Learning and Development Specialist

Morris Furniture Company - Columbus, OH

Full-time - Mid Level

Columbus, OH

Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers

About the position

The Learning and Development Specialist at Morris Furniture Company is a pivotal role focused on executing key training programs for new hires at the store level. This position is designed to ensure that new sales associates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in a sales environment. The specialist will utilize existing company training programs while also creating new content in collaboration with Store Leadership and the Talent Team. The primary goal is to guide new hires through their first 90 days, with a particular emphasis on a two-week informative virtual training program that sets the foundation for their success. In this role, the specialist will facilitate an interactive instructor-led training program that spans two weeks, aimed at enhancing the skills of new sales associates. The position requires adherence to testing and evaluation practices to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the training. The specialist will also follow up with managers to provide updates on the progress of new hires within their training courses and series. Continuous support will be provided through follow-up sessions with new hire classes to reinforce key concepts and promote ongoing development beyond the initial training period. Additionally, the Learning and Development Specialist will be responsible for designing, developing, and facilitating engaging learning solutions that incorporate adult learning theory and a blended learning approach. This includes managing the Learning Management System (LMS) by assigning courses, tracking progress, generating reports, and updating the training calendar. Feedback from management, employees, and other departments will be gathered to continuously improve training programs, particularly focusing on the first 90 days of new sales associates. The specialist will also conduct needs analysis to develop sales training programs tailored to the specific requirements of new hires and the overall sales curriculum, ensuring that new sales associates are well-acquainted with company policies, sales processes, and tools during orientation sessions.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate a 2-week interactive instructor-led new hire sales training program.
• Adhere to testing and evaluation practices to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the training program.
• Follow up with managers to provide updates on new hire progress within assigned training courses.
• Conduct follow-ups with new hire classes to reinforce key concepts and support ongoing development.
• Assign and monitor the completion of trainings and courses to ensure new sales associates meet their training milestones.
• Design, develop, and facilitate engaging learning solutions incorporating adult learning theory.
• Partner in the management and administration of the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Gather feedback from management, employees, and other departments to improve training programs.
• Conduct needs analysis and develop sales training programs based on specific requirements of new hires.
• Lead new hire orientation sessions to familiarize new sales associates with company policies and sales processes.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in learning and development, focusing on sales training.
• Experience in the retail sector, particularly in furniture sales, is preferred.
• Deep understanding of relationship sales, sales processes, customer engagement, and closing techniques.
• Proven track record of leading training programs for impact and results.
• Proficiency in designing and developing training materials tailored to sales teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with e-learning platforms, LMS, and other training technologies.
• Ability to assess training needs, measure training effectiveness, and make data-driven improvements.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in developing e-learning content.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies.