Director, Technical Publications and Training - Astec Industries

BUILT TO CONNECT
At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our #1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home.
Our equipment is used to build the roads and infrastructure that connects us to each other and to the goods and services we use. We are an industry leader known for delivering innovative solutions that create value for our customers. As our industry evolves, we are using new technology and data like never before.
We’re looking for creative problem solvers to build the future with us. Connect with us today and build your career at Astec.

LOCATION: Chattanooga, TN

ABOUT THE POSITION
Responsible for directing and supporting the assessment of customer and organizational needs specific to the design, implementation and evaluation of technical content and programs that facilitate effective diagnostics, troubleshooting, repair, and learning development for internal and external customers. This role will establish, adapt and execute organization-wide efforts to develop technical publications and training content, and curriculum for Astec Industries Infrastructure Solutions Group (IS) product lines. Manages content development a data-driven manner, and in full alignment with divisional strategic imperatives.

Deliverables & Responsibilities

• Primary publisher for all customer-facing technical content, including, but not limited to product operation and maintenance manuals, service and repair manuals, service bulletins, technical training content, parts manuals, and video content.

• Drives organizational initiatives and core values through learning development.
• Creates organizational training objectives, strategies and delivery methods to drive desired results.
• Analyzes current and future machine operation and service requirements to identify training needs and develop training programs.
• Utilize instructional design and adult learning methodologies to design and develop training solutions in a variety of formats to influence and contribute to a service culture.
• Manages the maintenance and execution of the learning management system, including standards of performance and evaluation of results.
• Utilizes cross-functional teams to ensure technical training needs are identified, prioritized and delivered.
• Prepares, oversees and monitors the overall publications and training development budget to assure effective management of resources.
• Measures the impact of various learning programs to ensure defined outcomes are achieved.
• Manages and facilitates online access to published technical documents.
• Establishes and continuously improves publishing standards and best practices.
• Manages best use of company resources for supplies and translation services.
• Serves on industry technical committees and influences policy.
• Ensures department recognizes and writes with consideration of product liability.
• Oversees translation of content as required.
• Adheres to Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity program guidelines at all times.
• Follows published safety procedures at all times.

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Technical Documentation, Communication, Computer Science, Engineering, Industrial Technology, Business, or applicable field. Very significant related on-the-job experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of three (8) years supervisory or managerial experience.
• Information design and architecture, training material development and/or illustration/graphic design experience preferred.
• Practical hands on experience related to diagnostics of electrical and mechanical systems in a prior role is required.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes a plus
• Experience in technical publication or technical training is preferred, experience in both is highly preferred.
• Direct customer equipment training and/or dealer equipment training experience preferred.
• Ability to create, implement, and effectively communicate strategic vision of technical content development and delivery.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Ability to direct content development with consideration of product liability.
• Ability to manage conflict and resolve issues in the most positive fashion for all parties concerned.
• Ability to identify problems or potential problems at both a strategic and functional level and make or recommend decisions to resolve the same.
• Projects strong leadership skills.
• Excellent organization and time-management skills.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. 
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one or small group situations.

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations
Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of training and tech pubs. and has budget responsibilities.  Directly or indirectly manages one (1) to fifteen (15) supervisory and non-supervisory employees to include but not limited to Technical Trainers, Technical Writer(s) and Technical Illustrator(s). 

Travel Requirements: 20% travel – regional and international