Regional Training Support Specialist

Overview

Advanced Drainage Systems is a leading manufacturer of stormwater and onsite septic wastewater solutions, committed to sustainability and innovation. With a vast manufacturing and distribution network, we deliver high-quality products across multiple industries while recycling over half a billion pounds of plastic annually. At ADS, we foster a culture where diverse perspectives drive better ideas, ensuring every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to make an impact.

Responsibilities

The Regional Training Support Specialist at Advanced Drainage Systems plays a key role in executing and supporting learning and development initiatives across multiple manufacturing locations. This position ensures the effective development, implementation, and tracking of training programs, standard work (SW) creation, business playbook rollout, and skill gap analysis to drive workforce capability and operational excellence. The specialist collaborates with plant leadership, trainers, and corporate L&D teams to facilitate hands-on training, maintain LMS records, and ensure compliance with training requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Standard Work & Business Playbook Implementation

• Partner with manufacturing locations to develop and implement standard work (SW).
• Support the development and rollout of ADS Playbooks, ensuring alignment with operational needs.
• Assist in the integration of standard work into training programs and learning pathways.

Training Delivery & Support

• Provide on-the-ground training support at multiple sites, ensuring programs are delivered effectively.
• Facilitate or support Instructor-Led Training (ILT), Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT), and training workshops.
• Assist site-level trainers in the development and deployment of training programs to ensure consistency and quality.

LMS & Certification Tracking

• Provide Learning Management System (LMS) support to regional plants, ensuring training is assigned, tracked, and completed.
• Maintain training records, track certifications, and ensure compliance with learning requirements.
• Generate reports on training activities, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Skill Gap Analysis & Individual Development Plans (IDPs)

• Perform individual and team skill gap analyses to inform training needs at the site and regional level.
• Support leaders in the development of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to drive career growth and skills enhancement.
• Work with plant leadership to align training efforts with operational performance goals.

Training Audits & Compliance

• Conduct plant-level training audits to assess program effectiveness and ensure compliance with training requirements.
• Report on regional training activities, highlighting successes, gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure training programs align with safety, quality, and operational performance expectations.

Accountabilities

The Regional Training Support Specialist is accountable for:

• Ensuring the successful development and implementation of standard work (SW) and playbooks across all sites in the region.
• Providing accurate and timely LMS support, ensuring all training activities and certifications are properly tracked and managed.
• Supporting plant teams in the identification and closure of skill gaps through structured training programs.
• Maintaining compliance with training programs and audits, ensuring adherence to ADS learning & development standards.
• Driving improvements in training effectiveness and efficiency, supporting measurable gains in workforce capability.
• Ensure regional sites implement and adhere to standardized training programs and operational playbooks, tracking compliance and addressing gaps

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

This role will contribute to and impact the following KPIs:

• Training Completion Rate: Percentage of required training programs completed by plant associates.
• Skill Gap Closure Rate: Measurable reduction in skill gaps identified in individual and team assessments.
• Certification Compliance: Percentage of plant associates maintaining required certifications and renewals.
• Standard Work Implementation Rate: Number of successfully developed and implemented SW documents at each site.LMS Data Accuracy: Percentage of accurate and up-to-date training records maintained in the LMS.
• Audit Pass Rate: Percentage of plants successfully passing training compliance audits.
• Associate Retention Rate: Reduction in turnover among plant associates due to improved onboarding and training.
• Training Hours per Employee: Average hours of training received by plant associates within the region.
• Playbook and Program Compliance: Ensure adherence to standardized training programs and operational playbooks across all regional sites, tracking implementation, usage, and alignment with company standards.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Learning & Development, Human Resources, Business, or a related field; or equivalent experience in training and operations support.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing training, learning & development, or operational support.
• Experience supporting standard work development and implementation.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage learners at all levels.
• Familiarity with LMS platforms and training tracking systems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to support multiple locations.
• Ability to travel regularly within the assigned region.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in plastics manufacturing or an industrial environment.
• Knowledge of training audits, skills assessments, and certification programs.
• Background in continuous improvement (CI), Lean, or operational excellence.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools for skill gap assessments and training performance tracking.

Company Benefits:

Health & Welfare Benefits: Medical and prescription drug plans, telemedicine (with medical plan), High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Health Savings Account (HSA), dental and vision plans, virtual physical therapy*, an employee assistance program (EAP)*, and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnification programs.

Financial Benefits: Retirement 401k program with company match, an employee stock purchase plan (voluntary), financial wellness planning*, paid parental leave*, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for child care and health care, short-term and long-term disability*, basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)*, adoption financial reimbursement*, tuition reimbursement*, voluntary life insurance (for employees, spouses, and children), and voluntary identity theft and fraud protection.

*100% paid by ADS.

Salary Range:

$80,000-$110,000

Individual pay may vary and is determined by work location, shift, and factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. ADS offers competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and competitive medical and retirement benefit programs. Your recruiter can share more specific information on the role and location of which you apply.

Why Join ADS?

Growth Opportunities & Global Presence: With a global network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 40 distribution centers, ADS offers extensive opportunities for career growth and development in various locations around the world.

Inclusive and Creative Work Culture: ADS fosters a culture of passion, innovation, and continuous improvement, empowering employees to shape industry-leading solutions. We value diverse perspectives, recognizing that they drive better ideas, processes, and performance. Our workplace is built on respect, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, ensuring every team member feels valued and contributes to our collective success.

Innovative & Sustainability Focused: Advanced Drainage Systems is one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America, ensuring over half a billion pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year.

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