Leadership Development Program Associate Jobs in Rhode Island

Join the Pack at Pet Food Experts!
With a rich history spanning over 80 years, Pet Food Experts has evolved from a small family-run business into the nation's leading pet specialty distributor, proudly serving over 10,000 pet retail locations nationwide.
At Pet Food Experts (PFX), we do more than distribute the best pet products-we fuel independent pet retailers with passion, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to community. And now, with unprecedented growth and an expanded national footprint, we're stronger than ever, ready to serve more retailers, support more brands, and make an even bigger impact in the pet industry.
The Manager, Talent and Organizational Development will be responsible for implementing strategies, tools and resources that will help Pet Food Experts engage, develop, advance and retain talent. This role will support the success of PFX talent by proactively creating engagement and development initiatives that are aligned with the Pet Food Experts culture and support organizational goals.
The manager is a business partner who is responsible for executing enterprise wide talent strategy and fostering a culture of high performance and continuous growth. Responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and managing programs that enhance employee performance, improve organizational effectiveness, and support the company's culture and strategic goals. This role involves leading initiatives related to talent management, leadership development, employee engagement, training and onboarding. The manager will partner closely with HR business partners, department heads, and senior leadership to identify needs and deliver scalable, impactful solutions. They will also lead a team of trainers.
This role serves as a strategic partner to leaders across the organization, using workforce insights, organizational development strategies, and learning initiatives to strengthen organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and talent capability.
Hybrid Schedule, 3 days in office per week Pawtucket, RI
Summary of Essential Functions

• Implement strategies, tools, and resources to engage, develop, advance, and retain talent
• Proactively create engagement and development initiatives aligned with company culture and organizational goals.
• Execute enterprise-wide talent strategy and foster a culture of high performance and continuous growth.
• Design, develop, implement, and manage learning programs for enhanced employee performance, improved organizational effectiveness, and support of company strategy.
• Lead initiatives related to talent management, leadership development, employee engagement, training, and onboarding.
• Partner with HR business partners, department heads, and senior leadership to deliver scalable solutions.
• Lead and manage a team of trainers.
• Strengthen organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and talent capability using workforce insights, organizational development strategies, and learning initiatives.

Organizational Development & Effectiveness
Design and implement organizational development strategies that align with the PFX culture and enhance overall organizational effectiveness and employee experience. Partner with leaders across the organization to identify talent gaps, strengthen team effectiveness, and support workforce planning initiatives. Conduct organizational assessments, analyze employee engagement and workforce data, and develop data driven recommendations to improve performance, retention, leadership capability, and operational effectiveness. Lead succession planning and career pathing initiatives to support internal talent growth and long term organizational health. Partner with leadership to drive change management, continuous improvement, and talent strategies that support business objectives.
Leadership Development & Learning
Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of leadership development and learning programs across the organization. Oversee the full learning lifecycle including curriculum design, content development, facilitation, delivery, and evaluation through in person, virtual, blended, and e learning formats. Develop and facilitate leadership programs focused on coaching, communication, performance management, accountability, and strategic thinking. Partner with subject matter experts and business leaders to create role specific training and onboarding programs that align with operational needs and organizational goals. Oversee Learning Management System (LMS) administration including course deployment, compliance tracking, reporting, and program effectiveness. Manage external training vendors and consultants as needed.
Employee Engagement & Performance Culture
Lead employee engagement initiatives that strengthen culture, retention, recognition, and employee experience across all levels of the organization. Own employee engagement survey processes including deployment, analysis, action planning, communication of results, and follow through on organizational initiatives. Partner with leaders to translate engagement insights into measurable improvements across teams and functions. Support and oversee performance management processes that promote accountability, continuous feedback, leadership effectiveness, and employee development. Develop strategies and tools that strengthen employee voice, recognition, communication, and overall organizational connection.
Workforce Insights, Metrics & Continuous Improvement
Establish and monitor key performance indicators and workforce metrics to measure the effectiveness and impact of organizational development, engagement, and learning initiatives. Analyze workforce data including engagement trends, training effectiveness, retention, turnover, and other people metrics to identify opportunities and inform strategy. Prepare and present data driven insights and recommendations to leadership to support organizational decision making and continuous improvement efforts. Manage budgets and resources related to organizational development and learning programs while ensuring efficient and effective program delivery.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic mindset with the ability to connect organizational development initiatives to business objectives and operational outcomes
• Strong ability to partner with leaders and stakeholders across all levels of the organization
• Experience designing and implementing organizational development, employee engagement, leadership development, and learning initiatives
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to synthesize workforce data into actionable insights and recommendations
• Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, and relationship building skills
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Experience working in fast paced, frontline operational environments
• Experience administering and leveraging a Learning Management System (LMS) for course deployment, tracking, and reporting
• Knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and leadership development best practices preferred

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in organizational development, talent development, employee engagement, training, talent management, or Human Resources, including at least 1-2 years of direct supervisory experience and/or proven successful experience leading programs/processes/initiatives in a matrixed environment.
• Experience supporting frontline workforces in warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, retail, or other fast paced operational environments required
• Proven experience leading employee engagement and organizational development initiatives, including engagement surveys, recognition programs, culture initiatives, and action planning
• Experience designing, facilitating, and managing learning and leadership development programs across multiple employee populations
• Experience partnering with leaders and cross functional stakeholders to drive organizational effectiveness and workforce development initiatives
• Experience utilizing workforce data, engagement insights, and people metrics to inform strategy and continuous improvement efforts
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and learning technologies preferred

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel 25% or more as needed to support organizational and operational initiatives across locations
• Ability to build strong partnerships and collaborate effectively across geographically dispersed teams and departments
• Comfortable operating in both corporate and frontline operational environments, with the ability to adapt communication and approach to diverse employee populations

Education
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, Education, or related field preferred
Benefits and Perks of Being Part of the PFX Pack!
At Pet Food Experts, we believe great people deserve great benefits-so we make sure you're covered from head to paw!
Competitive Pay - Because your hard work should be rewarded!
Comprehensive Health Benefits - Medical, dental, and vision to keep you feeling your best.
Retirement Savings with Employer Match - Helping you invest in your future.
Flexible Time Off - Unlimited days to recharge, adventure, or just enjoy some quality time with your pet!
Paid Parental Leave - Support for growing families (two-legged and four-legged!).
Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance - We've got your back, no matter what.
Health & Dependent Care FSAs - Because budgeting for wellness should be easy.
Pet Perks & Discounts - Exclusive savings on the best pet products!
Extra Voluntary Benefits - Convenient options for additional coverage, deducted straight from payroll.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Mental health, financial wellness, and more-because life happens.
Pet Food Experts is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military status, or any protected characteristic.
All employment offers are contingent on passing a criminal background check.
Salary Description
$85,000-100,000