Astec Industries

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Director, Skilled Trade Development

Job Title

Director, Skilled Trade Development

Job ID

27770886

Location

Chattanooga, TN,

Other Location

Description

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

The Director of Skilled Trade Development leads the development, coordination, and delivery of skilled trade training programs that strengthen the company’s manufacturing workforce. This role is responsible for building a sustainable pipeline of qualified trades talent—including welders, machinists, maintenance technicians, fabricators, and electricians—through apprenticeship programs, technical upskilling, partnerships with trade schools, and standardized training frameworks across all manufacturing sites. The Director collaborates closely with Plant Leadership, Operations, HR, and Engineering to ensure skilled trade capabilities align with safety, quality, and production requirements.

Deliverables & Responsibilities

Strategic Program Development

• Design, implement, and manage skilled trade development strategies that support current and future manufacturing workforce needs.
• Develop multi-year workforce plans for critical trades roles aligned with plant capacity, production goals, and succession needs.
• Standardize trade-specific competencies, certification pathways, and career progression models across all manufacturing locations.

Training & Apprenticeship Leadership

• Build and oversee apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and cross-training programs in welding, machining, industrial maintenance, electrical systems, fabrication, and related disciplines.
• Ensure alignment with OSHA requirements, industry standards, and applicable apprenticeship regulations.
• Oversee hands-on, instructor-led, and on-the-job training programs tailored to plant operations.

Talent Pipeline & External Partnerships

• Establish partnerships with technical colleges, high schools, trade programs, workforce agencies, and veterans' organizations.
• Represent the company in manufacturing and workforce development forums.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to support skilled trades hiring.

Operational Execution & Program Management

• Lead program implementation across manufacturing sites ensuring consistency and measurable outcomes.
• Track metrics including certification rates, time-to-competency, retention, and internal mobility.
• Work with Plant Managers and HR to identify skill gaps and prioritize training.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop training coordinators, instructors, and apprenticeship specialists.
• Coach plant trainers and mentors.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on skilled trades and labor market trends.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of manufacturing or skilled trade workforce development experience with leadership responsibility.
• Experience designing technical assessment and training programs for manufacturing and production personnel.
• Experience designing and managing DOL-registered apprenticeship programs preferred.
• Certifications in training/instruction – preferred.
• Able to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Microsoft Office Skills.
• Project Management experience.
• Core Competencies:

o Manufacturing and technical acumen

o Workforce planning and pipeline development

o Program design and execution

o Stakeholder and partnership management

o Leadership and team development

o Data-driven decision making

o Strong communication and plant‑floor presence

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations

• Does this role have supervisory or managerial responsibilities? Y
• Does this role have budgetary or program management responsibilities? (must state if manager and above title with no direct reports). Y

Our Culture and Values

Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.

• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success

Travel Requirements: 25% of travel in the US.

NOTE: This position responsible for certain internal control responsibilities. These internal control responsibilities are verbally communicated to the incumbent and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to the performance of these internal control responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.

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