Title:  Sr. Automation 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.  

Position Summary:

In this role, you will be key to implementing new technology, developing and introducing process improvements, standards, life cycle management and validation in select process areas, helping to advance and transform West's growing business, supporting capital investments and contributing to addressing complex assignments. This role offers the opportunity to drive the implementation of new innovative processes, automation and new technologies in cooperation with the engineering and quality assurance teams and the plants. The person is a member of the West Global Process Engineering Team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for a well-defined process area and process related projects.
• Initiate, lead and coordinate improvements of existing processes globally on quality, service, HSE and cost within the standard known/approved process frame and using best practice knowledge.
• Provide expertise in your specific technology relevant for West products within Global Engineering and to other West functions. Acquire further knowledge in your specific area of expertise.
• Prepare and obtain approval for project time schedules and ensure conformance to such plans and to the related budgets in implementation.
• Define best practice validation concepts.
• Strongly support the implementation / roll-out of automation and new innovative processes and technologies in cooperation with the automation, engineering- and quality assurance teams and the plants.
• Assess current process status in all relevant West locations globally, define best practices, perform a gap analysis and manage the harmonization of this best practice to all sites involved.
• As part of the Global SME network, demonstrate advanced knowledge of specific processes to support the Global OPS organization in solving any product or process related issue requiring involvement.
• Initiate and lead appropriate communication with facilities and departments in order to support good relations and maximize achievements through a cooperative environment.
• Engage in solutioning product or process related issues as needed.
• Manage process or technology or product transfer projects between plants from a process stand-point as assigned.
• Evaluate and approve all change requests globally, related to the area of expertise.
• Coordinate interface between R&D/QA/Sales and shop-floor production for new products. Manage the
• development of robust process for final industrial production in the targeted plants
• Actively participate to the implementation and maintenance of a system to gather operational knowledge (Knowledge Management).
• Utilize six sigma tools in minimizing process variation and improving the quality of product produced.
• Ensure that all projects and activities are in compliance with local, regional and best practice requirements on HSE and meet other applicable authority requirements. All internal change control procedures incl. e.g. adequate risk assessment/ FMEA are to be followed strictly.
• Prepare reports as may be required on a routine basis or on demand within established deadlines.
• Participate in customer meetings to resolve customer complaints and serve as West's production processes subject matter expert.
• May support the introduction, start-up and validation of new equipment in the local sites in order to guarantee a short start-up time.
• May utilize data-based decision making. Create test plans, evaluate test results and definite new process parameters based on the analysis of test results.
• Participate in other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another scientific area or equivalent experience required       

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (Sr Assoc) experience in a similar position within the manufacturing industry required
• Experience in Project management preferred      

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of LEAN and 6 sigma manufacturing principles
• Knowledge of statistical tools and Minitab
• cGMP knowledge
• 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 and quality policies at all times

Licenses and Certifications:

• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification within 1 Year required

Travel Requirements:

• Estimated Amount
• 20%: Up to 52 business days per year

Physical Requirements:

• 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.

Additional Requirements:

• Self-motivated, results- and solution-oriented personality
• Very good organizational and project management skills
• Highly analytical and structured way of working
• Ability to successfully collaborate with teams across different countries and organizational levels
• Fluent in English
• Proficient in Microsoft based programs
• Ability to assert technical solutions and standards in an international environment
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate well with people across different countries
• Manage working with colleagues in different time-zones
• Able to routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Position operates in a professional office environment. May stand or sit for extended periods of time
• Must be able to communicate effectively with written and oral skills, make quick decisions, interpret data, read & write, speak in front of groups, express & exchange ideas, understand direction and adhere to procedures
• Organizational skills will enable planning, prioritization & achievement of goals especially of importance for the successful execution of related activities
• Read and interpret data, information and documents
• Must maintain the ability to work well with others in a variety of situations
• Must be able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize
• Ability to make independent and sound judgments
• Observe and interpret situations, analyze and solve problems

#LI-TH1

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.