Division Technical Education Manager

Company Overview

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $3 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career.

Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to "Serve Society with Superior Quality." We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future.

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you're made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Job Category

HR

Position Summary

We are seeking a Division Technical Education Manager to join our team!

The Division Technical Education Manager coordinates, facilitates, and delivers various technical training workshops, programs, and other Bridgestone Retail Operations technical training initiatives for field technician teammates within their assigned geographic Division. The Division Technical Education Manager works with a comprehensive knowledge of Bridgestone Retail Operations technical services, products, vision, and training priorities to conduct live and virtual training, coaching, and facilitation while ensuring they have the necessary skills and abilities to deliver on operational excellence. In addition, this position provides direct support and supervision to a team of Division Technical Education Partners within their assigned Division. This position also maintains concise communication, connection, and alignment with Education department leadership, Store Support Center personnel, Technical Operations Department and assigned Division, Region, and Area leadership teams.

Bridgestone was born from a passion for contributing to society's advancement and improving the lives of people everywhere. It's the foundation of our commitment to services, quality and innovation that provides a springboard for the way forward in technology, sustainability and more.

Responsibilities

In this role, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Coordinates and facilitates technical training workshops in both live and virtual formats to develop technician teammates to be more effective within their roles

o Introduction to Technical Services at Bridgestone Retail Operations, including but not limited to:

• Digital Inspections

• Safety & Environmental Overview

• Tire Services

• Tire Knowledge

• Vehicle Inspection

• Vehicle Service Standards

• Battery Services

• Fluid Services

• Vehicle Lifting

• Accessing/Using Information Services (ALLDATA, MAP, Mitchell, etc.)

• Integrated Store Operating System

o ?Other requested technical training as needed per assigned Area, Region, Division, Store Support Center, or Bridgestone Retail Operations

• Conducts and supports high profile special technical training assignments and large group meetings as required

• Oversees and coordinates all technician training through vendor partners within assigned Division

o Advanced technical training for various levels of technicians (A, B, C level technicians)

o Other technical training as needed

• Coordinates and drives all Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accreditations within assigned Division while maintaining and/or increasing current individual certification status

• Supports Vehicle Service Teammate Council activities, claims and incidents mitigation plans, and Environmental Health & Safety Solutions priorities

• Develops and manages individual and team technical education deployment schedules and rotations to support store/technician needs while working with Store Support Center and Divisional leadership on direction and priorities

• Oversees all technical e-learning activities and completions within Division assignment

• Supports Bridgestone Retail Operations, Division, Region, or Area business and/or education-based performance change initiatives and meetings

o Technical education related business and strategy plans

o Implementation of strategic and executed technical business solutions

o Implementation of strategic and executed technician talent development plans

o Roll-up Reporting

• Communicates and collaborates with parties in and outside of own job function on technical education offerings, requirements, and Division strategic positioning

• Models compliance with company and Human Resource's policies and procedures while supporting the company's mission, values, standards of ethics, and integrity

• Demonstrates up-to-date expertise in technical education practices and applies this to the development, deployment, and execution of technical education action plans individually as well as through their assigned team

• Submits individual and oversees team's schedules, rosters, contact reports, and expense reports according to performance standards

• Manages and establishes all assigned Division technical education deployment rotations to ensure proper coverage and timely offerings

• Oversees, tracks, and maintains operational readiness of assigned Training Centers

• Acts as resource and role model to assigned Division Technical Education Partners

• Assists with interviewing and hiring of Division Technical Education Partners

• Supports training of Education department new hires

• Disseminates communications, processes, and procedural updates to assigned team

• Monitors assigned Division Technical Education Partners performance for quality control

• Conducts annual teammate performance reviews and quarterly individual Division Technical Education Partner observations

• Provides coaching/counseling to Division Technical Education Partners on company and department standards of behavior, attendance, and professionalism

• Addresses performance issues following Bridgestone and Bridgestone Retail Operations policies, procedures; including developing and delivering performance improvement plans for assigned teammates

• Performs employee separations as needed

• Assists with coordination and planning of departmental meetings

• Possess a sense of urgency in completing tasks

• Handles personnel and business matters with confidentiality

• Monitors and approves team expenses and invoices in a timely manner

• Attends department strategic sessions and provides suggestions on process improvement, efficiencies, and real-world execution

• Partners with peer Division Technical Education Managers, Division Education Managers, and Education department leadership to ensure consistent deployment and communication practices

• Partners and aligns with the Store Support Center Technical Operations Department to maintain alignment on industry standards, requirements, and company policies

• Assumes other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Attributes:

• Travel within assigned geographic territory is required and will also include some national travel as directed

• Consistently practices and displays positive leadership to create an environment that encourages open communication, diversity of thought, and respect for the individual

• Consistently practices and champions the principles of an open-door organization by listening to issues, problems, or unpopular points of view from others and states opinions in a manner that encourages dialog and understanding rather than disengagement

• Leads training environments and assigned team evolutions that foster teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge transfer

• Works to achieve day-to-day objectives with moderate impact to supported teammates

• Works independently with limited supervision on larger, moderately complex projects / assignments such as planning and executing specific training programs and deployments

• Provides input to Senior Manager, Technical Education, Senior Manager, Education & Development, and the Director of Education regarding improvements, updates, and successes

• Trains on operational compliance to all company policies and programs

• Identifies process gaps, identifies interim solutions, and sends recommendations to the Senior Manager, Technical Education

• Partners with the Store Support Center to gather accurate feedback from teammates participating in Store Support Center level workshops

• Maintains strong relationships with Store Support Center, Division, Region, Area leadership, and stakeholders

• Responsible for making significant changes or enhancements in programs and processes to solve problems or improve effectiveness of work area in partnership with Store Support Center and Education department leadership

• Problems and issues faced are general to experience required but at times may be complex and will require an understanding of broader set of issues, strategic positioning, operational capacity, and escalation

Problems are typically solved through individual analysis, drawing from prior experiences, but additional SME and leadership collaboration may be required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education or related discipline OR equivalent experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years automotive/technical experience required

o Management or supervisory experience highly preferred

o Automotive Technician experience highly preferred

o Possess 2-5 current Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications highly preferred

o Training experience in a technical environment highly preferred

o Retail experience preferred

• Demonstrated leadership skills

• Demonstrated flexible attitude

• Ability to lead and work as part of a team and provide clear direction to direct reports

• Ability to coach and mentor direct reports

• Excellent organizational skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to hire and separate employees

• Proven administrative skills and demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, including Microsoft Outlook calendar management and training delivery applications

• Ability to travel entire assigned Division and nationally up to 60% of the time

General Physical Requirements:

• Moderate Work- Exerting up to 50-75 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects

• Physical Activities- Reaching, sitting, driving, standing, stooping, lifting, walking, typing, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions

• Visual Acuity- Close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, view computer monitors, and read

o Requires visual acuity to view surroundings and identify potential hazards to safety while performing essential functions of the job. May need to view presentation screens and other visual aids in a classroom or other corporate/retail/shop settings

o Visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle

• General working Conditions- Indoor, outdoor, and shop environmental conditions

Value:

• Of critical importance to the success of company is the on-boarding and continued development of our technician teammates to better serve the Boss. Leading, coordinating, and executing this development is the purpose of the Division Technical Education Manager. This role is vital in ensuring our technician teammates receive training that is on time and on target to deliver on the Bosses expectations which allows our company to hit financial targets and win within the marketplace.

• There is significant risk to the company achieving financial targets and maintaining market share if we do not provide necessary and required technical training and development. Higher incident claims, increased workers comp events, loss of productivity, lower Boss satisfaction, and higher turnover rates occur when we do not effectively provide training.

We are creating a workplace that fosters a culture of acceptance where you are free to be your true self because what we need is who you are. If you find this opportunity compelling, we encourage you to apply.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.