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Training Specialist

Location Manteno, IL / Plant Site

Department: Human Resources / Talent Development

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and operationally driven Training Specialist to design, coordinate, and deliver training programs for our U.S. new energy manufacturing facility. You will serve as the central hub for workforce capability building-covering production operators, maintenance technicians, quality inspectors, engineers, and expatriate staff-ensuring all programs align with OSHA, EPA, and industry-specific safety standards, while supporting our rapid operational ramp-up.

Key Responsibilities

1. Training Program Design & Delivery

- Develop and implement onboarding, OJT (On-the-Job Training), and continuous upskilling programs for hourly and salaried employees across production, process engineering, quality, EHS, and warehouse logistics.

- Build role-based learning paths (e.g., Cell Assembly Technician Senior Technician Lead) with clear competency milestones and certification criteria.

- Deliver instructor-led training (ILT) and coordinate virtual/hybrid sessions; facilitate both classroom and shop-floor practical instruction.

1. Technical & Compliance Curriculum

- Partner with EHS, Quality, and Engineering to create and maintain mandatory training modules on:

- OSHA 10/30, LOTO (Lockout/Tagout), confined space, hot work, and PPE protocols.

- Battery-specific safety: electrolyte handling, thermal runaway awareness, high-voltage safety, and hazardous material (hazmat) procedures.

- Quality systems: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, SPC, FMEA, and control plan fundamentals.

- Environmental compliance: EPA spill prevention, waste disposal, and stormwater protocols.

- Ensure 100% compliance training completion tracking and timely renewal reminders.

1. Training Operations & LMS Management

- Administer the Learning Management System (LMS); upload content, assign curricula, track completions, and generate monthly training dashboards for leadership review.

- Maintain training records in accordance with ISO standards, customer audit requirements, and state/federal labor regulations.

- Manage training logistics: scheduling, room/equipment booking, material printing, vendor coordination, and attendance tracking.

1. Expatriate & Cross-Cultural Support

- Coordinate technical and cultural onboarding for China-expatriate engineers and managers, including basic workplace English, local safety norms, and U.S. labor culture orientation.

- Support reverse-assignment programs (e.g., U.S. blue-collar staff training at China HQ) by preparing pre-departure briefings and cross-cultural communication guides.

1. Vendor & Budget Management

- Evaluate and manage external training vendors (e.g., community colleges, OSHA-authorized trainers, equipment OEM trainers).

- Prepare annual training budgets, track spend, and negotiate contracts to optimize cost per employee.

1. Continuous Improvement

- Conduct training needs analysis (TNA) via surveys, supervisor interviews, and skills-gap assessments.

- Measure training effectiveness through Kirkpatrick Level 1-3 evaluations (reaction, learning, behavior) and iterate curriculum accordingly.

Qualifications

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Education, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

- 3+ years of training or L&D experience in a manufacturing environment; new energy, automotive, or battery industry strongly preferred.

- Proven track record of building shop-floor technical training for blue-collar and skilled-trade populations.

- Hands-on experience with an LMS (e.g., Workday Learning, Cornerstone, SAP SuccessFactors, or Docebo).

Skills & Competencies

- Strong instructional design ability: can convert SOPs and engineering specs into digestible training content.

- Excellent facilitation and presentation skills; comfortable training groups of 5-50 on the production floor.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate) is a plus.

- Data-driven mindset: able to build Excel/Google Sheets training reports and analyze completion rates, test scores, and skills gaps.

- Bilingual in **English and Mandarin Chinese** is highly preferred to support expatriate integration and HQ collaboration.

Certifications (Preferred)

- ATD Master Trainer, CPTD, or equivalent instructional design certification.

- OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour certification; Train-the-Trainer credentials.

- Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt or lean manufacturing training background.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in a **startup or greenfield manufacturing facility** (01 plant launch).

- Familiarity with battery cell manufacturing processes: mixing, coating, calendaring, slitting, winding, assembly, formation, and module/pack integration.

- Prior exposure to unionized workforce training protocols or joint labor-management apprenticeship programs.

- Knowledge of U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship frameworks.

Reporting & Collaboration

- U.S. HR Director of Training

- Collaborates closely with plant Manager, EHS Manager, Quality Manager, Engineering Managers, and China HQ Training Center