Product Trainer Sr

Job Information

The Sr. Product Trainer is responsible for using industry and product knowledge along with a proficiency in adult learning to lead the creation and execution of strategic learning solutions that will enable the success of Bobcat dealer sales specialists. Key responsibilities will be to ensure that product information, training content, and other tools are developed through collaboration with internal and external resources in alignment with the department’s education philosophy and the company’s business goals. This position has an overall responsibility for product knowledge spanning multiple channels and departments. 

Role & Responsibility

Training Content Delivery

• Collaborate with other managers to organize, manage, and lead hands-on, regional training events, with an emphasis on facilitation over presentation. 
• Oversee the delivery of all types of product training, including, but not limited to, competitive comparison training, selling skills to a technical audience, sales methodology training, and sales specialist on-boarding training. 
• Manage the delivery of interactive and engaging virtual events that enable sales specialists to be more effective in their jobs. 
• Facilitate instructor-led training (ILT) classes to impacted stakeholders, including implementing pre- and post-training communications and activities, and managing class logistics.        

Training Content Development

• Collaborate with instructional designers, training specialists, and other training managers to define and develop learning using the 4X8 Proficiency Design Model, ADDIE, LTEM, and other proven product design models for an external, channel audience.
• Define and generate metrics and analytics to prove the need for and defend the effectiveness of learning programs. 
• Develop and deliver remote training using appropriate educational technology. 
• Coordinate and direct regional, on-site training when needed. 
• Craft and deliver continued education plans for an external and variable sales force.
• Manage subject matter experts and stakeholder relationships to clearly identify, extract, and synthesize complex technical material into high quality, effective learning content that drives desired outcomes.
• Proactively assess business initiatives and client needs to identify training opportunities and determine appropriate solutions.

Cross-Department Collaboration 

• Deliver reports to training and corporate leadership on team accomplishments, achievements, and productivity, and makes recommendations to supervision on performance evaluation, corrective action, and recognition.
• Help define related processes to ensure alignment with business and workforce needs (including needs assessment and validation, measurements/ROI).
• Initiate interactions with other departments including product management, marketing, and field sales/service staff to acquire information and validate content.
• Collaborate with project and business subject matter experts to direct and develop new training content or revise/update existing content for outcomes-based training. 
• Identify, evaluate, and manage third-party vendors, including negotiations, setting expectations, and holding them accountable. 
• Partner with internal and/or external LMS team for eLearning course development.

Dealer & Customer Interactions

• Professionally represent Bobcat at product demonstrations, dealer open houses, field training sessions, trade shows and fairs, and other events.
• Provide thought leadership and subject matter expertise in the learning & development domain including line of sight to internal and external best practices.
• Travel to dealerships and channel partners to gain input and insight into needs and potential learning gaps. 

Competitive Knowledge

• Provide subject matter expertise for managers to plan and execute a strategy to deliver and provide evidence of industry-leading product training. 
• Stay abreast of current compact equipment industry trends, especially regarding products, sales, and dealer training. 
• Arm sales specialists with critical training on Bobcat advantages.
• Develop opportunities for peer-to-peer learning that will enable the sharing of competitive comparisons and feedback. 
   

Job Requirement

• Education required: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, engineering, technical training, or closely related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Travel required: 40-60%, depending on location. 
• Experience required: Minimum of 5-7 years of extended enterprise (channel) technical or sales training management, preferably in an industrial or manufacturing environment. 
• Ability to facilitate engaging and experiential learning programs and command the respect of sales specialists and product experts. 
• Ability to work well with subject matter experts to develop industry leading online and in-person training content.
• Executive level presentation experience required.
• Outstanding organization and project management skills with the ability to manage the delivery of high-quality, on-time programs in a dynamic environment.