.
• Measure training effectiveness through operational indicators including safety, quality, productivity, rework, employee proficiency, and time-to-qualification.
• Continuously evaluate training methods and introduce more effective approaches as the organization grows.
• Serve as the primary training partner to Operations and manufacturing leadership.
• Work closely with Human Resources and Talent Acquisition to align hiring profiles, onboarding expectations, and workforce development strategies.
• Partner with EHS to ensure required safety training is completed and documented.
• Partner with Quality to ensure employees understand workmanship standards, inspection requirements, defect prevention, and customer expectations.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure training reflects current manufacturing processes and standardized work.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Materials, Planning, Maintenance, and other functions when training requirements impact production execution.
• Support new product introductions, new equipment installations, process changes, and facility expansions by developing appropriate employee training plans.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match (where applicable)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Sick time in accordance with state and local requirements
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, modular infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong operational and engineering leadership
• Employee-focused culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level