Training & Workforce Development Specialist (Escanaba, MI)

About the Role

The Training & Workforce Development Specialist leads the strategy, design, execution, and continuous improvement of all training at the Escanaba Mill. This role supports both hourly and salaried training systems, aligns programs with corporate Learning & Development (L&D), and meets the needs of a complex, unionized manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Integrate safety standards into all training programs.
• Lead mill training strategy and provide dotted-line oversight to hourly trainers.
• Improve hourly training systems, capability, consistency, and certification processes.
• Develop salaried training programs including onboarding, leadership development, pathways, and mentorship.
• Align training initiatives with corporate L&D frameworks and tools.
• Drive improvements to training processes, systems, and technology to boost performance and efficiency.
• Support cost reduction through improved training effectiveness.
• Work effectively within a unionized environment to ensure consistent, compliant training solutions.
• Lead improvements to DMS workflows, OJT programs, and knowledge courses.
• Conduct skills assessments, training needs analyses, and gap analyses.
• Coach and develop hourly trainers to elevate instructional quality.
• Improve training data accuracy, KPIs, and reporting.
• Partner with operations to track progression, certification timelines, and readiness-to-perform metrics.
• Ensure compliance with Operator Skill & Knowledge Training requirements.
• Facilitate training development, updates, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) where training is a factor.
• Provide guidance to leaders on appropriate training solutions.
• Support Manufacturing Excellence tools and standardized work practices.
• Introduce new learning methods, technologies, and innovative training models.
• Support community workforce development initiatives as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development, Human Resources, Business, Engineering, or related field OR Associate’s Degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in learning and development or training.

Skills

• Required Skills:
  • Strong planning, project management, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Skill in influencing and guiding stakeholders outside direct reporting lines.
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret training data and identify trends.
• Preferred Skills:
  • Experience with training systems, learning platforms, and competency-based programs.
  • Ability to design, interpret, and implement training needs analyses and corrective actions.
  • Experience working within a unionized environment.
  • Knowledge of organizational development practices, leadership development, and facilitation.

Benefits

• Impactful Work – Contribute to meaningful sustainability initiatives.
• Career Growth – Access development programs and internal advancement opportunities.
• Education Support – Tuition reimbursement + certificate programs through partner schools.
• Competitive Compensation – Performance-based bonus eligibility (role dependent).
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  • Multiple medical plans with virtual care options.
  • Generous 401(k) offerings.
  • HSA contribution match + additional preventive exam contribution.
  • Dental & vision coverage.
  • Company-paid disability insurance.
  • Prescription benefits.

About the Company

At Billerud, you’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future. We’re committed to supporting your growth, well-being, and long-term success. Our proud history in the forestry and paper industry goes back more than 150 years. Today, we’re a world-leading company in high-performance paper and packaging materials—passionately committed to sustainability, quality, and customer value. Our materials are the basis of packaging and paper products used by millions of people around the world, 24 hours a day, all year round. We serve customers in more than 100 countries through our three business areas: Liquid Packaging Board, Paper, and Paper Board. With nine production units in Sweden, the USA, and Finland, we employ around 5,200 people in 16 countries. Our annual turnover is approximately SEK 40.5 billion, and our share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.