Education & Training Manager

Ajinomoto Frozen Foods - Joplin, MO

Full-time

Joplin, MO

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Education & Training Manager develops and implements technical training programs to build employee technical skills, supporting the Factory Master Plan goals. This role partners across all levels to execute the AFNA Continuous Improvement strategy, transforming manufacturing operations into world-class standards. As a key leader, this position drives productivity by establishing robust Education & Training systems, leading training, coaching, and assessments to enhance technical skills while fostering operational excellence to achieve KPIs. Focusing on skill leveling, the Manager evaluates technical capabilities, builds proficiency, and solves problems by addressing skill-related losses with targeted education and training solutions.

Responsibilities

• Create and lead technical training initiatives to address skill gaps and systematically build proficiency across all skill levels.
• Partner with factory leadership to evaluate losses and identify opportunities for skill development.
• Analyze technical capabilities, assess whether operators have been adequately trained, and address skill-related gaps as part of a loss reduction strategy.
• Develop and implement targeted solutions aligned with the Factory Master Plan, focusing on improving safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Ensure employees have timely access to the right training and knowledge by developing and managing a comprehensive digital technical library with clear standards and accessible content.
• Collaborate with OSS/Pillar Leaders to standardize and enhance Education & Training systems that align with factory performance goals.
• Establish and lead a network of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and trainers to drive technical skill development across the factory.
• Train and guide SMEs through the Ajinomoto Train-The-Trainer program, coaching them on training effectiveness, delivery methods, and employee engagement.
• Provide ongoing development and support to ensure trainers can effectively build capabilities and maintain alignment with factory goals and standards.
• Develop and deploy learning cards for each role, collaborating with team leads, trainers, and supervisors to ensure employees meet qualification standards.
• Partner with external vendors and internal teams to reduce dependency on outsourced training by capturing, developing, and documenting technical materials.
• Support the Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) journey by coaching Natural Work Teams (NWTs), maintaining skill matrices, and ensuring understanding and execution of skill management processes.
• Champion teamwork across all functions to drive performance improvements and align training initiatives with plant goals.
• As a member of the plant leadership team, provide strategic guidance and support to ensure training efforts contribute to overall business objectives.
• Share and implement best practices, building relationships that drive continuous improvement across the organization.
• Support additional projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience; Engineering or STEM degree highly preferred.
• 3+ years managing competency systems in military, manufacturing, or industrial environments; food or CPG manufacturing experience highly preferred.
• Expertise in TPM, Lean Methodologies, and deploying technical training to an hourly workforce, with a focus on interactive and adult learning methods.
• Proficiency in leveraging digital systems (e.g., Power BI, content management, SharePoint, AI) to enhance training effectiveness.
• Strong skills in interpreting technical documents, schematics, and procedures, with a proven ability to lead change initiatives and align stakeholders.
• Willingness to embrace new technologies and drive improvements.