Retail Product Knowledge and Training Specialist

**Retail Product Knowledge and Training Specialist**

at Design Within Reach Stamford, CT Herman Miller Retail is looking for a Retail Product Knowledge and Training Specialist to join the Retail Operations Team. The position will be responsible for leading and managing development of Product Knowledge and Training projects and deliverables for Herman Miller, Design within Reach and HAY Retail brands.

This role will be primarily responsible for creation and management of all retail training projects, including aligning projects with business goals. This role will develop and manage small and large-scale training initiatives involving the education and transition of retail teams to new platforms including the merger of disparate systems, conducting focused education and training based on needs assessments within the Retail teams.

They will be the central point of contact for Retail training, ensuring all product knowledge initiatives are aligned with cross functional departments by providing clear and concise planning and communication in order to achieve successful executions. The ability to work independently while adjusting and adapting to management styles and techniques to the uniqueness of each project is essential to success in this role.

**Responsibilities:**

Creates content and delivers instruction and training covering a range of product, systems, and operational topics.

Develops training materials and programs and recommends or utilizes vendor programs that meet instructional goals and objectives.

Formulates training outlines and determines instructional methods, utilizing knowledge of specified training needs and effectiveness.

Adapts product knowledge content for training, group instruction, presentations, demonstrations, meetings, and workshops.

Develops and identifies training tools, including existing internal content from all MillerKnoll brands.

Adapts or creates training materials, manuals, policy and reference guides for Retail teams.

Coordinates with cross functional departments and performs administrative functions necessary to deliver successful training programs.

Evaluates effectiveness of training and development programs and utilizes relevant evaluation data to revise or recommend changes in instructional objectives and methods.

Analyzes and assesses training and development needs for individuals and groups within the Retail teams.

Responsible for training project management from inception to completion.

Develop timelines and manage orderly flow of training projects from initial scoping development to execution and production of final deliverables.

Ensure training materials and projects are routed for proper approval and all sign-offs are recorded.

Align with leadership team on project timelines and ensure goals are met, working to problem solve as necessary. Ensure that all projects are delivered complete and on time.

Anticipate and manage change effectively in rapidly evolving global business environments.

Organize and lead training meetings with cross functional partnerships and key players to ensure training needs and deadlines are being met.

Regularly communicate and present training project schedules and updates to various team members ranging from junior to Executive level, always tailoring communication and bringing solutions/opportunities.

Ad hoc responsibilities as needed to support Operations and Retail Sales Management teams.

Support New Store Opening and Communications teams as needed.

**Requirements:**

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.

5 years of Training and Retail product knowledge experience.

People-first perspective on training objectives.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong content creation and organizational skills.

Ability to engage and lead Retail team trainings with presentation skills and command of product knowledge.

Ability to use tools for creating comprehensive training plans, curriculum, and learning aids.

Proactive, results driven agile self-starter mindset.

**Herman Miller is a federal contractor and is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 14042. As such, we are requiring all of our U.S.-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 8, 2021.**

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