Senior Technical Trainer

TheThe Senior Technical Trainer holds ownership of technical training activities and plays a critical leadership role in guiding a team of technical trainers. Reporting directly to the site General Manager/Plant Manager and with a dotted line to Operations Learning & Development, the Senior Technical Trainer ensures the successful completion of Operator/Craft Job Certification programs and other related training initiatives. This role will oversee the development, implementation, and assessment of training programs, in partnership with site leadership/ department subject matter experts (SMEs), acting as a key leader in the learning & development system, while also managing the technical trainers, day-to-day.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee and coordinate the daily tasks of technical trainers, ensuring alignment with site objectives and training standards.

• Track the performance and development of technical trainers, conducting regular assessments and providing opportunities for professional growth.

• Ensure the technical training team meets deadlines and maintains the quality of training materials and methods.

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of technical training programs, ensuring alignment with operational goals and certification requirements.

• Manage the complete lifecycle of technical training programs, including New Hire Orientation, On-boarding, and On-the-Job Training (OJT).

• Monitor the effectiveness of training programs by tracking progress and evaluating training outcomes; implement continuous improvements as needed.

• Manage and maintain accurate records of training completion and certification status in the Learning Management System (LMS).

• Collaborate with site leadership and Area Operations Learning & Development Leaders to create and implement long-term strategies for skills development and certification processes.

• Ensure that all technical training activities are in compliance with organizational safety, quality, and operational standards.

• Drive initiatives to improve the overall efficiency of training programs and minimize unnecessary risk by reducing the time required for training completion.

• Personally conduct technical training sessions on all shifts as needed, ensuring full comprehension and adherence to training standards.

• Act as the key trainer for site-specific learning solutions, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guided workflows, and technical learning aids.

• Engage directly in the hiring process, assessing the technical skills of potential candidates and contributing to hiring decisions.

• Lead the continuous improvement of training processes by identifying skill gaps, conducting gap analyses, and developing targeted training solutions.

• Support the development of local training materials and solutions to address operational needs and drive performance improvements.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with trainees, team members, and cross-functional leaders to ensure cohesive training efforts.

• Partner with department managers (safety, quality, etc.) to align training initiatives with overall business goals and compliance requirements.

• Additional duties as assigned

How you will impact WestRock:

• Improve local team performance through increasing skills and time to certification (i.e., new hires and cross training)

• Cost eliminator driving training efficiencies across roles, saving unnecessary risk, and reducing the time allotted for training - a continuous improvement mindset

• Culture Contributor - lead by example and demonstrate Smurfit Westrock values daily

What you need to succeed:

Critical Skills/ Capabilities:

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and develop a team of trainers, including coaching, performance tracking, and fostering professional growth.

• Growth and Results-Oriented: Ability to drive continuous improvement in training processes and outcomes, resulting in optimized team performance and quicker certification times.

• Innovation: Capability to introduce new learning technologies and processes, integrating training seamlessly into daily operations.

• Influence: Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, fostering teamwork and collaboration across departments and teams.

• Decision-Making: Sound problem-solving abilities, with a knack for making timely and well-informed decisions.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with all shifts and personnel in a manufacturing setting.

Technical Skills:

• Training Management: 3+ years of experience in leading technical training programs, with a background in manufacturing preferred.

• LMS Expertise: Familiarity with Learning Management Systems and the ability to manage training records and assignments.

• Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), with experience creating training materials.

Others Qualification:

• Facilitation/ Presentation Skills

• Strong Interpersonal Skills

• Continuous Improvement Mindset

• Professionalism and Accountability

What we offer:

• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities

• An attractive wage, reflecting skills, competencies, and potential

• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of our daily work

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.