Operations Training Lead

 Company Overview
Come join a winning Team! Since 1970 Plastic Express has met the bulk trucking, bulk terminal, packaging, and warehousing needs of the plastics industry. Our strategic locations, modern systems, and dedicated employees allow us to provide custom tailored logistical solutions to fulfill the most challenging needs of our customers. Plastic Express operates from 22 full-service facilities, more than 40 bulk terminals, and 52 railcar terminals offering more than 8,500 railcar spots across the country. We are located near 9 major ports in the U.S. and rely heavily on our rail infrastructure to handle imports /exports as well as regional distribution. At many of the Plastic Express sites, we also handle some non-plastic commodities, which include; paper rolls, steel, building materials and other dry bulk materials. Plastic Express owns and operates roughly 250 trucks, with approximately 250 trailers performing full bulk truck distribution business. Plastic Express is headquartered in Houston, TX and has over 600 employees nationwide. Our goal has always been to exceed our customer's expectations, and our can do-attitude is what differentiates us from the competition.

Plastic Express employees have always been our key to success and total customer satisfaction. We are always looking for dependable & talented business professionals that will help us to grow and to continue our “Can Do” tradition.

Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the AVP of Learning and Development, this position is directly responsible for the safe, efficient, and effective training of employees across Warehouse, Bulk Trucking, and Rail Operations. Responsibilities include developing and delivering training for Warehouse Packaging, Shipping and Receiving, Drayage, CSR, and Pulverizing employees, as well as Bulk Trucking and Rail Operations personnel as needed; ensuring all employees are consistently aligned with updated company policies and required training; maintaining all training records and certifications in compliance with governing regulations and Plastic Express policies and procedures; supporting all company safety, quality, and operational initiatives; collaborating on the development and updating of training materials and procedures across operational areas; and effectively communicating to the AVP of Learning and Development all training successes and barriers.
 
Essential Functions/Duties: 

• Ensure every job and task is completed in accordance with the company’s Prime Rules of Safety and with respect to company-wide standardization and quality control processes and procedures at every location 
• Actively engage with all Operations Trainers across the company to ensure training consistency and standardization across the organization
• Provide relevant feedback and recommendations to operational leadership across Warehouse, Bulk Trucking, and Rail Operations
• Facilitate training for groups of varying sizes across multiple locations and operational areas; effectiveness as a group facilitator is a core function of this position
• Develop and deliver site-specific training, as necessary
• Exemplify the desired culture, tenets and philosophies of the organization
• Communicate and assist regularly with Operations Trainers and L&D team members to keep the entire company standardized and in compliance with required training 
• Assist Managers and AVPs across operational areas, as necessary
• Document and upload training documents in both the MyPE & EHS-I, and any other required databases/systems
• As appropriate, and based on tangible evidence, help management identify personnel worthy of consideration for advancement within the company
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable functional systems across Warehouse, Bulk Trucking, and Rail Operations, as required to develop and deliver accurate, applicable and current training
• Proficient in training development and authoring tools including Articulate 360 Rise, PowerPoint, Excel, Lucidchart, Photoshop, PowerDirector, Claude (and similar AI tools) as directed by the company
• Assist in start-up of future facilities
• Develop and assist in updating current work procedures as needed
• Provide training support for Bulk Trucking operations, including facilitating or supporting Smith System Certified Driver Training, and other required safety training when Bulk Trucking trainers are unavailable
• Collaborate with the Rail Operations team on the development of training materials, procedure writing and validation, and updating of existing Rail training programs
• Obtain and maintain required certifications as directed by the AVP of Learning and Development, based on operational need and location

Qualifications: 
Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• General management experience, ideally within the logistics industry

Preferred Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in a formal training environment
• Spanish language skills are a plus

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  These tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and climb stairs throughout the workday

• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally heavier with assistance
• Frequent reaching and use of hands to operate warehouse equipment, computers, and office machines will be required
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures and environmental conditions (warehouse, yard, and office settings)
• Must remain alert and focused while moving through active warehouse areas with forklifts, trucks, and other equipment in operation
• Visual and auditory ability to identify safety hazards, read labels, and communicate effectively in a noisy environment.

Licenses/Certificates:

• Smith System Certified Trainer (may be required based on operational need and location)
• First Aid/CPR Certification (may be required based on operational need and location)
• Aerial Lift Certification (may be required based on operational need and location)
• Fall Protection Certification (may be required based on operational need and location)
• Train-the-Trainer Certification, program-specific (may be required based on operational need and location)
• Additional certifications and functional mastery as required by the business to effectively develop and administer training

Note: Certification requirements are determined by the AVP of Learning and Development based on operational need, location, and role assignment

Skills:   

• Effective verbal and written communication skills; able to adjust content delivery to varying target audiences
• Proven interpersonal skills; relationship development and management
• Ability to work independently and as part of team
• Ability to recognize onsite risk factors and take appropriate action with firmness and tact
• Computer proficiency in a Windows environment with emphasis on MS Office suite; experience with training authoring platforms and AI tools preferred
• Must be multi-task oriented with a strong ability to handle multiple activities simultaneously
• Must be able to travel, work long hours, to include weekends & holidays, when necessary

Additional Job Details:
Supervisory Responsibility:  
None

Work Environment: 
Position is directly responsible for performing essential training functions in a warehouse and terminal production environment with an emphasis on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: 
This is a full-time, salary position. Days and hours of work may vary.

Travel: 
Travel will be required up to 35% yearly. 

Compensation:

• $72,000 to $84,000 annually, based on experience

Benefits and Perks:

• Family health benefit packages - after 90 days
• Vacation pay - after 90 days
• Holiday pay - after 90 days
• Company matching 401k retirement program - after 90 days

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and/or changed at any time at the discretion of management.

In line with Plastic Express’ Environmental Promise, the hired individual is expected to enthusiastically support all facets of Operation Clean Sweep; specifically, making a conscious effort to prevent pellet, flake and powder loss into the environment and ensure any spills are swiftly and effectively cleaned up.