Job Description

Kennedy Concepts’ mission is to enrich the lives of our guests and our team members. We do this through serving the highest level of food quality, bar drink quality, and legendary guest service in a clean and comfortable environment with an energetic ambiance. We believe in treating our team members and guests like family and we know that our success depends upon creating and retaining a team capable of delivering an exceptional dining experience to every guest, every time and creating memories our guests will never forget.

This role requires a proactive individual with a passion for teaching, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of restaurant operations. The Training Manager will work closely with Operations to properly develop all Certified Trainers (CTs) at the store level and ensure those CTs are properly training team members based Kennedy Concepts training materials. This position will partner with the General Managers at each restaurant to ensure training processes are consistently followed. As the project manager on all training projects, they will be responsible for effectively developing materials, creating an implementation plan for presenting the training to others, and for training this includes training and supporting new restaurant locations and its team members, including creating and presenting. As such, you will lead, mentor, and coach new FOH or BOH team members and trainees to ensure that they provide legendary service and support the company’s expansion plans.

Training & Development

• Design and implement comprehensive training programs for new hires across all departments (front-of-house of back-of-house)
• Perform as an effective and efficient hands-on instructor/trainer, working directly with team members to teach Kennedy Concepts standards, processes and expectations
• Educate and train new hires and current team members on positional responsibilities and Kennedy Concepts expectations and standards
• Provides continuous process improvement on education techniques for effective training
• Continuously update and improve training materials to align with the industry’s best practices and company standards
• Develop specialized training modules for specific skills (e.g., customer service, food safety, culinary techniques, point-of-sale systems)
• Analyze team members training needs and create a plan for improving performance
• Analyze & identify training needs to advance employee development, language training, and health & safety programs
• Instructs team members on restaurant food quality and safety
• Follows company policies and procedures and holds each team member accountable
• Is a team player and goes above and beyond expectations
• Flexibility to work shifts on days, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Proficient in word processing and presentation software
• Operates media equipment such as TVs and personal computers during training and presentations
• Collaborates effectively in a team environment and provides attention to detail in every area of training
• Manages multiple assignments at once while assessing and analyzing data
• Assist to ensure that all Kennedy Concepts team member training has been completed by the assigned due dates
• Provides audit support to store General Managers, Assistant General Managers and the Director of Operations
• Inputs and records required training and reports on training progress
• Assists with training programs for new store openings
• Works and observes in every restaurant to identify training needs, identify possible CT (certified trainer) candidates, and identify any other restaurant needs which could benefit from additional training

Training analysis & assessment

• Conduct a job analysis of all current job requirements to establish criteria for training needs.
• Review all current training material based on the findings of a job analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses in the program(s)
• Observe team members and meet with store leaders to assess training needs
• Analyze all current training programs for effectiveness and present proposed changes to HR Director & Director of Operations
• Conduct ongoing training sessions, workshops, and refresher courses for current employees to maintain high levels of performance
• Examine all new store opening training material for effectiveness and devise a plan for implementation
• Oversee new store opening training with the Director of Human Resources and Director of Operations to ensure that training material is being properly utilized and implemented

Training, Planning & Design

• Utilizing collected information from job analysis, position observation, and leadership feedback, regularly review all current training material and present updates to the Director of Human Resources and Director of Business Development for approval
• Design, plan and implement all team member training programs for all hourly team members
• Design specific training programs that will help team members maintain and improve skills (Continuing Education)
• Obtain, organize, or design training procedure manuals, guides, course materials, handouts, and/or visual materials
• Design alternative training methods as necessary
• Properly format all training material to ensure it is easily read, understand, and looks professional
• Design all training materials to be utilized in an LMS environment
• Ensure LMS is being utilized and managed correctly at all locations
• Learn new software, programs, and systems to effectively develop training materials
• Evaluate training materials prepared by third-party instructors, such as outlines, text, or handouts
• Review testing and improving based upon proven testing methods

Training Implementation

• Formulate implementation plans for training material and programs, applying principles of learning and individual differences. Supervise, evaluate, or refer management to skill development classes
• Present information with a variety of instructional techniques or formats, such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, or lectures
• Lead the implementation of all new software, programs, and systems through conducting training sessions with all store managers and Corporate Leadership (in a partnership with the Director of Business Development)
• Responsible for the organization and implementation of training schedules in accordance with company policies, procedures, and specifications for all new store openings
• Partner with the Director of Human Resources on training the opening team to ensure effective training of new employees in a classroom setting

Team Collaboration & Communication

• Manage Training Coordinators and Opening Training Team to include direction, assignments and projects and report status updates during weekly HR department meeting
• Work closely with restaurant leadership to identify training needs and align training programs with business goals
• Collaborate with Director of Human Resources to support recruitment and onboarding processes as needed
• Facilitate communication between teams and ensure smooth integration of new processes or systems

Training Evaluation

• Monitor, evaluate, or record training activities or program effectiveness
• Evaluate trainers and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement
• Develop testing and evaluation procedures
• Consults with management to confirm program/system objectives, operational procedures, and system/program constraints
• Assist in the preparation of training status reports, exhibits, communications, and procedures as required
• Develop training metrics to analyze the effectiveness of all training initiatives
• Audit stores to ensure that training is effectively being implemented

Ongoing Training Knowledge

• Evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual, to optimize training effectiveness & training costs
• Keep up with new training developments by reading current journals, books, or magazine articles
• Attend meetings or seminars to obtain new training methods to implement in current training programs
• Stay current on developments in training and instructional methodologies, including technology enhancements
• Completes additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Human Resources

Qualifications Required

• Passionate about team member development and mentoring
• Knowledge of training processes and adult learning
• Operating knowledge of learning management systems and e-learning platforms
• Capable of finishing projects quickly and effectively without constant supervision
• Ability to speak in front of large groups
• Conveys complex information in an understandable way
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 software platforms (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive)
• Possess exceptional problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to operate media equipment such as projectors and personal computers
• Experience working in a high demand, fast-paced environment is required
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in restaurant operations
• At least 2 years in a training or supervisory role
• Can travel and be on location as needed for training leadership

Qualifications Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in: Training and Development, Human Resources, or Adult Learning preferred
• Food Safety Certification (e.g., SERV Safe) or willingness to obtain within the first 6 months
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Work Schedule

• 45-50 hours on average per week
• Must be available for occasional weekend days and some evening hours
• Must be available for extended hours during preopening and opening weeks
• Schedule will be determined by need from Director of Human Resources

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