Manufacturing Learning & Development Training Lead

Pomona, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $81,454.00 - $103,915.35

Work Schedule

Rotating Shifts

Day Shifts

Benefits

Medical

prescription

Dental

Vision

Profit sharing

401(k) matching

Paid vacation

Sick Time

Holidays

employee appreciation events

Employee Assistance Programs

Job Description

Ventura Foods is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality food products, known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. With decades of experience in the food industry, Ventura Foods serves a diverse clientele including foodservice providers, retail chains, and restaurant operators across the United States. The company is dedicated to fostering a culture of integrity, teamwork, and ownership, which is reflected in its approach to employee development and operational excellence.

As a sizable manufacturing company, Ventura Foods operates with a focus on continuous improvement and operational efficiency. Its facilities employ advanced production techniques, safety protocols, and quality assurance measures to maintain top-tier product standards. The company offers its employees a dynamic work environment where collaboration and personal growth are encouraged, making it an attractive workplace for individuals seeking long-term career advancement in the manufacturing sector.

The Training Lead position at Ventura Foods is a salaried, onsite role with rotating day shifts, designed for professionals who are passionate about workforce development and training excellence. This role plays a critical part in the organization by overseeing the on-the-job training (OJT) experience for new hires and employees undergoing cross-training. While this position does not involve directly delivering training sessions, the Training Lead is responsible for coaching, developing, and holding accountable Certified Trainers to ensure a consistent and high-quality training process across the manufacturing floor.

Key responsibilities of the Training Lead include managing the utilization and accuracy of the OJT system and the digital skills matrix, which track employee training progress and skill levels. The role involves collaborating closely with Area Managers, Supervisors, and Process Leads to strengthen workforce capability by identifying skills gaps, recommending solutions, and documenting Standard Work procedures that align with current manufacturing processes. The Training Lead also facilitates the Certified Trainer course, ensuring trainers are well-prepared to onboard and cross-train employees effectively.

Working in this position requires a blend of technical knowledge related to manufacturing processes, proficiency in digital tools such as the Microsoft Suite and Windows operating systems, and strong communication and organizational skills. The role demands someone who is highly motivated, capable of working in a fast-paced environment, and able to foster positive relationships across all organizational levels from plant supervisors to senior management.

Ventura Foods emphasizes core values like integrity, customer focus, teamwork, and personal ownership, and expects those in leadership positions, such as the Training Lead, to embody these principles and act as trusted advisors within their operational areas. The role also involves periodic reporting on training effectiveness, new hire progress, and cross-training status to ensure continuous improvement in workforce readiness and operational performance.

Employees in this role benefit from a competitive salary range between $81,454 and $103,915, with opportunities for profit sharing and 401(k) matching after eligibility is met. Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage are effective from the first day of employment for eligible staff, alongside paid vacation, sick time, holidays, and employee appreciation initiatives. Ventura Foods prioritizes a supportive, inclusive work environment and promotes diversity to drive innovation and meet evolving customer expectations.

Working at Ventura Foods requires adherence to safety protocols and the willingness to wear personal protective equipment as needed. The physical demands of the job include sitting, standing, walking, lifting up to 50 pounds with assistance, and working in various environmental conditions, potentially involving exposure to chemicals, allergens, and temperatures ranging from extreme heat to cold. Shifts typically last 8 to 12 hours, with occasional additional hours or weekend work required.

Overall, the Training Lead role at Ventura Foods offers a career-building opportunity for individuals aiming to excel in manufacturing training leadership, improve workforce capabilities, and contribute to the success and growth of a respected industry leader.

Job Requirements

Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience in training, operations, or supervisory roles
Demonstrated training capability with excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience in at least one area of the manufacturing process
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Windows operating system
Minimum high school diploma or equivalent
Must be highly organized and self-motivated
Ability to work effectively in a rapidly-changing environment
Ability to communicate effectively with all organizational levels including supervisors and managers
Must model the company's core values of integrity, customer focus, teamwork, and personal ownership
Willingness to wear personal protective equipment as required
Physical ability to perform intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and occasional lifting of 50 pounds with assistance

Job Qualifications

Demonstrated training capability and great communication (written and verbal) skills
Demonstrated some expertise in at least one area of the manufacturing process
Demonstrated capability of technical proficiency (Microsoft Suite, Windows operating system, etc)
Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience in a training, operations, or supervisory role, ideally within the same or a similar industry
Preferred 4-5 years of experience in a training or lead role within operations or manufacturing
Experience specifically with cross-training, skills gap analysis, or implementing training documentation would be valuable
Minimum high school diploma or equivalent
Preferred some college coursework, an associate degree, or a relevant certification in training, operations, or workforce development
Must possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written
Must be highly organized, self-motivated, and possess the ability to work in a rapidly-changing environment
Must be able to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, including plant Supervisors and Managers
Employee must model the company Core Values of Integrity, Customer Focus, Teamwork, and Personal Ownership
Must be a trusted advisor to the organizational levels with whom he/she serves
Effective problem-solving, innovation, and communication skills
Must be capable of positively influencing others in the organization

Job Duties

Coaches, develops, and provides performance feedback to Certified Trainers to ensure they deliver a consistent, high-quality onboarding and cross-training experience
Responsible for facilitating the Certified Trainer course for area and others as needed
Owns the OJT experience by ensuring Certified Trainers and Line Leads follow standard training practices and consistently use the OJT system to document and execute training
Maintains and monitors the digital skills matrix, identifies skills and capacity gaps, and recommends solutions to the Area Manager and Supervisor
Ensures all training activity is accurately captured in the OJT system and digital skills matrix
provides regular reporting on new-hire progress, cross-training status, and skill readiness
Collaborates with the Process Lead to document, update, and deploy Standard Work, ensuring training materials remain accurate and aligned with current processes
Additional responsibilities as assigned