Title:  Senior Process Engineer

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?  

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.  

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.  

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Engineering Manager and/or Process Engineering manager this person will work with the engineering team to develop and optimise manufacturing processes within the company. This role may be Business Unit specific or business wide specific. Key to this role will be to lead a team of engineers/technicians in the Operations department in the specification, introduction, validation and continuous improvement of equipment and processes.  This person will be responsible for outlining and developing the business case for investments into the area and then the management and implementation of projects to completion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a technical team to specify, introduce, validate, and continuously improve equipment and processes.
• Introduction of new production processes into the company.
• Management and optimization of existing processes.
• Development of User Requirements Specifications for purchased equipment and liaising with vendors on same.
• Coach and mentor team members to ensure that best engineering practices are employed at all times.
• Ensure current best practices are maintained and keep abreast of new relevant technologies.
• Support the Development Engineering team in the development, optimization and implementation of new processes and technologies.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to production technicians and operators.
• Drive improvements for current processes with focus on zero defects philosophy.
• Work with other team members in troubleshooting processing problems.
• Establish relationships with the customers and equipment suppliers in pursuit of continuous improvement and on-going business development.
• Attend, schedule, and facilitate internal meetings to help establish priorities and assign tasks.
• Solve, in conjunction with the Quality department, customer related problems/issues as needed.
• Instruct others, formally or informally, regarding manufacturing related skills or knowledge and assist in the training of employees on new processes or systems introduced to the company.
• Coordinate the development of documentation in the Production and Technical areas in line with ISO9001 and ISO 13485 requirements and review the systems with the Group Leaders and the Quality department on a regular basis to ensure conformance to same.
• Communicate on a regular basis (or as appropriate) with external suppliers of materials and equipment and provide regular feedback on any issues to the management team.

• Act in accordance with the company’s Guiding Principles and adherence to the corporate Code of Conduct.
• Compliance to all site Environmental, Health and Safety requirements, training, and regulations.
• Compliance to all local site company policies, procedures, and corporate policies.
• Perform additional duties at the request of the direct supervisor.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Preferably a Degree in Polymer Processing Engineering with minimum 8 years’ experience in injection Moulding and/or high-volume automated assembly processes.
• Preferably worked in either the Medical, Packaging or Technological industries with experience of process validations.
• Must be capable of leading a technical team of engineers and technicians.
• Must be capable of coaching and mentoring others.
• Must be capable of performance management of those on the team (agreeing SMART objectives, conducting regular reviews, and providing feedback as required).
• Must have good data analysis capabilities and be familiar with statistical software (ideally Minitab).
• Must have dealt with customers and suppliers in a previous employment.
• Must have knowledge of computer systems; integrated manufacturing systems; word processing and spread sheets.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to accurately document work performed.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of 6sigma methodology and structured systematic route cause problem solving.
• Must be able to travel as required by the position.
• Must be able to lead cross functional teams.
• Must be able to organize and prioritize tasks; must be detail orientated and self-motivated.
• Must be able to deal with all levels of employees and work across various departments.
• Must be able to work independently on own projects while working concurrently with all departments.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to be aware of all relevant standard operating procedures as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Support and contribute to Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.
• Able to comply with the company’s safety policy at all times.
• Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times, ISO9001 and ISO 13485 requirements.
• Able to be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Support and contribute in Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target
• Able to comply with the company’s safety policy at all times
  • List any safety requirements applicable to role within your country
• Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times.
  • List any quality requirements applicable to role within your country

Travel Requirements:

• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.

Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Physical:  Light – exerting up to 20lbs/9kg of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force frequently constantly to move objects.  If the use of arm and/or leg control requires exertion of force greater than that of sedentary work and if the worker sits most of the time, the job is considered light work.

• Mental Requirements: Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to deal with all levels of employees and work across various departments.

Competencies/Authorities

• Non-US only where required for certain levels

Delegation of Duties:

When absent from the site duties and responsibilities will be delegated to the following designates:

• Another Senior Process Engineer.
• Engineering or Process Manager.
• Sr Engineering Manager.

West is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.  If you have a special need that requires accommodation in order to apply to West, please send an email to Apply.Accommodation@westpharma.com.  Where permitted by law, an offer of employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background screening and/or a pre-employment drug screening.