Manufacturing Training Specialist

Job Summary

The Training Specialist plays a critical role in supporting operational excellence through the delivery, coordination, and continuous improvement of manufacturing training programmes across the site. The role is responsible for ensuring that all employees - including production operatives, technical staff, salaried employees, and shift-based teams - receive effective onboarding, skills development, compliance training, and job role certification aligned to operational, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will support a culture of continuous learning, employee engagement, safety, and high performance by delivering structured training using classroom-based, practical, and on-the-job learning methods. The role will work closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, EHS, HR, and site leadership teams to identify training needs, address capability gaps, and ensure employees are fully competent and compliant in their roles.

The Training Specialist will also support the ongoing development of training systems, training materials, skills matrices, and competency assessment processes, ensuring that training remains effective, engaging, and aligned with business objectives and operational standards.

Essential

• Third-level qualification (Level 7 or higher) in Education, Learning & Development, Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years' experience in a manufacturing, production, operations, or training environment.
• Experience delivering training within a regulated or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, operational workflows, and production environments.
• Experience coordinating onboarding, competency assessment, and skills development programmes.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, coaching, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organisational, planning, and administrative skills with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and MS Teams.
• Ability to simplify complex operational concepts into clear, practical, and engaging training content.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple departments and shift patterns.
• Flexible approach to working hours to support shift-based operations where required.

Desirable

• Qualification in Training, Adult Education, Learning & Development, or Instructional Design.
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• Train-the-Trainer qualification.
• Experience within food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical device, FMCG, packaging, or other regulated manufacturing sectors.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, GMP, HACCP, ISO, or similar operational standards.
• Previous experience as a Production Operative, Team Leader, or Manufacturing Trainer.
• Experience supporting audits and compliance activities.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Excellent coaching and mentoring capability
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Planning and organisational ability
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Strong teamwork and collaboration
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Professionalism and integrity

Working Environment & Requirements

• Manufacturing environment with regular presence on the production floor.
• Ability to support employees working across day, evening, night, and rotating shift patterns.
• Occasional manual handling and extended periods standing or walking on the production floor may be required.
• Use of PPE and adherence to all site health and safety requirements is mandatory.
• Attendance, punctuality, and reliability are essential to the effective delivery of operational training activities.

Core Values & Behavioural Expectations

The Training Specialist is expected to consistently demonstrate the organisation's core values through:

• Promoting a safe and respectful working environment
• Supporting inclusion, collaboration, and employee engagement
• Demonstrating accountability and professionalism
• Encouraging continuous learning and development
• Driving operational excellence and quality standards

Training Delivery & Employee Development

• Deliver structured onboarding and induction programmes for new employees and existing employees.
• Provide training for manufacturing employees across production, warehouse, quality, engineering, and support functions as required.
• Deliver training using a combination of classroom instruction, practical demonstrations, coaching, and on-the-job assessment methodologies.
• Train employees on standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, GMP requirements, quality standards, equipment operation, safe systems of work, and company policies.
• Support multi-skilling and cross-training initiatives to improve workforce flexibility and operational resilience.
• Facilitate refresher and recurring training programmes in line with company and regulatory requirements.
• Adapt training methods and materials to accommodate different learning styles, literacy levels, languages, and levels of experience.
• Act as a mentor and role model for new and existing employees, promoting professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and positive workplace behaviours.
• Support the development of team leaders, trainers, Coaches, and subject matter experts through coaching and train-the-trainer activities.
• Assist with providing supporting documentation for external training supports, applications and audits as required.

Competency Management & Certification

• Coordinate and manage job role certification and recertification processes across manufacturing departments.
• Ensure employees are assessed as competent before independently carrying out operational tasks.
• Maintain and update skills matrices and competency records for all relevant departments.
• Monitor employee progression through training plans and competency assessments.
• Identify training gaps and collaborate with departmental management to implement corrective actions and development plans.
• Support succession planning and workforce capability development initiatives.

Training Administration & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date training records, attendance logs, competency assessments, and associated documentation.
• Ensure all training documentation complies with company standards, customer requirements, and relevant regulatory expectations.
• Support internal and external audits relating to training systems, compliance, and employee competency.
• Assist with the administration and communication of site training calendars and scheduled learning activities.
• Generate training-related reports and KPI metrics for management review.
• Support Learning Management System (LMS) administration where applicable.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, HR, Quality, Engineering, EHS, and Continuous Improvement teams to identify organisational training needs.
• Liaise with supervisors and managers to coordinate training schedules across multiple shifts and departments.
• Support operational changes by delivering training associated with new equipment, process improvements, systems, or procedures.
• Participate in site meetings, improvement initiatives, investigations, and projects where training input is required.
• Communicate effectively with employees at all organisational levels, from production operatives to senior leadership teams.

Continuous Improvement & Culture

• Evaluate training effectiveness through assessments, employee feedback, observations, audits, and operational performance indicators.
• Continuously review and improve training materials, processes, and delivery methods to maximise effectiveness and engagement.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives as required.
• Encourage employee engagement and ownership of personal development and skills progression.