KSB SupremeServ Academy, North America Director

KSB is a leading supplier of pumps, valves and related service. Our reliable, high-efficiency products are used in applications wherever fluids need to be transported or shut off, covering everything from building services,industry and water transport to waste water treatment, power plant processes and mining. Founded in 1871 in Frankenthal, Germany, the company has a presence on all continents with its own sales and marketing organisations and manufacturing facilities. Around the globe, more than 190 service centres and around 3,500 service specialists are on hand to provide local inspection, servicing, maintenance and repair services under the KSB SupremeServ brand. Innovative technology that is the fruit of KSB’s research and development activities forms the basis for the company’s success.

People. Passion. Performance. It is these three success factors that make KSB the company it is today.

At KSB, we recognise that it is people who actually make the difference – the people we employ and the people we serve. This is why we are committed to equal rights and treatment worldwide and never lose sight of the aspects ecology and sustainability when manufacturing our products.

Position Title: KSB SupremeServ Academy, North America Director

Reports To: Vice President, Engineering Services

Location: KSB Houston – Houston, TX

Position Summary

The KSB SupremeServ Academy is a critical component of KSB’s global value proposition and a strategic enabler of our growth across markets. As the Director of the KSB SupremeServ Academy for North America, you will lead the design, development, and execution of world-class learning and development programs for both internal and external stakeholders. This role ensures that KSB employees, sales partners, and customers benefit from industry-leading technical training and knowledge transfer aligned with business goals.

The Director will serve as the regional owner of the KSB SupremeServ Academy North America's programs, working closely with the KSB SupremeServ Academy leadership in Frankenthal, Germany, and collaborating across market segments, subject matter experts, and business units to deliver measurable value through learning and development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Program Leadership

• Define and lead the regional training strategy in alignment with the KSB SupremeServ Academy initiatives, as well as the business needs
• Design and execute training programs that support employee development, sales enablement, and customer engagement
• Develop and maintain a dynamic annual training calendar covering internal and external needs

Training Development & Delivery

• Identify training requirements using performance reviews, skills gap analyses, and strategic input
• Develop and implement diverse training formats (instructor-led, e-learning, on-the-job, simulations)
• Engage internal and external subject matter experts as instructors and content developers
• Organize training delivery at KSB sites, customer facilities, or remote as appropriate

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Collect and analyze feedback to evaluate training effectiveness and ROI
• Drive continuous improvement based on feedback, business outcomes, and global best practices
• Monitor KPIs and report program outcomes to regional and global leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Engineering, HR, and Marketing to ensure cohesive program delivery
• Build strong relationships with clients and partners to enhance external training impact
• Promote participation and communicate the value of the Academy across all stakeholder groups

Operational Management

• Manage training budgets, resources, vendor relationships, and logistics
• Ensure consistent branding and communications in partnership with the Marketing team
• Collaborate with the KSB SupremeServ Academy team in Frankenthal on curriculum, tools, and global alignment

Required Skills & Competencies

• Leadership & Influence – Ability to lead through influence in a matrix environment and coach cross-functional teams
• Strategic Thinking – Align training initiatives with business objectives to drive measurable performance
• Project & Time Management – Prioritize effectively and manage multiple concurrent training initiatives
• Analytical Thinking – Use data and insights to refine programs and report on effectiveness
• Communication – Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to present to all levels of the organization
• Collaboration – Ability to foster trust and cooperation among diverse stakeholders
• Learning Agility – Demonstrated commitment to continuous personal and organizational learning
• Problem-Solving – Proactive, creative approach to overcoming training challenges and constraints
• Travel – Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, engineering, learning & development, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in sales customer service, engineering or project management within industrial equipment, rotating machinery, or manufacturing environments
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience reflecting active participation on technical training, learning and development or knowledge management within industrial equipment, rotating machinery, or manufacturing environments
• Experience with centrifugal pumps or rotating equipment is preferred
• Knowledge of modern instructional design and training methodologies (workshops, e-learning, simulations, coaching)
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 required
• Technologically adept with the ability to operate multimedia equipment, manage video conferencing platforms, and deliver training via webinars and virtual tools

EOE/M/F/D/V Drug-Free Environment

KSB Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. KSB makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. 

We value employees who take the initiative and are committed to our company; Employees who take responsibility and for whom business success is the focus of their actions. In return, we offer fair framework conditions for collective wages and pensions, flexible working time models, individual training opportunities and the best career prospects.