Title:  Production Manager, Compounding

Working at West means having an opportunity to work by the side of our patients and customers, our global team members and the communities in which we operate – which all help contribute to a Healthier World.

At West, we are by the side of patients. The work we do impacts patients’ lives each and every day – our products are a critical part of healthcare delivery and we are proud of the role we play to improve patient health. We work by the side of our team members. We come together as one global team to deliver for our customers and help them address their challenges. We are a diverse, close-knit community of professionals, where everyone has a voice and opportunity to learn and grow through mutual trust and respect. With a 95 year plus history, we have a track record for success, which includes reported sales of $2.14B in 2020. We serve by the side of our community. Giving back is in our DNA—our team members across more than 50 sites globally are involved with hundreds of charities that have special meaning to them through our West Without Borders team member-led giving program.

Job Summary:

The incumbent manages the manufacturing of sheet stock in the Compounding Department to supply to the Molding Department.  Responsible for meeting production schedules and coordination of related operations. Responsible to lead and drive Operational Excellence (OPEX), strategize OPEX roadmap to achieve target Maturity Level, execute trainings and certifications of Green/Yellow/White belts where required and drive LEAN mindset amongst supervisors and team members.  Works with the Snr Manager, Production, and other functions to support the overall vision and initiates improvements to ensure the processes meet present and future requirements for quality, growth, flexibility, and cost improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. The employee is informed of all relevant SOIs / SOPs that are an integral part of the Quality Policy, and which are related to the job covered by this job description.
2. Implement and enforce safety controls, drive safety mindset in the Compounding Department.
3. Manages the Compounding Department to fulfill the production plan in the most efficient way and with the highest quality.
4. Collaborate with Maintenance and relevant functions on equipment replacement/upgrading, capacity expansion and automation projects
5. Monitors the work of the Compounding Department as part of the implementation of planned production in terms of quantity, quality, and compliance with standards.
6. Responsible for proper housekeeping and 5S mindset
7. Recruit, train and upskill team members to transform the area supervisors and team members to Advanced Manufacturing quality mindset
8. Lead the plant in executing West Business System (WBS), establish OPEX roadmap and drive Operational Excellence to achieve target Maturity level  
9. Utilize business systems and software tools to analyze reports on production capacity and requirements related to forecasted units by product and identify needs for improving productivity and overall manufacturing costs via Lean manufacturing and robust problem-solving teams
10. Prepare annual budget and resource plan for the Compounding Department
11. Participates in the development of CAPEX and OPEX affecting the Compounding Department. Participates in the planning of new PERs and develops PERs within the assigned area.
12. Participates in the resolution of customer complaints, collaborates with QA and other relevant functions.
13. Ability to solicit support from other functions (Maintenance, Supply Chain, Toolshop, Quality, etc) to resolve issues promptly
14. Serve in HSE committee, Opex committee, Engagement committees and various project and or marketing core teams when required or as needed
15. Work with area supervisors in planning and scheduling labor and equipment resources to meet production demands of 24hr/7-day Operation
16. Identify opportunities to improve service, minimize scrap, reduce manufacturing costs, including effective management and improvement of inventory
17. Ensure all blocked and aged materials are processed and dispositioned promptly
18. Troubleshoot production processes to correct product issues and improve process control
19. Coordinate modification to production processes with Engineering, Quality, and other functional areas
20. Enforce all company policies and procedures are followed
21. Provide monthly reports and ongoing measurement identifying progress, issues and corrective action status and planned projects
22. Other duties as assigned relative to the position and/or company

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor/Master’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Chemical Engineering or similar
• Minimum  8  years of experience in a manufacturing environment. 
• Experience in elastomer manufacturing or elastomer related manufacturing is preferred
• Experience working with ISO9000, and cGMP is preferred
• Certification in LEAN/6 Sigma preferred

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to face difficult issues, make courageous decisions and take bold actions despite facing opposing thinking or fear
• Ability to set high performance standards for oneself and others, the ability to take responsibility and responsibility for successfully performing tasks or jobs.
• Ability to work as a team in activities to achieve business goals.
• Ability to clearly convey information and ideas through different media to individuals or groups in a way that engages the audience and helps them understand and remember the message.
• Ability to provide feedback, guidance, and development guidelines to help others excel in performing their existing or future tasks at work.
• Ability to introduce systems and processes to attract, develop, engage, and retain talented individuals, creating a work environment in which individuals can reach their full potential.
• Working knowledge of business and shop floor systems to effectively manage operations
• Strong interpersonal skills.  Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with all levels in the organization.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and specifications, safety rules, operating instructions, procedure manuals and regulatory documentation.
• Ability to understand mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and solve problems.
• General knowledge of ISO 45001/local HSE legislation, manufacturing, and process automation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with all levels of employees. Must exhibit a positive and professional upbeat tone and manner.
• High Proficiency working with computers and various applications- i.e., SAP and MS Office applications and Microsoft Excel.
• Able to be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Able to always comply with the company’s safety policy and all local environmental, health & safety regulations.

Physical, Mental and Travel Requirements:

• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment.
• Specific vision abilities may be needed by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must follow and comply with Plant’s Dress and Hygiene Code (SOI).
• Must be able to tolerate heat and industrial odors/smells on a frequent basis.
• Must be able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize.
• Must also be able to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to make independent and sound judgments.
• Travel <10%.

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.