Production Operations Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

WireCo is the strength behind the world's evolution, through deep legacy and forward thinking, we create premium ropes that inspire innovation without limits. Our global footprint includes manufacturing plants, distribution facilities, and research and development centers around the world.

WireCo offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including wages plus bonus program, paid time off, paid holidays, medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match, 100% company-paid life insurance, and 100% company-paid disability insurance.

For more information, check out our website at www.wireco.com and the following videos:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CJwd_yXZA

Role Description

The US Training Manager is responsible for designing and leading a structured training and development program for hourly and production team members across U.S. operations. This role focuses on creating a strong 30-60-90 day onboarding experience and building sustainable cross-training programs that improve retention, workforce flexibility, safety, and product quality.

This leader partners closely with Plant Managers, Operations Leaders, HR, and Safety to ensure employees are trained, confident, and capable of performing multiple roles that support operational continuity and customer delivery.

The candidate must exhibit and proactively motivate others in the behaviors of the WireCo Business System (WBS):

• Teamwork - welcomes an environment of inclusiveness and healthy debate that reflects our team's strength
• Accountable - celebrates our successes, learn from failures, avoid excuses, and own the outcomes of our efforts
• Self-Aware - demonstrates an understanding of our strengths and needs, considering how our actions impact others
• Noble Intent - acts in the interests of others, approaching our work with integrity to ensure the best outcome
• Determined - takes initiative, share ideas and find solutions to win and achieve our goals
• Transparent - promotes open and honest communication and constructive feedback for clarity and truth
• Curious - seeks knowledge and outside input to test our way of thinking, challenging the status quo

Duties & Responsibilities

Onboarding Excellence (30-60-90 Day Focus)

• Design and standardize a 30-60-90 day onboarding program for all hourly/production roles
• Ensure new hires receive consistent training on safety, quality, and operational expectations
• Develop onboarding checklists, job training guides, and leader tools
• Partner with site leaders to ensure onboarding is executed with consistency and accountability
• Measure and improve new hire retention and early performance indicators

Cross-Training & Workforce Flexibility

• Develop cross-training matrices for key production roles at each site
• Create structured cross-training pathways that enable workforce flexibility
• Support sites in identifying skill gaps and building bench strength
• Establish certification and skill validation processes for hourly team members
• Partner with operations to reduce single-point dependency on roles

Training Program Development

• Build and maintain role-based training materials and job instruction guides
• Standardize training content while allowing for site-specific needs
• Implement train-the-trainer capability at each site
• Leverage visual, hands-on, and practical training methods appropriate for production teams

Safety, Quality, and Operational Alignment

• Integrate safety and quality expectations into all training programs
• Partner with Safety and Quality leaders to reinforce safe work practices
• Ensure training supports operational KPIs and customer delivery needs

Retention & Engagement

• Use training as a tool to improve retention and employee engagement
• Create development pathways for hourly employees to grow skills and opportunities
• Monitor turnover trends and adjust training approach accordingly

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Track training effectiveness through metrics such as:
  • 30/60/90 day retention
  • Time to proficiency
  • Cross-training coverage by role
  • Safety and quality performance trends
  • Continuously improve training programs based on feedback and results

Key Competencies

• Operational mindset with people development focus
• Practical, hands-on training approach
• Ability to translate processes into simple, effective training tools
• Collaboration across HR, Operations, Safety, and Quality
• Data-driven and results oriented

Success Measures

• Improved new hire retention at 90 days
• Increased cross-training coverage across production roles
• Reduced time to proficiency for new employees
• Improved safety and quality performance trends
• Positive feedback from site leaders and team members on training effectiveness

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Organizational Development, Operations, or a related field preferred, or six years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of experience in training, manufacturing operations, or workforce development
• Experience working with hourly/production teams in a manufacturing or distribution environment
• Strong understanding of onboarding, adult learning principles, and skills development
• Ability to influence plant leadership and drive accountability without direct authority
• Strong organizational and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a strong plus

Travel

• Travel to U.S. manufacturing and distribution sites as needed (approximately 30-40%).

Materials and Equipment Directly Used

• Standard office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, and multifunction copier

Additional Information

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction
• An applicant must complete a satisfactory background check post-offer of employment.  A criminal conviction will not be an automatic bar to employment.
• Must be willing and able to pass a post-offer drug screen and physical
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability