Instructional Designer

W Lee Flowers - Hickory, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Hickory, NC

5,001-10,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Instructional Designer will play a crucial role in assessing, designing, developing, and implementing effective training and development programs for MDI that align with the company's business plan and growth objectives. This position requires a proactive approach to identify gaps in work processes and methods through collaboration with internal departments. The designer will create tailored training solutions and tools that effectively address these gaps, ensuring that the training is relevant and impactful. In this role, the Instructional Designer will be responsible for creating engaging course content and learning activities that enhance knowledge retention among participants. They will work closely with stakeholders and subject matter experts to define business processes and learning objectives, recommending the most effective learning paths to achieve these goals. The designer will lead projects with a strong focus on quality and timely completion, conducting instructor-led training sessions that empower participants to apply their new skills in their daily work. Additionally, the Instructional Designer will coordinate and conduct Train the Trainer workshops, acting as a resource for warehouse trainers and subject matter experts to ensure consistency and quality in training programs. They will maintain the Learning Management System (LMS) to ensure its functionality and adherence to usage standards, while also planning and facilitating employee development and training events. The designer will identify and collaborate with outside vendors to create and maintain training programs, ensuring that the company's culture and brand values are integrated into all learning initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Conduct needs analysis of gaps in work processes and methods or other business needs.
• Design training solutions and tools that close identified gaps.
• Create training and development solutions to support MDI programs and departments, from assessment to post-implementation data analysis.
• Develop compelling course content and engaging learning activities that enhance knowledge and retention.
• Work with stakeholders and subject matter experts to define business processes and learning objectives.
• Recommend and develop effective learning paths to achieve defined objectives.
• Lead projects to ensure quality and successful completion within agreed-upon time frames.
• Conduct instructor-led, participant-centered training sessions.
• Coordinate and conduct Train the Trainer workshops.
• Act as a resource for warehouse trainers and subject matter experts in training development and delivery.
• Build and maintain job aids and other resource materials.
• Maintain the Learning Management System (LMS) for functionality and adherence to standards.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate employee development and training events.
• Identify and collaborate with outside vendors to create and maintain training programs.
• Work with software providers to ensure applications are up to date and effective.
• Ensure company culture and brand values are integrated into training initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, Organizational Development, Instructional Design, Psychology, Education, or equivalent experience.
• Effective business writing skills and excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to apply principles of adult learning and instructional design approaches (e.g., ADDIE, SAM).
• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize changing project tasks/deliverables.
• 1 - 2 years of retail management experience or similar leadership role preferred.
• Demonstrated competence in using PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office programs.
• Experience with Articulate authoring software preferred.
• Team player with a willingness to take on new challenges and strive for excellence.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Articulate authoring software preferred.
• 1 - 2 years of retail management experience or similar leadership role preferred.