Technical Training Manager

The Wonderful Company•Del Rey, CA

5h•$100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

As a member of the Advanced Manufacturing Team, the Technical Training Manager is responsible for the strategy, development, and execution of technical training programs that build sustainable operator and maintenance capability across the facility. This role focuses on standardizing technical documentation, developing structured skill-progression frameworks, and elevating equipment knowledge to support safety, quality, reliability, and operational excellence. Reporting to the Associate Director of Advanced Manufacturing, this role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Food Safety to translate equipment complexity and tribal knowledge into clear, scalable, and audit-ready training systems. The Technical Training Manager provides direct supervision to Technical Trainers and Training Coordinators and plays a key role in the site’s long-term manufacturing capability roadmap.

Requirements

BS/BA in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Organizational Development, or a related technical field.
Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment, automation, and maintenance fundamentals.
Experience developing hands-on, technical training for frontline manufacturing teams.
Experience administering LMS platforms and working with MES/ERP systems.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical, usable training; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
Ability to perform skills gap analyses and connect training outcomes to performance.
Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional initiatives.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of experience in a Technical Training leadership role within a highly automated manufacturing environment (e.g., Automotive, Aerospace, or High-Tech Food Processing).
Lean Six Sigma, TPM, or CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development) credentials are a plus.

Responsibilities

Design and implement structure technical training for operator, maintenance and technical roles across manufacturing lines.
Develop role-based skill progression models that align to operational needs.
Partner with Advanced Manufacturing leadership to align training initiatives with equipment upgrades, new line launches, and capital projects.
Support the transition from informal, experience-based training to standardized competency-based learning.
Lead the creation, standardization, and governance of: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Standard Work and One Point Lessons (OPLs) Equipment start-up, shutdown and preventive maintenance standards.
Ensure documentation is visual, easy to use, version-controlled, and audit ready.
Capture tribal knowledge from experienced operators and technicians and convert it into formal training material.
Maintain consistency of documentation across lines, shifts and equipment platforms.
Govern the Technical Learning Management Systems (LMS), ensuring compliance with safety, quality and food safety requirements.
Develop and manage competency matrices and skill certification programs for operators and skilled trades.
Implement training metrics that connect learning outcomes to operational KPIs.
Manage the technical training budget and prioritize investments based on operational impact.
Lead the Education & Training (E&T) Pillar within the site’s Lean/TPM framework, focusing on technical autonomy.
Supervise Technical Trainers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), providing coaching on instructional design and technical mentorship.
Serve as a member the enterprise Learning Council
Build a sustainable “Train-the-Trainer” model across shifts and departments.
Develop and promote technical career pathways to improve retention and internal mobility.
Maintain a consistent presence on the manufacturing floor to identify skill gaps and equipment-related pain points.
Serve as a liaison between HR compliance requirements and technical manufacturing needs.
Support audits, regulatory inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives as related to training and documentation.

Benefits

Access to top-notch medical coverage comprehensive vision and dental plans, and a 401k with match eligibility to secure your financial future and including:
24/7 online physician consultations
virtual mental health resources
life coaching
engaging employee community groups
cash rewards for healthy habits and fitness reimbursements
library of on-demand fitness videos
Career Advancement Opportunities: Unlock your potential with clear paths for career progression and internal mobility across our diverse family of brands and business units.
Focused Learning and Development: Grow as a leader with our dedicated Learning and Organizational Development department, offering extensive resources like People Manager and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses.
Empowering Mentorship Program: Connect with colleagues through our company-wide mentorship program to share goals, overcome challenges, and drive your career forward.
Continuous Improvement Training: Participate in training that empowers all employees to learn and implement concepts that drive significant, positive change in the workplace.
Giving Back to the Community: Make a difference with Wonderful Giving, allowing you to allocate company-provided funds to up to three charities of your choice, and join Wonderful Neighbor to contribute to group service projects within our local communities.