Senior Technical Trainer

TheThe Senior Technical Trainer holds ownership of technical training activities and plays a critical leadership role in guiding a team of technical trainers. Reporting directly to the site General Manager/Plant Manager and with a dotted line to Operations Learning & Development, the Senior Technical Trainer ensures the successful completion of Operator/Craft Job Certification programs and other related training initiatives. This role will oversee the development, implementation, and assessment of training programs, in partnership with site leadership/ department subject matter experts (SMEs), acting as a key leader in the learning & development system, while also managing the technical trainers, day-to-day.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee and coordinate the daily tasks of technical trainers, ensuring alignment with site objectives and training standards.
• Track the performance and development of technical trainers, conducting regular assessments and providing opportunities for professional growth.
• Ensure the technical training team meets deadlines and maintains the quality of training materials and methods.
• Lead the design, development, and delivery of technical training programs, ensuring alignment with operational goals and certification requirements.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of technical training programs, including New Hire Orientation, On-boarding, and On-the-Job Training (OJT).
• Monitor the effectiveness of training programs by tracking progress and evaluating training outcomes; implement continuous improvements as needed.
• Manage and maintain accurate records of training completion and certification status in the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Collaborate with site leadership and Area Operations Learning & Development Leaders to create and implement long-term strategies for skills development and certification processes.
• Ensure that all technical training activities are in compliance with organizational safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Drive initiatives to improve the overall efficiency of training programs and minimize unnecessary risk by reducing the time required for training completion.
• Personally conduct technical training sessions on all shifts as needed, ensuring full comprehension and adherence to training standards.
• Act as the key trainer for site-specific learning solutions, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guided workflows, and technical learning aids.
• Engage directly in the hiring process, assessing the technical skills of potential candidates and contributing to hiring decisions.
• Lead the continuous improvement of training processes by identifying skill gaps, conducting gap analyses, and developing targeted training solutions.
• Support the development of local training materials and solutions to address operational needs and drive performance improvements.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with trainees, team members, and cross-functional leaders to ensure cohesive training efforts.
• Partner with department managers (safety, quality, etc.) to align training initiatives with overall business goals and compliance requirements.
• Additional duties as assigned

How you will impact WestRock:

• Improve local team performance through increasing skills and time to certification (i.e., new hires and cross training)
• Cost eliminator driving training efficiencies across roles, saving unnecessary risk, and reducing the time allotted for training – a continuous improvement mindset
• Culture Contributor – lead by example and demonstrate Smurfit Westrock values daily

What you need to succeed:

Critical Skills/ Capabilities:

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and develop a team of trainers, including coaching, performance tracking, and fostering professional growth.
• Growth and Results-Oriented: Ability to drive continuous improvement in training processes and outcomes, resulting in optimized team performance and quicker certification times.
• Innovation : Capability to introduce new learning technologies and processes, integrating training seamlessly into daily operations.
• Influence: Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, fostering teamwork and collaboration across departments and teams.
• Decision-Making: Sound problem-solving abilities, with a knack for making timely and well-informed decisions.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with all shifts and personnel in a manufacturing setting.

Technical Skills:

• Training Management: 3+ years of experience in leading technical training programs, with a background in manufacturing preferred.
• LMS Expertise : Familiarity with Learning Management Systems and the ability to manage training records and assignments.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), with experience creating training materials.

OthersQualification:

• Facilitation/ Presentation Skills
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
• Professionalism and Accountability

What we offer:

• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive wage, reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of our daily work