Area Technical Training Program Manager - Manufacturing

Area Technical Training Program Manager

Are you passionate about developing technical talent and driving operational excellence? We are seeking an Area Technical Training Program Manager to lead the design, execution, and management of technical competency programs that build workforce capability across manufacturing operations. In this role, you will bridge corporate strategy and site execution by creating scalable training programs that equip employees with the skills needed to safely operate, maintain, and optimize manufacturing systems, equipment, and processes. You will serve as a technical training leader, driving sitewide readiness, competency development, and performance improvement through innovative learning solutions.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of complex technical training programs aligned to business objectives and manufacturing excellence.
• Partner with stakeholders, subject matter experts (SMEs), and vendors to develop engaging, effective learning content and ensure timely delivery of training initiatives.
• Serve as the regional authority for technical curriculum development and approval of training materials and instructional assets.
• Conduct training needs analyses and skills assessments to identify capability gaps and prioritize development opportunities.
• Develop and implement evaluation methodologies to measure technical competency, employee progress, and the operational impact of training programs.
• Mentor, coach, and support site-level technical trainers through ongoing audits, observations, and training effectiveness reviews.
• Oversee and support multiple in-plant Production Technical Trainers (PTTs), driving consistency, capability development, and execution excellence across locations.
• Lead curriculum updates and content enhancements to ensure training remains aligned with evolving operational needs, processes, and technologies.
• Manage technical training projects from concept through execution, ensuring quality, consistency, and scalability across sites.
• Support deployment and administration of enterprise digital competency management systems.
• Lead training-related activities associated with new capital projects, including planning, scheduling, deployment, and readiness assessment.
• Support continuous improvement and problem-solving initiatives by identifying capability gaps and training opportunities that improve business performance.
• Partner closely with plant leadership teams and PTTs to deliver end-to-end learning solutions that support onboarding, upskilling, knowledge transfer, and workforce sustainment.
• Align technical training initiatives with key business metrics, including safety, quality, production, asset utilization, shift stability, OEE performance, and service performance.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Adult Education, Instructional Design, Learning & Development, Training & Development, Technical Writing, Education Technology, or a related field.
• Extensive experience delivering technical training within a manufacturing, GMP, vocational education, or community college environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing, coaching, mentoring, or auditing technical trainers or instructors across multiple locations.
• Strong background in training needs assessment, instructional design, course development, project management, and training evaluation methodologies.
• Experience leading training initiatives tied to operational improvements, equipment implementation, process changes, or capital projects.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, systems, technologies, and operational procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across functional teams.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Exceptional attention to detail, especially in documenting procedures, job tasks, and work instructions.
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects in both independent and team-oriented environments.
• Ability to analyze training performance data and use insights to continuously improve learning effectiveness.
• Proven success driving technical capability, workforce development, and operational readiness within a complex manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a manufacturing production environment.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking, reading, and writing skills, with the ability to support teams across North American operations, including Mexico.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities or regions.
• Experience with digital learning platforms, competency management systems, or workforce development technologies.
• Experience driving OEE improvements, workforce readiness, onboarding programs, and operator upskilling initiatives.

Location & Travel Requirements

Preferred location is the Eastern or Central United States, with strong preference for candidates based in the Southeast region. This role supports multiple manufacturing locations and requires up to 50% domestic and international travel. Work is performed in a combination of office and manufacturing production environments, depending on business needs and project requirements. Must be comfortable working in production facilities, conducting training audits, supporting plant operations, and traveling to domestic and international locations, including Mexico.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a significant impact by developing technical capability across multiple manufacturing operations. You'll help build the future workforce, drive operational excellence, and create training programs that directly contribute to safety, quality, productivity, OEE performance, and business results. We're looking for a proven technical training leader with a track record of delivering measurable results, developing high-performing teams, and building scalable training programs that drive manufacturing excellence. If you're a strategic learning leader who enjoys developing people, building programs, coaching trainers, and driving measurable operational results, we'd love to hear from you.

Overview:

Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We're a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we're proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Benefits:

Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer. *THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.

Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.