Director of Learning and Development - Golden State Foods

Golden State Foods is seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Learning and Development to spearhead our organization's learning initiatives both domestically and internationally. This critical role is designed for a visionary leader with a proven track record in crafting, executing, and managing innovative training programs that promote skill enhancement, performance improvement, and professional development across the organization. The ideal candidate will exhibit outstanding leadership qualities, creativity, and the ability to align learning strategies with our overarching business objectives.

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive learning and development strategy in alignment with Golden State Foods’ strategic goals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and lifelong learning.
• Program Design and Development: Lead the creation and execution of diverse training programs tailored to various employee roles and levels, including leadership development, technical skills enhancement, mechanical and machine operations, compliance, and soft skills, ensuring they are engaging, effective, and reflective of the latest industry practices in a fast-paced production environment.
• Content Development: Collaborate with internal experts and stakeholders to develop high-quality, impactful training content, to be delivered utilizing a blended approach including e-learning, workshops, and virtual learning environments.
• Team Management and Development: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performance Learning and Development team, promoting a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Needs Assessment: Regularly conduct comprehensive needs analyses to identify developmental needs and gaps, adjusting the learning strategy as necessary to meet evolving organizational demands.
• Vendor and Platform Management: Evaluate, select, and manage relationships with external vendors and platforms to ensure the delivery of cost-effective and high-quality training solutions.
• Performance Metrics: Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of learning programs, leveraging data to drive continuous improvement.
• Change Management: Lead training initiatives supporting organizational change, ensuring employees are equipped to adapt to new processes and technologies efficiently.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to understand their unique training needs and integrate these into the broader learning strategy.
• Budget Management: Oversee the learning and development budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum effectiveness and ROI.
• Compliance and Regulatory Alignment: Ensure all training and development initiatives comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Business Unit Support: The role is headquartered in Irvine but will support the 5 primary Business Units across the nation.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Organizational Development, Training and Development, Education, Business, or a related field; master’s degree strongly preferred.
• At least 10+ years of experience in training and development, with a significant portion in a leadership capacity within a diverse and dynamic organization.
• Deep understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and the latest e-learning technologies.
• Proven record of building a training and development function using best in class tools, systems, and processes
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for identifying trends, gaps, and opportunities.
• Experience with learning management systems (LMS), digital learning tools, and innovative training solutions. Experience with Alchemy is a plus.
• Experience leveraging, utilizing, and managing LinkedIn Training.
• Demonstrated project management skills, capable of managing multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Knowledge of current industry trends, best practices, and advancements in the field of learning and development.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CPLP, CPTD) are advantageous.
• Up to 25% Travel as needed.