Manufacturing Training Manager

The construction of fairlife's manufacturing facility in Webster, NY is underway. This state-of-the-art, 750k sq ft, greenfield plant is expected to be operational in late 2025 and will lay the foundation for fairlife's next phase of growth as the leading dairy nutrition provider. While coupling the industry’s latest technologies and fairlife's operational excellence to build this world-class facility, fairlife plans to hire 250 new employees and bring in approximately 5 million lbs. of milk a day, with room to grow over the coming years. 

job purpose: The Manufacturing Training Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring that employees receive the necessary training to excel in their roles within a manufacturing environment. They will develop, coordinate and drive the training and onboarding program for the new fairlife Plant in Webster NY.   Reporting to both HR and Operations, the training manager will work closely with fairlife key stakeholders and equipment suppliers to evaluate training gaps and needs and develop training solutions for the site.   

responsibilities:  

• Gain alignment with senior leadership to develop onboarding plans for new leaders and technical roles. 
• Conduct thorough assessments to identify training needs and skill gaps within the manufacturing workforce and provide training solutions. 
•  Implement necessary systems to organize training records, materials and standards. 
• Lead training workstream routine working closely with project team and equipment suppliers on coordinating technical training resources and training plans through commissioning and start up. 
• Work with LMS administrator to track and record all training activities and proficiencies for all departments and maintain accurate reporting and current training skills matrix. 
• Coordinate with site and shift leadership to ensure that training programs are delivered, and employees are qualified to perform the operations for which they have been trained. 
• Work with SMEs to determine job specific training curriculum and transform technical information into supporting training materials (SOPs, instructional videos, and other training documents). 
• Maintain a training calendar and communicate all training events with leadership and employees. 
• Assess training program effectiveness, manage training budgets, and stay updated on training trends to ensure the organization’s training initiatives are aligned with business goals and employee development needs. 

skills/qualifications required:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field required 
• 7+ years of progressive experience developing and deploying training programs in a manufacturing environment.   
• Strong communication tools and the ability to collaborate with SMEs and department leadership 
• Ability to work independently and manage projects and timelines 
• Proactive, adaptable, detail-oriented and results-driven 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills 
• Familiarity with traditional and modern training methods within a manufacturing environment (mentoring, coaching, on-the-job or in classroom training, e-learning, workshops, simulations etc) 
• Understanding of adult learners and learning styles 
• Ability to flex schedule as needed to meet training needs across all shifts 
• Ability to create learning paths and supporting training materials 
• Proficient in MS Office Suite  
• Experience with a Learning management System, eLearning authoring tools (Captivate, Lectora, Articulate, iSpring) and video editing software are a plus 

working conditions and physical requirements: 

• Time requirement- 40 hrs/ability to flex shift as needed  
• Possible 3 hours sitting/3 hours standing/2 hours walking 
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 
• Reaching/bending  
• Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.) 
• Specific atmospheric conditions – AMMONIA/PAA 

food safety requirements:  

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety. 
• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas. 
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company. 
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system. 
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system. 
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected. 
• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required. 

position location: Webster, NY 

reports to: Chief HR Officer and VP, Manufacturing Operations 

travel requirements: minimal 

exempt/nonexempt: exempt