Training Manager, Manufacturing Operations (Semiconductor or high-purity chemicals industry experience)

Acara Solutions is looking for a Training Manager, Manufacturing Operations (Semiconductor or high-purity chemicals industry experience) for one of our clients in Portland, OR.

The Role at a Glance

The Training Manager, Manufacturing Operations leads training, qualification, and workforce-development programs for employees working within Production, Warehouse, Logistics, Material Handling, and other manufacturing-floor functions.

This position is responsible for building and maintaining systems (or processes) that successfully move employees from initial onboarding and training through demonstrated job proficiency and independent qualification. The Training Manager works directly with Operations leadership, supervisors, qualified trainers, technical specialists, and subject-matter experts to ensure employees receive consistent, practical, and effective training aligned with Kanto's safety, quality, production, and customer requirements.

This position ensures employees acquire, demonstrate, and maintain the technical knowledge, operational proficiency, safety awareness, and quality standards necessary to perform their responsibilities independently and consistently.

This is a highly hands-on position requiring significant presence on the manufacturing floor. The Training Manager develops training programs and materials, personally delivers training, prepares and evaluates internal trainers, monitors employee qualification progress, identifies skill gaps, and continuously improves training effectiveness.

The position is accountable not simply for training completion, but for demonstrated employee competence, operational readiness, and measurable improvements in workforce performance.

What You'll Do (Essential Functions)

Training Leadership & Program Development

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• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of technical training and qualification programs for Production, ISO/Chemical Sampling, Material Handling, Warehouse/Logistics, and other manufacturing functions.
• Establish structured training pathways encompassing onboarding, OJT, demonstrated proficiency, independent qualification, cross-training, and ongoing development.
• Develop standardized curricula, instructional materials, competency assessments, Technical Qualification Matrices, and proficiency standards, including Operator Levels 1, 2, and 3.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, EHS, Engineering, and other technical leaders to identify skill gaps and align training priorities with operational demands, staffing needs, and business objectives.
• Maintain a strong manufacturing-floor presence, personally delivering technical training and ensuring programs remain aligned with evolving equipment, processes, procedures, and customer requirements.

Production Operations Training & Qualification

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• Oversee technical training in chemical manufacturing, material preparation, mixing, blending, dilution, filtration, chemical transfer, packaging, and related production processes.
• Establish competency requirements for safe equipment operation, setup, monitoring, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance.
• Develop hands-on instruction covering chemical identification, handling, measurement, process sequencing, contamination prevention, and safe material transfer.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) & Employee Qualification

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• Manage Kanto's competency-based OJT and employee qualification framework, including training assignments, proficiency milestones, practical assessments, and authorization for independent work.
• Coordinate structured instruction through qualified Trainers, Leads, Supervisors, Specialists, and designated subject-matter experts.
• Ensure OJT includes demonstration, guided practice, observation, constructive feedback, and documented verification of employee proficiency.

Trainer Development, Coaching & Accountability

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• Establish standards for selecting, qualifying, certifying, and maintaining internal manufacturing trainers.
• Develop and deliver train-the-trainer programs covering adult learning principles, instructional techniques, hands-on demonstrations, coaching, and competency assessment.
• Coach Trainers, Leads, Supervisors, and technical subject-matter experts to ensure effective, consistent instruction across manufacturing functions and shifts.

Training Systems, Documentation & Compliance

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• Develop and maintain standardized OJT curricula, training plans, Technical Qualification Matrices, KPA Certification Forms, competency assessments, and qualification records.
• Maintain centralized tracking of employee training assignments, completion, certifications, proficiency, recertification, and outstanding requirements.

Training Effectiveness & Continuous Improvement

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• Establish measurable training performance indicators focused on demonstrated employee competence, operational readiness, and sustained on-the-job performance.
• Monitor training completion, time-to-proficiency, productivity, qualification attainment, errors/rework, safety performance, and cross-training capability.
• Conduct floor observations and performance assessments to identify skill gaps, inconsistent work practices, and opportunities for improved instruction.

Environmental, Health, Safety & Quality Integration

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• Integrate applicable EHS, process safety, chemical hygiene, regulatory, and quality requirements into all technical training programs.
• Reinforce safe chemical handling, hazard recognition, PPE requirements, emergency response procedures, and stop-work authority.

Required Education & Experience

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• Note: Semiconductor or high-purity chemicals industry experience as an operator or technician is highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in training and development, operations, manufacturing or a related field; equivalent directly relevant experience may be considered.
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• 7-8+ years of progressive experience developing, writing, implementing, and delivering employee training programs within manufacturing or industrial operations.
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• Prior manufacturing management or supervisory experience, including direct responsibility for frontline production, warehouse, logistics, material handling, technical, or similar employees.
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• Demonstrated experience developing and managing structured On-the-Job Training Trainers (OJT) and employee qualification programs.
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• Significant experience personally training frontline manufacturing employees in a production-floor environment.
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• Experience developing technical training materials, qualification standards, assessments, and training documentation.
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• Experience coaching and developing supervisors, leads, subject-matter experts, or designated On-the-Job Training Trainers (OJT) trainers.
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Preferred Qualifications

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• Experience in chemical manufacturing, semiconductor supply chain, high-purity manufacturing, regulated manufacturing, or another technically complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience with competency matrices, progressive qualification systems, technical certifications, and train-the-trainer programs.
• Experience working within Quality, Safety, or similarly controlled manufacturing systems.
• Lean/Six Sigma, instructional-design, professional training, or related certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

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• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, adult learning principles, OJT programs, and competency-based training.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate effective classroom and hands-on training programs.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, including the ability to develop and support OJT Trainers, Leads, Supervisors, and subject-matter experts.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Strong organizational, project-management, problem-solving, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain training documentation, qualification records, training matrices, assessments, and compliance records.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to partner effectively with Production, Operations, Quality, Safety, and HR.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, learning management systems (LMS), and other training and business technology.