About LiDestri Foods
LiDestri Foods has grown from our roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer to become an R&D engine, formulating and producing innovative food products for our national and retailer brand partners. A family-run company based in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs over 1,000 people across three U.S. locations. We have decades-long partnerships with some of the most respected consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and the most highly inventive retailer brands.
Excellent Pay and Benefits:
- Great career-pathing
- Professional development, including unlimited online training courses
- Health insurance with premium contributions
- Dental, vision, HSA
- 100% company paid life insurance and long-term disability
- 401k – with employer match
- Paid time off to include- vacation, sick pay, wellness time off, and 10 holidays
- Company bonuses
- And many more….
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Manufacturing Technical Training Manager is responsible for developing the technical capability of the manufacturing workforce by analyzing skilled positions, defining proficiency requirements, and building structured qualification programs that enable employees to perform their jobs safely, efficiently, and consistently. This role partners directly with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Quality, Sanitation, and Engineering to identify critical job tasks and translate operational knowledge into standardized learning and qualification systems.
Using DACUM occupational analysis and the SCID (Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development) methodology, the Manufacturing Technical Training Manager works with subject matter experts (SMEs) to document best practices and develop competency-based training that accelerates employee proficiency, supports operational excellence, and preserves critical technical knowledge across the organization.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Workforce Capability Development
Lead the analysis and development of technical training programs for manufacturing positions, including Production Support, Machine Operators, Process Operators, Warehouse, Maintenance, Sanitation, Quality, and Team Leads.
- Define role-specific competencies, qualification standards, learning paths, and cross-training strategies that support operational flexibility and workforce readiness.
Job & Task Analysis
- Conduct job and task analyses using DACUM and SCID methodologies to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful job performance.
- Partner with operational leaders and subject matter experts to continuously evaluate changing processes and maintain accurate competency profiles.
- Interface with Human Resources on skill requirements for job descriptions and coordinate skills checklist for promotions or any job change to a different position (i.e., lateral move, demotion, etc.).
Standardized Work & Technical Documentation
- Develop and maintain standardized operational documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, job breakdown sheets, job aids, qualification checklists, and visual work standards that ensure consistent execution across shifts and facilities.
- Develop and manage document control processes to optimize visibility of and access to materials.
Technical Training & Qualification
- Design practical, equipment-focused learning experiences that include hands-on training, operator certification programs, task books, skill assessments, proficiency demonstrations, and train-the-trainer materials.
- Collaborate with the Learning & Development team to develop supporting e-learning modules while maintaining ownership of technical content and job proficiency requirements.
- Provide support to Human Resources for onboarding and training requirements for new hires and temporary employees.
Operational Partnership & Continuous Improvement
- Serve as the primary training partner for manufacturing operations by supporting new equipment launches, process changes, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Capture tribal knowledge, standardize best practices, and continuously improve workforce capability through observation, coaching, and feedback from operational leaders.
- Work closely with site Training Coordinator/Specialist (CA) and Training Specialists (NY) for execution of the training program, curriculum, and skills checklists.
- Work in a safe manner consistent with Company safety policies and regulations.
- Report food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
Performance Measurement
- Develop and monitor workforce capability metrics, including qualification status, time-to-proficiency, cross-training coverage, equipment certifications, and skills gap analyses.
- Provide leaders with actionable insights that improve workforce readiness and operational performance.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, Workforce Development, Education, Organizational Development, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and manufacturing experience may be considered.
Experience
- Five or more years of manufacturing experience, preferably in food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.
- Experience conducting job and task analysis using DACUM, SCID, or other competency-based methodologies.
- Experience developing technical training, standardized work, and qualification systems for manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-functional teams and partner effectively with operational leaders and subject matter experts.
- Project or program management experience preferred.
Knowledge & Skills
- Manufacturing operations and equipment (high speed and manual)
- DACUM and SCID methodologies
- Competency-based workforce development
- Standardized work and technical documentation
- Adult learning principles and facilitation
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
- Project management, communication, and influence without authority
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Regularly required to sit, use hands
- Occasionally need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, with a potential of up to 25 pounds
- Sedentary office environment
- Occasional exposure to manufacturing plant floor requiring the use of personal protective equipment (ear plugs, safety glasses, bump cap, skid-resistant leather shoes, etc.);
- Must follow Good Manufacturing Practice (hair net, no jewelry, no fake nails or eyelashes, no food/drink, gum, etc. in manufacturing Plant
DISCLAIMER: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, Workforce Development, Education, Organizational Development, or a related field; equivalent education and manufacturing experience may be considered.
- Five or more years of manufacturing experience, preferably in food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.
- Experience conducting job and task analysis using DACUM, SCID, or other competency-based methodologies.
- Experience developing technical training, standardized work, and qualification systems for manufacturing environments.
- Ability to facilitate cross-functional teams and partner effectively with operational leaders and subject matter experts.
- Project or program management experience.
- Knowledge of manufacturing operations and high-speed and manual equipment.
- Knowledge of competency-based workforce development, standardized work, technical documentation, adult learning principles, and facilitation.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement.
- Project management, communication, and influence-without-authority skills.
What We Do
LiDestri Foods is a premier private label and contract manufacturer of food, beverages, and spirits, specializing in sauces, dips, and salsas, and producing over 40 million cases annually.
