POSITION SUMMARY:
The Training Manager is responsible for leading and developing the plant training team while overseeing the design, implementation, standardization, and continuous improvement of all plant training programs and processes. This role ensures training documentation, work instructions, certifications, and records remain accurate, current, and audit-ready in support of operational excellence and ISO compliance.
The Training Manager partners closely with Operations, Safety, Continuous Improvement, Human Resources, and Production teams to support plant floor training needs, drive workforce development initiatives, establish sustainable training processes, and ensure employees are effectively trained to perform safely and efficiently.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in training and development, manufacturing training, or human resources environment.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Training and Development Certification
- Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
- Knowledge of ISO training compliance requirements preferred
- Continuous Improvement experience is a plus
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead, develop, and support the plant training team in day-to-day training operations and employee development activities.
- Establish, implement, and continuously improve standardized training processes and systems that support plant operations and long-term workforce development.
- Ensure all training documentation, work instructions, certifications, training matrices, SOPs, and training records are accurate, current, standardized, and audit ready.
- Serve as the primary owner and subject matter expert for plant training records and compliance documentation during internal and external audits.
- Partner with plant leadership and floor personnel to support operational training needs and ensure employees are trained effectively on plant processes, procedures, safety, and quality standards.
- Conduct organization-wide training needs assessments and identify skills or knowledge gaps that require development.
- Design, coordinate, and deliver training plans, schedules, and development programs for operations, management, and support teams.
- Develop and maintain onboarding, cross-training, certification, and recurring training programs for plant employees.
- Choose and implement appropriate training methods including classroom, virtual, hands-on, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
- Evaluate training effectiveness through employee feedback, skill assessments, operational KPIs, and plant performance metrics.
- Collaborate with Safety, Operations, Human Resources, and Continuous Improvement teams to align training initiatives with plant goals and compliance requirements.
- Manage and maintain training facilities, materials, equipment, and learning systems.
- Monitor department goals, project milestones, training completion metrics, and budget requirements.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve training effectiveness, employee engagement, and operational performance.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Proven ability to manage the full training cycle (assess needs, develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate).
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Strong knowledge of documentation management and compliance practices.
- Experience developing standardized processes and procedures.
- Ability to support and engage with plant floor operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- MS Office proficiency.
- Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- Advanced organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and process improvement skills.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of the organization.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:
- Demonstrate effective communications (verbal, written) skills
- Proficient with MS Office Word and Excel
- Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information
- Strict adherence to Company safety policies and procedures
- Conform to all aspects of OFS’ “Standards of Conduct” document
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, or related field
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in training and development, manufacturing training, or human resources environment
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience
- Training and Development Certification
- Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Experience in a manufacturing environment
- Knowledge of ISO training compliance requirements
- Continuous Improvement experience
- Proven ability to manage the full training cycle (assess, develop, implement, monitor, evaluate)
- MS Office proficiency (Word and Excel)
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and maintain confidentiality
Lightera Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Lightera and has not been reviewed or approved by Lightera.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered okay‑to‑good in many hourly manufacturing roles, aided by overtime opportunities and union‑linked increases in some plants. Some hourly titles benchmark near or above market in specific locations.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is consistently highlighted, with multiple references to a strong employer contribution. This support is positioned as part of a competitive total rewards package.
-
Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage are described as solid and mainstream. Some locations also reference on‑site or supplemental health resources and tax‑advantaged accounts.
Lightera Insights
What We Do
For decades, we have carried the beacon of innovation, leading industries, communities, and individuals into a brighter era. Now, we have brought together all this knowledge and expertise to provide complete solutions for communication networks, connecting businesses and people. Today, we are one: Lightera, a Furukawa Electric Group company. The creation of Lightera reflects our commitment to meeting the rapidly evolving demands of industries such as generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing. Through advanced optical technologies, we build brighter, more connected communities with innovative solutions. Step into the future of smart connectivity. Visit us at lightera.com.







