Talent Development Manager

Position Summary 

The Talent Development Manager serves as the strategic leader and architect of Hayes/Knight-Swift’s enterprise-wide talent development ecosystem. This role is responsible for designing, executing, and governing the programs, systems, and frameworks that strengthen organizational capability, accelerate employee growth, build internal mobility, and prepare the company for ongoing expansion across the warehousing and logistics network. 

Reporting directly to the VP of HR, the Talent Development Manager oversees the Talent Development team and partners closely with Operations, HR, Executive Leadership, and cross-functional departments to ensure talent strategies align with business goals, workforce needs, and our culture of continuous learning, exploration, and operational excellence. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the development, refinement, and execution of the companywide Talent Development strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, operational realities, and growth plans.
• Designs the frameworks, tools, and processes that guide workforce planning, leadership development, career pathing, succession planning, performance management, and organizational learning.
• Directly supervises and coaches:
  • Talent Development Specialist
  • Talent Analytics and Systems Specialist
  • Talent Development Trainer
  • Two (2) Senior Instructional Designers
• Builds a high-performing team culture grounded in ownership, quality, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Sets clear priorities, goals, and performance expectations for the team.
• Builds scalable, data-driven talent programs that strengthen leadership pipelines and support the development of warehouse, operations, and corporate talent.
• Leads the design, execution, and continuous improvement of comprehensive onboarding programs, ensuring role readiness, leader enablement, and integration with learning and performance processes.
• Oversees and continuously improves the performance management cycle, includinggoal-setting, coaching, evaluations, calibration, and talent reviews to ensure consistent and equitable practices.
• Develops and maintains career pathways, capability models, behavioral indicators, and proficiency levels across roles and functions.
• Partners with HR, Operations, and IT to design, optimize, and manage talent systems and modules, ensuring seamless execution across recruiting, onboarding, goal-setting, IDPs, performance management, succession planning, engagement surveys, and feedback processes.
• Oversees enterprise leadership development programs, including Frontline Leadership initiatives, emerging leader pathways, and manager capability-building frameworks.
• Ensures instructional design standards, adult learning principles, training standards, and continuous improvement methodologies are embedded across all talent programs.
• Collaborates with L&D, Operations, and SMEs to ensure talent programs are aligned with operational demands and business needs.
• Leads talent review processes, identifying successors, high-potential talent, and critical role gaps across the warehouse and corporate network.
• Implements workforce planning methodologies to anticipate future capability needs and create targeted development strategies.
• Partners with leaders to build bench strength, increase internal mobility, and ensure leadership readiness during expansion or site transitions.
• Oversees organizational engagement strategies, including survey interpretation, action planning, and culture-building initiatives.
• Analyzes talent, engagement, and performance data to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for improving the employee experience and strengthening retention.
• Collaborates on DEI, well-being, and culture programs that reinforce WEROQ values and foster a respectful, growth-oriented workplace.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Business, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in Talent Development, Organizational Development, Learning & Development, or HR leadership roles; warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, or high-volume operations experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading enterprise talent strategies and programs.
• Proven success in workforce planning, leadership development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design, and change management.
• Experience supervising and developing a team.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to interpret data and apply insights to decision-making.
• Proficiency with talent systems, LMS platforms, and performance or succession management tools.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate equipment.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Extended periods of sitting and computer work are also common.

Work Environment

• Primarily an office environment but may involve time on the production floor or in other operational areas as needed.
• Exposure to warehouse or production floor conditions, including varying temperatures and noise levels.

Travel Requirements

• Travel up to 25% to support leadership programs, site visits, talent reviews, and enterprise initiatives across multiple states.

Equipment Used

• Computer, projector, phone, printer, and other standard office equipment.
• May also use talent development-specific tools, such as talent development systems, LMS platforms, performance systems, and digital learning tools.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position supervises the Talent Development team, providing coaching, development, and performance guidance to team members and supports leadership capability building across the organization.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us: 

• Health Coverage That Starts Fast – Medical, Dental & Vision kicks in the first of the month after just 30 days. 
• Smile on Us – We’re covering your dental premiums for all of 2026! 
• Security You Can Count On – Paid Life Insurance + 401(k) with company match. 
• Time Off from Day One – PTO, holidays, and 2 floating holidays for flexibility. 
• Weekly Paychecks – Because waiting is overrated. 
• Invest in YOU – Full tuition grants & tuition reimbursement. 

EEO Statement: Hayes Company/Knight Swift Warehousing and Fulfillment is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, color, religion, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.