Retail Training Manager

Job ID: 4622 

Alternate Locations:  

Newell Brands is a leading $8.3B consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid® and Sharpie®, and 25,000 talented employees around the world. Our high-performance culture, unparalleled curiosity about the world around us, and talented people fuel our success. Our culture is enabled through our core values which guide all we do and how we win as One Newell. They are Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership & Leadership.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Training Manager to join our team at Yankee Candle. This role will be responsible for developing, rolling out, and leading training initiatives for our retail associates across multiple locations. The Training Manager will ensure that store teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to deliver exceptional customer service, drive sales, and represent the Yankee Candle brand effectively. Additionally, this position requires regular presentations to leadership on the status of training programs, outcomes, and improvements.

The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, able to develop engaging learning content, manage training rollouts, and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs to ensure ongoing success.

Responsibilities:

Training Content Development & Delivery

• Create & Customize Training Materials: Design, develop, and update training content, including training manuals, e-learning modules, videos, and in-person workshops tailored to retail associate’s needs.
• Ensure Consistency Across Locations: Develop training materials and programs that ensure uniformity and consistency in training across all Yankee Candle retail stores.
• Train the Trainer: Develop and implement a “train-the-trainer” approach to equip store managers and team leaders to deliver ongoing training to retail associates.

Training Rollout & Implementation

• Roll Out Training Programs: Oversee the rollout of new training initiatives, ensuring all retail teams have access to the right training materials and learning opportunities.
• Monitor and Assess Training Effectiveness: Conduct evaluations of training programs to gauge effectiveness, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments. This includes both formal assessments and ongoing informal feedback.
• Ensure Compliance with Brand Standards: Ensure all training materials and delivery methods align with Yankee Candle’s brand guidelines, values, and retail strategies.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Present to Leadership: Regularly present training updates, metrics, and results to senior leadership, highlighting successes, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future training strategies.
• Collaborate with Store Management Teams: Partner with store managers and district managers to assess training needs, address specific store challenges, and offer tailored solutions to improve team performance.
• Work cross functionally: Collaborate with HR, Operations and other departments to identify skill gaps and develop targeted training solutions for new hires, ongoing employee development, and leadership training.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate & Optimize Training Programs: Continuously assess training delivery methods (in-person, virtual, hybrid) and content to ensure it remains relevant and engaging. Implement improvements based on feedback and emerging trends in retail training.
• Stay Current on Industry Trends: Keep up to date with retail training best practices, technology, and trends, integrating innovative solutions into the training strategy.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Track Training Success: Maintain training records and track the progress of associates post-training to measure the impact of training programs on sales, customer service, and employee performance.
• Prepare Reports for Leadership: Compile and present regular reports on training outcomes, including performance metrics and the ROI of training investments.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, Business, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in retail training, learning & development, or a similar role, preferably within the retail or consumer goods industry.
• Training Design & Delivery: Proven experience creating, implementing, and delivering training programs, with a strong understanding of adult learning principles.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information effectively to both store associates and leadership.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Tech-Savvy: Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS), e-learning platforms, and training technologies. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
• Retail Knowledge: A deep understanding of retail operations and customer service excellence is a plus.
• Leadership Abilities: Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop teams.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to various store locations as needed for training sessions and evaluations.
• Flexibility in work schedule is also required, may work on holidays, weekends, and extended hours.
• Creative thinker with the ability to make learning fun and engaging for diverse audiences.

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.