Manager Learning and Professional Development

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture- Where Innovation Meets Comfort

Who We Are:

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world's largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we're more than a business - we're a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

If you're ready to grow, you've come to the right place. With a true "Growth Mindset," Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

If you are a current Ashley employee: Please login to your UKG account and apply using the internal job board.

Summary:

The Manager, Learning & Professional Development is responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously improving enterprise-wide learning and leadership development solutions for associates and leaders across Ashley Furniture Industries. This role serves as both a facilitator and a strategic development advisor, partnering closely with business leaders and Human Resources to identify capability gaps, define learning priorities, and implement targeted development solutions. The position plays a key role in facilitating programs, evaluating effectiveness, and providing insights into talent development, engagement, and future pipeline opportunities, ensuring learning initiatives directly support business objectives and organizational growth.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with senior leaders to assess development needs and recommend learning solutions aligned to business priorities

• Act as a Development Advisor by:

• Providing feedback on participant progress

• Identifying high-potential talent

• Sharing insights on organizational development trends

• Conduct needs analysis and support design and delivery of learning programs and materials

• Facilitate leadership and professional development programs (in-person and virtual)

• Plan and deliver training using multiple formats (classroom, virtual, 1:1)

• Manage program logistics:

• Scheduling, enrollment, materials, facilities, vendors

• Attendance tracking and learning metrics

• Evaluate program effectiveness through assessments, feedback, and business impact

• Maintain and update curriculum in partnership with leadership and program teams

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business

• Provide data-driven insights on:

• Leadership capability trends

• Program participation

• Organizational development needs

• Maintain expertise in facilitation techniques, learning technology, and industry practices

• Support pilot programs and continuous improvement initiatives

• Participate in team meetings, training, and special projects

• Model Ashley's Core and Growth Values in all interactions

Qualifications required:

Education

• Bachelor's degree or 5+ years of equivalent experience

Experience

• 3+ years in leadership roles
• Experience facilitating leadership or professional development programs (in‑person and virtual)
• Willingness to travel domestically (limited international travel possible)
• Flexible schedule with occasional extended hours

Additional Qualifications, preferred:

• Experience in talent or organizational development
• Experience conducting needs analysis and consulting with leaders
• Experience designing learning solutions

Certifications

• Certified Training Facilitator, Coach, or similar certification
• Certifications in behavioral assessments (e.g., DiSC, 360, Emotional Intelligence)
• Additional certifications such as APTD or similar
• Strong facilitation skills (in-person and virtual)
• Solid business and leadership acumen
• Understanding of leadership competencies across levels
• Ability to align development programs to business needs
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and modern learning practices
• Experience influencing and consulting with leaders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience with learning management systems and learning technologies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality
• Proficiency with AI tools, Microsoft Office, and modern learning platforms

Work Environment:

This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced environment involves time-sensitive and safety sensitive operations and may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Benefits We Offer:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values:

• Honesty & Integrity: Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.
• (Dirty Fingernail: Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.
• Growth & Results Focus: Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.
• Culture of Leadership: Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.
• Customer-Centric & Boundaryless: Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.
• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

Interested in learning more about Ashley Furniture's Community Engagement programs, Environmental Stewardship, or our Core Values, click the links below:

Corporate Social Responsibility

View Our Corporate Brochure

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms: We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

• Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.