Job Description
Company Description Buona Companies is a family-owned business rooted in Chicago’s original Italian beef, with a portfolio that includes Buona Restaurants, The Original Rainbow Cone, Authentic Brands of Chicago, a USDA facility, and Beyond Events Catering. The organization has grown to nearly 50 locations and continues to expand through a growing franchise network. Buona Companies is recognized as the largest restaurant chain serving authentic Italian beef while preserving the slow-cooking methods that define its signature all-natural gravy. Team members join a company that values tradition, quality, and consistent guest experiences. The business combines legacy brands with modern operations, offering opportunities for growth in a dynamic hospitality environment.
Learning & Development Associate
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $60,000–$75,000 annually, based on experience
About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Learning & Development Associate to support the development, coordination, and execution of training programs across our Buona Restaurants and Rainbow Cone divisions. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building structure, supporting employee growth, and helping teams turn training concepts into practical, easy-to-use tools.
The Learning & Development Associate will partner closely with Operations, Training, and departmental leaders to help create training materials, coordinate learning initiatives, track program completion, and support consistent execution across locations. This position plays an important role in strengthening onboarding, operational training, leadership development, and ongoing employee development.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the development, organization, and maintenance of training materials, job aids, presentations, checklists, and other learning resources, including visual aids and training videos.
- Support onboarding and training programs for new hires, newly promoted employees, and field leadership roles.
- Coordinate training schedules, communications, attendance tracking, and follow-up activities.
- Help manage learning content and completion records through the company’s LMS or other training tracking tools.
- Partner with Operations and Training leaders to identify training needs and improve existing learning programs.
- Support leadership development initiatives, including workshops, field training programs, manager development tools, and follow-up activities.
- Assist with required training initiatives by helping track completion, maintain records, and support timely execution.
- Gather feedback from participants and stakeholders to help improve training content and delivery.
- Maintain organized training records, reports, templates, and program documentation.
- Help reinforce company standards, service expectations, operating procedures, and brand values through clear and consistent learning materials.
- Participate in special projects related to employee development, operational consistency, process improvement, and training effectiveness.
Qualifications
- 1–3 years of experience in training, operations support, restaurant/hospitality operations, or a related field preferred.
- Strong written communication skills with the ability to create clear, practical, and engaging materials.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Comfortable managing multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder requests.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Canva, or similar content creation tools.
- Experience with an LMS, training platform, or training tracking system.
- Video editing experience is a plus.
- Ability to build positive relationships with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multi-location, or field-based environment.
- Restaurant, hospitality, retail, or other high-volume customer service experience is a plus.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Benefits