Talent Development Manager

Job Summary: The Talent Development Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing internal professional development initiatives that strengthen employee capabilities, build leadership effectiveness, and support the company’s long-term talent strategy. This position will lead leadership development and training programs, coordinate mentoring initiatives, and facilitate succession planning activities to develop internal talent and prepare employees for future leadership and critical roles.

Working closely with operational leaders across the organization, this position will identify development needs, create learning opportunities, and establish processes that support employee growth, career progression, leadership readiness, and organizational effectiveness.

Essential Job Duties:

Design, implement, and facilitate leadership development programs for current and emerging leaders focused on leadership effectiveness, communication, coaching, accountability, conflict resolution, and performance management.

Facilitate leadership workshops, training sessions, and development activities using internal expertise and external learning resources as appropriate.

Develop and maintain leadership training materials, tools, and learning pathways tailored to different leadership levels.

Evaluate program effectiveness through participation, feedback, and measurable outcomes; recommend improvements as needed.

Coordinate succession planning activities, including identifying critical roles, potential successors, leadership gaps, and employee development needs.

Develop and maintain succession planning tools, talent review processes, readiness assessments, and individual development plans in partnership with managers to prepare employees for future leadership roles and expanded responsibilities. 

Establish and manage mentoring programs that encourage knowledge sharing, professional growth, and leadership readiness.

Administer and maintain the company’s online learning platform including managing course assignments, learning content, user access, completing tracking, and system functionality.  

Develop and promote company wide career development, internal advancement, and cross-functional learning.

Identify opportunities to expand employees’ skills and experiences through cross-functional assignments, job shadowing, and other development activities.

Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding employee assessments, succession plans, and other sensitive talent information.

Support internal promotion and talent pipeline strategies that strengthen organizational continuity and reduce reliance on external recruitment.

Maintain program calendars, participation records, training materials and development documentation.

Prepare reports and communicate program progress, participation, outcomes, and recommendations to leadership.

Promote a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, internal mobility, and professional growth.

Collaborate with operational leaders to align development initiatives with organizational goals, values, company policies, and workforce needs.

Build strong working relationships with department leaders, managers, and employees across company locations.

Partner with HR team members on performance management, employee engagement, retention, internal mobility, and other talent initiatives.

Provide guidance to managers on employee development, coaching practices, mentoring, and identifying future talent.

Promote consistent leadership practices and reinforce a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Support organizational change and workforce planning initiatives that affect leadership capability and future staffing needs.

Present a professional image for all employees and respond with courtesy and a sense of urgency.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid Driver's license in state of residency with acceptable driving record

Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and submit to the company random drug and alcohol program

Two years of experience in talent development, learning and development, leadership training, organizational development, or a related HR function preferred

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Google Workspace, and experience with learning management system

Exceptional time management skills, ability to meet deadlines and adaptability in a fast-paced environment

Strong facilitation, presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to handle confidential employee and succession planning information with discretion

Strong understanding of leadership development, adult learning principles, coaching, and employee development practices.

Ability to build trust and productive relationships with employees and leaders at all levels.

Strong project management, organization, and follow-through skills.

Willingness to work a flexible schedule including nights/weekends and travel to company locations as needed.

Passion for developing people.

Preferred:  

Bachelor’s degree in training and development, organizational development, or human resource management, or related field

At least 5 years experience in designing and facilitating professional development or leadership training programs, mentoring programs and succession planning.

Experience supporting leaders and employees across multiple locations or departments 

Professional HR Certification

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment: The duties of this job are performed primarily in an office environment and occasionally, in a commercial motor vehicle terminal operations environment thereby experiencing some minor to moderate level of noise due to office/CMV equipment.  Exposure to various climate conditions, fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease, and gasses.

This position may be based at any one of the company's terminal locations and may offer flexibility to work remotely depending on candidate qualifications.

Benefits:

Medical insurance including prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision coverage

Company paid life insurance with a supplemental buy-up option

Company paid short-term disability 

Long-term disability with a supplemental buy-up option

Paid Time Off including holidays and vacation

Dependent Care Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

401(k) retirement plan with a company match 

Employee Assistance Program

Rewards program and additional perks and discounts

Western Dairy Transport provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.