Training Operations Manager

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Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection\’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Job Purpose

A critical position within the Global Training & Documentation department, the Training Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in enabling the successful delivery of commercial and internal training services worldwide. As a member of the Training Operations leadership team, the role holder is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of global training operations, ensuring alignment with organisational standards and strategic objectives.

The role holder will manage a team supporting the full lifecycle of training delivery, including trainer scheduling, resource allocation, logistics, and financial tracking. Operating across multiple geographic regions and developing markets, the Training Operations Manager will collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure training is delivered efficiently and effectively.

Duties:

• Lead the planning, scheduling, and coordination of global training activities, ensuring alignment with the Global Training Strategy and commercial delivery model.
• Manage the operational execution of training delivery, including trainer allocation, resource planning, and logistics for both in-person and virtual sessions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across departments to ensure training schedules are optimised and free of conflicts.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of policies, process documentation, and operational standards to support continuous improvement within the Training Operations team.
• Monitor training demand and capacity, providing accurate forecasting and reporting to support strategic planning and revenue targets.
• Support the preparation of training quotations, tender responses, and customer-facing documentation in collaboration with the other teams in the Training & Documentation department.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication with customers (internal and external) regarding training logistics, plans, and deliverables.
• Liaise with the Online Training Manager and the Senior Manager of Training & Documentation Systems to ensure training sessions are accurately represented in the LMS and meet contractual and user requirements.
• Maintain oversight of training participation, completion rates, and performance metrics to support quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Product Managers, Service Managers, and regional leads to align training operations with business needs.
• Support the maintenance of the trainer competency frameworks, including for non-departmental staff such as Field Service Engineers and partners.
• Provide operational consultancy to other department teams, contributing to the design and implementation of efficient workflows and scalable processes.
• Deputise for the Senior Manager, Global Training Operations as required, providing leadership and guidance to the wider operations team.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills

Education and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in training operations, business administration, or project management, ideally within a global or matrixed organisation.
• Formal qualifications (e.g. in Business, Project Management, or Education) are welcome but not essential – equivalent experience gained through progressive responsibility in operational or training roles will be considered.

Essential Skills:

• Proven ability to manage complex scheduling, logistics, and resource planning across multiple regions and time zones.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to operational challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging with internal stakeholders and external customers.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and/or ERP systems (e.g. SAP) is desirable.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in supporting or leading process improvement initiatives, including policy development.
• Understanding of commercial training delivery models and customer-facing service environments.

Competencies and Abilities

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve results that contribute to the success of the business, maintaining focus and resilience in the face of challenges.
• Acts as a role model, positively influencing others and fostering a culture of coaching, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Makes timely and informed decisions by gathering and analysing relevant data, even in complex and fast-paced global environments.
• Understands the commercial context of the organisation and aligns actions and priorities to support strategic and financial objectives.
• Builds and sustains effective working relationships across functions and geographies, engaging stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
• Adapts to change with agility, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting transformation initiatives.

Planning and Decision-Making:

• Exercises sound judgement and autonomy when addressing complex issues, drawing on experience and insight to develop practical, scalable solutions.
• Influences and collaborates with experienced professionals across the organisation, contributing to cross-functional planning and execution.
• Applies creative and structured problem-solving approaches that align with organisational goals and uphold operational excellence.

Impact and Scope:

• Plays a key role in the implementation and execution of training operations policies, processes, and procedures that directly impact team performance and service delivery.
• Supports the organisation\’s ability to demonstrate the value of training in enhancing workforce competency, operational readiness, and customer satisfaction.
• Operates effectively within a complex, global matrix structure, contributing to cross-functional initiatives and aligning operational activities with strategic goals.
• Leads and supports workstream activities that underpin the Department Strategy, with a focus on data accuracy, policy development, and continuous improvement.
• Exercises sound judgement in interpreting and applying operational policies, with decisions influencing the efficiency and effectiveness of training delivery across regions.
• Decisions made in this role have a direct impact on operational timelines, resource allocation, and customer outcomes; errors may result in delays, increased costs, or reputational risk.

Key Internal and External Relationships:

• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders, including Product Managers, Product Specialists, Regional Service Managers, Regional Service Leads, and members of the Training and Documentation Senior Management Team.
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to support process improvement initiatives and ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based training operations.
• Acts as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding training logistics, planning, and operational performance.
• May be required to lead or contribute to briefings, technical meetings, and customer discussions, representing the Training Operations function with professionalism and clarity.

Additional Information

Join us and we\’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You\’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You\’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career\’s website (Careers – Smiths Group plc)

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