Mgr, Design & Development

Posted Yesterday
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Lake Forest, IL, USA
Hybrid
96K-160K Annually
Senior level
eCommerce • Information Technology • Retail • Industrial
North America's leading B2B supplier of maintenance, repair and operating supplies and related services.
The Role
Lead design and development for sales learning portfolio, applying adult learning frameworks to create onboarding, capability-building, continuous learning, and on-demand experiences. Standardize authoring tools, evaluate emerging modalities (e.g., simulations, AI), govern COE standards, partner with stakeholders to prioritize work, measure COE effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement and project management across large initiatives.
Summary Generated by Built In
Work Location Type: Hybrid
Req Number 331260
About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2025 revenue of $17.9 billion. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.
Compensation
The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is $95,900.00 - $159,800.00. This role is eligible for an incentive target of up to 15 %, based on the achievement of individual and company performance objectives in accordance with the current terms of the incentive program which are subject to change.
Rewards and Benefits
With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
  • 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
  • 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
  • Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
  • Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

For additional information and details regarding Grainger's benefits, please click on the link below:
https://experience100.ehr.com/grainger/Home/Tools-Resources/Key-Resources/New-Hire
Grainger Benefits
The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills.
The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above.
Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.
Position Details
The Sales Learning and Development Team provides role-specific learning for over 4,500 North American Sales and KeepStock team members and leaders that builds capabilities to drive profitable growth. COE Managers own operational excellence, continuous improvement, and incorporation of impactful emerging trends for their area of practice - Facilitation and Coaching, Design and Development, or Learning Operations. As part of the Learning Leadership team, COE Managers oversee a learning portfolio that includes onboarding/capability building programs, on demand learning and role-specific continuous learning. The team is charged with accelerating team member growth through role transitions and strengthening current team members skills as measured by learning, behavior, and performance metrics. You will work hybrid 2 days per week from our Lake Forest, IL office; remote/virtual candidates may be considered with increased travel.
You Will
  • Specific Responsibilities for Manager, Design and Development COE
    • Oversees learning design and development across the entire learning portfolio including formal capability building programs, large scale initiatives including NSSM, role-specific continuous learning, and on demand in-the-moment learning.
    • Champions disciplined use of learning frameworks and methodologies to design learning that drives performance improvement across design team. Incorporates a deep understanding of adult learning principles and an evolving view of how team members' learn to inform COE's design and development standards.
    • Standardizes on suite of authoring tools and experiences that address performance gaps, engage participants and fostering development efficiency. Stays abreast of industry trends on emerging modalities including digital immersive simulations and more extensive AI solutions. Consults on adoption of these modalities, analyzes make/buy decisions, and oversees vendor selection and ongoing relationships.
    • Governs and champions use of COE standards by other teams building select learning.
  • Common Learning COE Manager Responsibilities
    • Champions COE standards, processes, and tools that drive high-quality consistent COE learning output and establishes strong connection points including clear handoffs and standard artifacts with other learning COEs, Program Managers and stakeholder groups
    • Partners with Program Managers, Sales Effectiveness Intake Leads, and other key stakeholders to prioritize and scope new work in alignment with GBU priorities. Manages disciplined COE resource staffing process with the dual objective to deliver timely consistent high-quality work output along with growth of individual team members' capabilities
    • Owns COE effectiveness and efficiency goals. Develops metrics and measurement tracking processes and use these measures to drive continuous improvement around seller effectiveness and operational efficiency. Partners with Program Managers to analyze program-specific COE data and feedback to ensure operational excellence at a program-level.
    • Collaborates with Learning Leadership Team, COE and Program Managers, to optimize impact of overall learning portfolio and operational excellence across the broader team. Also collaborates with Learning Leadership team to evolve the learning roadmap incorporating a clear understanding of the needs of our customers, the team members we serve, external learning trends and innovations to optimize the learning environment.
    • Supports stakeholder alignment and communication with key business leaders most typically in partnership with Program Managers.
    • Stays abreast of emerging trends and practices leveraging internal Learning Partner network and external organizations and thought leaders.
    • Owns collaborative project management across COEs for large, prioritized initiatives. Builds internal team project management discipline and practices leveraging standard tools and processes

You Have
  • Bachelor's Degree Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Adult Education, or related fields required
  • 7+ years serving as an informal and formal leader across multiple learning areas of practice with experience operationalizing and scaling, with demonstrated ability to ability to coach and have difficult conversations required
  • Ability to travel 20-30%
  • Strong business acumen including knowledge of Grainger business, our customers and the sales and service teams preferably gained through direct field experience.
  • Deep expertise in adult learning including learning frameworks, methodologies, technology, best practices, and emerging trends and driving performance improvement
  • Strong design and development skills and ability and familiarity with range of AI type solutions
  • Process orientation/ continuous Improvement focus with strong ability to redesign processes to drive productivity and service improvements
  • Strong program/project management, skills overseeing large scale projects or workstreams
  • Strong collaboration skills and desire to partner closely with others
  • Continuing Education learning certifications desirable
  • Ability to lift <25>

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one's employment, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.
#LI-hybrid
#LI-LE1

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Adult Education, or related field
  • 7+ years leading across multiple learning areas of practice with experience operationalizing and scaling and ability to coach and hold difficult conversations
  • Ability to travel 20-30%
  • Strong business acumen and knowledge of Grainger business and sales/service teams
  • Direct field experience (preferable method for gaining business acumen)
  • Deep expertise in adult learning frameworks, methodologies, technologies, and emerging trends to drive performance improvement
  • Strong design and development skills and familiarity with a range of AI-type solutions
  • Familiarity with authoring tools, vendor selection, and managing vendor relationships
  • Process orientation and continuous improvement focus, with ability to redesign processes to improve productivity and service
  • Strong program/project management skills overseeing large-scale projects or workstreams
  • Strong collaboration skills and ability to partner closely with stakeholders
  • Continuing education/learning certifications
  • Ability to lift under 25 pounds

What the Team is Saying

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Grainger Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Retirement Support Company communications describe an automatic 6% 401(k) contribution for U.S. team members, on top of employee deferrals. This is positioned as a standout feature compared with many employers.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Employer materials emphasize “industry‑leading” paid time off and holidays alongside enhanced parental leave and wellbeing support. PTO breadth is highlighted as a core element of the package.
  • Healthcare Strength Corporate pages and press statements highlight comprehensive medical coverage, mental‑health/EAP, and financial‑wellbeing programs. The breadth of health resources is presented as a key component of total wellbeing.

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The Company
HQ: Lake Forest, IL
26,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1927

What We Do

Grainger is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. We Keep The World Working® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with products delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. We’re dedicated to providing value for customers, fostering an engaging culture for team members and driving strong financial results. Our welcoming workplace enables you to learn, grow and make a difference by keeping businesses running and their people safe. As a Platinum Employer on the Where You Work Matters list, a 2026 Glassdoor Best Place to Work and a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, we’re looking for passionate people to join our team as we continue leading the industry. Find your way with Grainger at jobs.grainger.com.

Why Work With Us

We're proud of our people-focused culture. We embrace new ways of thinking and recognize everyone as an individual. At Grainger, we have a welcoming workplace where you can fell comfortable, confident and learn and grow at any career stage, all while fulfilling our purpose to keep the world working.

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Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Typical time on-site: Flexible
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