Operations Training & Development Specialist
Quality - Birmingham, Alabama
Location
Birmingham, Alabama
Department
Quality
Employment Type
Full-Time
Minimum Experience
Mid-level
Compensation
Starting @ 73k + Profit-Sharing Bonus + Rewards
Our History:
The Storyteller Overland vibe started out as a drawing on a restaurant napkin in 2017 illustrating a desire to help people live more adventurous lives. Back then, very few had ever heard of an adventure van, and some at the restaurant table with Founder Jeffrey Hunter had doubts it would ever sell.
The company officially launched in 2018 with a humble yet confident team of seven employees. Over the next year, we worked on launching our MODE 4x4 and finding dealer partners to work with, and finally, the dream was turning into a reality.
We’ve been fortunate to be full speed ahead since then. We’ve added sister companies to our galaxy and built out quite the impressive team – hopefully you included. We hit 500 vans built, then 1,000, then so many more that these milestones became difficult to keep track of. We’ve added new vehicles to our lineup and have built a massive community of like-minded adventurers that also continues to grow.
Today, Storyteller Overland is the most expansive adventure vehicle company in North America built on an authentic spirit of adventure, a passion for exceptionally well-crafted rigs, and a deep love and affinity for the community of owners we serve.
As we reflect on our history, though, we remind ourselves that our best ideas are still ahead of us, not behind us. Here’s to saying yes to the next grand adventure!
Workplace Vibe:
We are proud to have a values-based culture, which means we focus less on rules & transacting and more on values & transforming. Our goal is to create workplaces and spaces where great people can do great things in order to thrive and flourish both professionally and personally.
Overview:
The Operations Training & Development Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering training programs that ensure employees have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to safely and consistently build high-quality adventure vehicles. This role partners closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Safety, and People Ops to onboard new employees, certify production associates, develop existing team members, and continuously improve workforce capability. The Operations Training & Development Specialist helps establish a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement by ensuring training content stays current and that employees receive thorough training on topics that set them up for success.
General Responsibilities including things such as:
- Lead and coordinate onboarding, new hire orientation, and training for new Operations team members, ensuring a consistent and engaging introduction to Storyteller’s culture, operating expectations, safety practices, quality standards, and ways of working,
- Deliver hands-on, classroom, and on-the-job training across Operations functions, including Production, Quality, Warehouse, Procurement, and other operational roles, covering applicable processes, systems, tools, equipment, standard work, operating procedures, quality expectations, and role-specific competencies,
- Develop, coordinate, and maintain structured training plans and learning pathways for new hires, employees transitioning into new roles, and team members developing additional skills or cross-functional capabilities,
- Partner with Operations leaders and subject matter experts to define role-specific competencies, training requirements, and proficiency expectations and establish consistent methods for validating employee readiness and competency,
- Evaluate trainee progress and performance through observation, knowledge checks, practical demonstrations, and other appropriate methods; provide coaching and feedback to strengthen understanding, confidence, and competency,
- Partner with department leaders to identify individual and team skill gaps and develop targeted training, coaching, cross-training, and development plans to address operational needs,
- Coordinate and deliver refresher or remedial training in response to process changes, quality concerns, performance gaps, safety incidents, recurring errors, or other identified development needs,
- Participate in Root Cause Corrective Action and continuous improvement activities to determine when knowledge, training, documentation, or competency gaps contribute to operational issues and implement appropriate training solutions,
- Develop and maintain training matrices, competency records, training materials, standard work, job aids, certifications, and other documentation necessary to track employee development and ensure training requirements remain current,
- Conduct periodic observations and training audits to verify that documented processes and standard work are understood and consistently executed, escalating identified gaps and partnering with department leaders on corrective actions,
- Partner with Design & Engineering, Process & Quality, Supply Chain, and other teams to support the successful introduction of new products, processes, systems, equipment, and product changes by developing and coordinating the required training,
- Promote cross-training and workforce flexibility across Operations by identifying opportunities to expand team member capabilities and build greater depth and resilience across critical roles,
- Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of Operations training programs and recommend improvements based on employee performance, quality data, operational results, leader feedback, and evolving business needs,
- Contribute to the overall success of the Operations teams by co-elevating with team members through collaboration, cooperation, accountability, and camaraderie,
- Perform additional responsibilities and tasks as assigned to support organizational, Operations, and team goals.
Work Schedule:
- Business hours are generally Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. The work schedule is flexible.
Qualifications/Skills:
We are in search of an experienced manufacturing professional who possesses a strong passion for safety, continuous improvement, quality and developing others’ capabilities. The ideal candidate will excel in training, communication, presentation skills and demonstrating effective drive for continuous improvement. Moreover, we require a leader who excels in cross-functional collaboration through effective communication. In order to sufficiently develop this training program, the candidate will need to be proficient with AI & Microsoft Office/Google Suite and possess strong organizational and documentation skills.
Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma, Associate’s Degree, or Trade Certificate, Bachelor’s Degree a plus+
- 10+ years experience in production or manufacturing environment. Experience in RV, automotive, marine, aerospace, or similar manufacturing preferred.
- 5+ years experience training, mentoring, or leading employees
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles
- Experience using formal training methodologies such as PDCA, 70-20-10, ADDIE, Tell-Show-Do-Review, etc
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and trends
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Scorecard:
- Learning & Development, Training & Facilitation, Operational Aptitude, Technical Knowledge, Communication, Coaching, Standard Work and Process Discipline, Continuous Improvement, Problem Solving, Data Analysis, Root-cause Thinking, Program Coordination, Cross-functional Collaboration, Influential, Relationship Builder, Accountability, Follow-through, Safety & Quality Mindset, Servant Leader.
- The mission of the Operations Training & Development Specialist is to build capability across Operations by delivering consistent, practical, and effective training that equips team members with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to perform their roles safely, efficiently, and to Storyteller standards. This role strengthens operational excellence by creating clear learning pathways, validating competency, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development across Production, Quality, Warehouse, Procurement, and the broader Operations team.
- A highly skilled, cross-trained, and adaptable Operations workforce that consistently executes standard work, delivers exceptional quality, and continuously builds the capabilities needed to support Storyteller’s evolving operational needs.
Physical Requirements:
- The ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
- This job entails prolonged periods of standing and walking around the manufacturing floor
- Employees must have knowledge of hand and power tool use
- Training and auditing tasks may require reaching, stretching, and bending to access components, equipment, and workstations as well as the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, lay down is necessary for accessing low-lying work areas and performing tasks close to the ground
- Employees must have good visual acuity to inspect and ensure the quality of processes, components and products. This may involve reading technical documents and operating machinery with precision
- The role may require the ability to hear and respond to alarms, machinery sounds, and co-worker communication in a manufacturing environment
- For tasks involving computer work or documentation, employees may be required to sit for extended periods
- Exposure to Hazardous Materials: In some cases, employees may be exposed to chemicals or substances used in the manufacturing process. Proper safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided
Candidates should be aware that the physical demands listed above are representative but not exhaustive. The role may require additional physical tasks not listed here, depending on specific job assignments and production needs. Accommodations will be made in compliance with applicable laws for individuals with disabilities.
Exemption Status: Exempt