Operations & Learning Specialist

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more.

Job Summary

The Learning Specialist is accountable for the end-to-end learning experience for the Trainee Development Program, specifically the sales focused trainees in Texas. This role leads program onboarding, day-to-day training execution, and trainee development through structured coaching, observation, and feedback. In partnership with LOD and regional leaders, the Learning Specialist designs and improves curriculum and performance supports, monitors trainee progress against defined readiness milestones, and drives continuous improvement through data, trainee feedback, and process refinement to improve time-to-productivity and program outcomes.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

• Leads the Texas specific Trainee Program learning track end-to-end, including program onboarding, training delivery plan, and continuous improvement cadence.
• Designs, updates, and maintains sales-focused curriculum and learning assets (facilitator guides, participant materials, job aids, playbooks, and assessments) using adult learning principles and instructional design best practices.
• Facilitates instructor-led and virtual learning sessions and ensures reinforcement on the job through structured practice, role plays, field observations, and performance support.
• Oversees trainee development through an established coaching cadence (1:1s, observation checklists, feedback, and skill reinforcement) and partners with leaders to create and maintain individualized development plans.
•  Defines and monitors readiness milestones and assessment standards (knowledge checks, skills demonstrations, quality measures, and sales activity/behavior expectations); identifies gaps early and coordinates remediation and re-training plans.
• Partners with LOD and business stakeholders to align program content to business priorities, calibrate expectations, and ensure program consistency; supports program governance and change management for assigned program components.
• Maintains program reporting and learning analytics (attendance, completion, assessment results, readiness progression, and trainee feedback) and communicates insights, risks, and recommendations to leaders.
• Drives process improvement within the trainee learning journey (handoffs, tools, communications, and reinforcement practices) to improve trainee experience, manager adoption, and speed to productivity.

Minimum Qualifications 

• 3+ years of experience with Core & Main, ideally in a sales focused or supporting role.
• Ability to analyze performance data to identify gaps and drive improvements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and collaboration platforms (Teams/SharePoint).
• Ability to identify potential problems and develop effective solutions without immediate direction or supervision.
• Ability to manage deadlines, multi-task and operate in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cohesively with all stakeholders and trainees.
• Must be able to motivate and hold groups of individuals accountable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a learning & development, sales enablement, talent development, or a related training role.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating training and coaching others (live and/or virtual) with measurable performance outcomes.
• Experience supporting a structured sales trainee, management trainee, or leadership development program.
• Experience coaching sales leaders/trainees using observation, call/meeting reviews, and skills assessments.
• Working knowledge of instructional design methodologies (e.g., ADDIE) and adult learning theory.
• Working knowledge of Operating Systems (Mincron or D365)

Environmental Job Requirements

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.
• Typically requires overnight travel less than 30% of the time.

Nature and Scope 

• Identifies key barriers/core problems and applies problem solving skills in order to create creative and interactive training solutions. Troubleshoots and resolves problems. Makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty, sometimes with incomplete information, that produce effective end results. 

• Independently performs assignments with instruction limited to the results expected. Determines and develops an approach to solutions. Receives technical guidance on unusual or complex problems or issues. 

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles. 

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence.  Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.

None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

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