Learning and Development Manager Full Time NEW

You spend more than half of your waking hours working. Make these precious, fleeting moments matter by working for an organization and a cause you can believe in.    

Western Growers exists for one reason only: to ensure the future viability of its members – the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth farmers who grow the fruits, vegetables and tree nuts that feed our nation and nourish our bodies.    

Our members depend on us to help them remain competitive and profitable as they face challenges that make it increasingly difficult and expensive to do business. Our goal is to fight for them– heart and soul –every single day. We passionately advocate, facilitate technological advancements and provide insurance for our members. We do all of this, and more, from a position of leadership in the agriculture industry. This mission requires a team of intelligent, inquisitive and innovative individuals connected for our common purpose.    

The core company philosophy that strengthens our mission is that everything starts with people. Every employee of the organization has access to research-based training to encourage and support Outward Inclusion philosophy and our DEI initiatives. As an element of this training, employees are encouraged to recognize that there isn’t a work life and a home life, there is one life. This recognition throughout the organization emphasizes the value of finding a healthy and happy balance in every employee’s life. One way that is realized for employees of Western Growers is flexible work arrangements with work-from-home, in- office or hybrid options.    

At Western Growers, we recognize and welcome the many qualities you can bring to the team.    

Grow with us.    

Compensation: $85,919.49 – $111,695.13 with a rich benefits package that includes profit-sharing. 

Job Description Summary

The Learning and Development Manager, reporting directly to Western Growers Association’s Corporate Counsel, is responsible for assessing the developmental needs of Western Growers’ Members and Western Growers Family of Companies (WFGC) stakeholders, helping to drive training initiatives, and identifying and arranging suitable training solutions. This position involves actively searching, creatively designing, and implementing effective methods to educate and enhance performance. Responsibilities include developing, delivering, and maintaining a system of training, development, and educational opportunities, such as risk-based training and supervisory and leadership training, for external and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, or related field and four (4) to six (6) years of progressive training & organizational development delivery and program management experience preferred.
• Exceptional fluency in speaking, reading, and writing both English and Spanish and a solid understanding of cultural nuances of the Spanish language when translating written material.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver complex Human Resources, management and leadership concepts in both English and Spanish.
• Exceptional understanding of the psychology of adult learning concepts and principles and demonstrated ability to present to both small and large groups.
• Moderate knowledge of the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) and/or the ADDIE model for developing workforce training.
• Highly proficient in various software leading to the development of job aids, training material/content for instructor lead or web-based training.
• Ability to observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources.
• Ability to communicate with people outside the organization and represent the organization to customers, members, and other external sources.
• Knowledge of agriculture labor issues (e.g., CA Wage Order 14, labor, regulatory, and compliance) highly desirable.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing exceptional customer services.
• Verifiable, clean DMV record and the ability to travel to various locations throughout the U.S. (mainly California and Arizona) up to 45% of the time.
• High level of learning agility committed to professional growth.
• Collaboration skills including the ability to work with diverse perspectives of external stakeholders (including Western Growers Association member companies and third-party vendors), and internal stakeholders (including executives, department managers, team leads, and employees across all levels).
• Flexible and adaptable to changing business needs and priorities.
• PHR /SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP highly desirable.
• Internet access provided by a cable or fiber provider with 40 MB download and 10 MB upload speeds.
• Home router with wired Ethernet (wireless connections and hotspots are not permitted).
• A designated room for your office or steps taken to protect company information (e.g., facing computer towards wall etc.)
• A functioning smoke detector, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit on site.

Duties And Responsibilities

Training Operations

• Serve as the WG University subject matter expert, collaborating with external and internal stakeholders, to design, develop, and deliver engaging and scalable online and onsite training resources.
• Ensure WG University classes offered are directly relevant to the needs and priorities of external and internal stakeholders.
• Develop professional relationships with external and internal stakeholders and act as a resource for questions, issues, and training needs.
• Travel extensively to agricultural regions to deliver training (45%). Mostly California and Arizona but can include national locations as well.
• Provide consultative services to external and internal stakeholders about their training needs, questions, and other requests. Input relevant information about member interactions into the company’s Association Management Software (AMS).
• Respond to inquiries (including those generated through the AMS) requesting information concerning WG University and Western Growers Association (WGA) member service offerings.
• Develop and maintain a calendar of external and internal training events.
• Administer post-training assessments and surveys for all stakeholders to gather feedback and measure WG University program success.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to plan, coordinate and deliver mandatory training (e.g., Arbinger Outward Inclusion and Performance) and WG University offered training as requested, ensuring alignment with organizational goals; perform associated administrative tasks and maintain accurate training records using the WGA Learning Management System (LMS).

Instructional Design

• Work with the WGFC legal team on content creation, particularly on content relating to employment law.
• Conduct needs assessments of WGA member company’s HR practices, leadership and management development strategies, and safety training needs.
• Develop training curriculum, job aids, and training guides for external and internal stakeholders, and present them efficiently and effectively.
• Oversee the creation and updating of WG University training materials and resources for internal and external stakeholders.

Workforce Development

• Utilize networking events and attendance at seminars to identify and develop cross-promotional opportunities for promoting WGFC’s products and services to members and potential members.
• Organize training events for WGA members on relevant topics, either in collaboration with the legal department or independently, across various member regions. Ensure all arrangements for venue, catering, and member appreciation gifts are completed for each event.
• Contribute to the creation of learning and development, leadership and management, and HR-related content for various Western Growers publications and WG University marketing efforts.
• Oversee the tracking of external and internal training, education, and development efforts, maintain training records (transcripts/rosters), and formally recognize individual achievement.
• Conduct needs assessments and provide input into existing training strategies, development of new training strategies and specific development plans (including career progression frameworks and future leadership roles) at the direction of internal stakeholders.
• Assist in planning and preparing the annual WG University budget.
• Independently analyze relevant data to gauge WG University program success and identify areas for improvement and innovation. Conduct program evaluations and produce program reports with data insights to drive improvements and innovations.

Other

• Utilize all capabilities to satisfy one mission — to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members. Do everything possible to help members succeed by being curious and striving to understand what others are trying to achieve, planning, and executing work helpfully and collaboratively. Be willing to adjust efforts to ensure that work and attitude are helpful to others, be self-accountable, create a positive impact, and be diligent in delivering results.
• Maintain a clean DMV record and the ability to travel to locations throughout the U.S. (mainly California and Arizona) up to 45% of the time.
• Maintain internet speed of 40 MB download and 10 MB upload and router with wired Ethernet.
• Maintain and service safety equipment (e.g., smoke detector, fire extinguisher, first aid kit).
• Maintain a HIPAA-compliant workstation and utilize appropriate security techniques to ensure HIPAA-required protection of all confidential/protected client data.
• All other duties as assigned.