Title:  Automation Engineering Manager

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:

In this role, you will lead the automation engineering team for West’s proprietary medical device platform. An effective balance of strategic vision and tactical resilience must be met to champion the development and implementation of new manufacturing processes, capacity expansions, and equipment/process optimization initiatives within multiple manufacturing sites.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, disruptive, and performance-driven environment with a hands-on leadership style.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor engineering team on capital equipment projects, including defining technical specifications, seeking competitive proposals, and managing all activities and requirements to full-scale production.
• As a working leader within a fast-growing business segment, champion high-visibility, critical initiatives and projects.
• Provide guidance, and as needed, perform validation of new equipment or equipment modifications, including acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), process development (characterization studies, DOEs, Gage R&Rs, etc.) and installation, operational, performance qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Present project status, challenges, and risks to cross-functional and executive team members. Must have good communications skills to engage all levels of the business and the ability to simplify complex technical language that provides credibility and understanding to the associated activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement robust and sustainable manufacturing processes and systems.
• Actively support proprietary program initiatives with direct customer interactions.
• Research new technologies and methodologies to continuously seek world-class manufacturing.
• Ensure new and existing production lines are meeting their targeted output and OEE.
• Supports various manufacturing sites with root cause and corrective action (RCCA) of equipment, continuous improvement initiatives, and product-related opportunities.
• Technical and hands-on automated equipment troubleshooting, repair, and improvements.
• Analyze data for problem solving, validation, and identification of improvement opportunities.
• Drive and lead the use of lean and six sigma tools and techniques in everyday problem solving and process improvement activities.
• Implement engagement plans and initiatives to motivate teams to achieve established goals.
• Institute and ensure implementation of training programs to ensure personnel are proficient in performance of assigned duties.
• Routinely evaluate and review employee performance.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Automation includes – PLC-driven assembly machines, robots, end-of-arm tooling, pneumatic and servo systems, vision systems, label applicators, test equipment, etc.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering or technical discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in high-volume manufacturing.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in people management.
• Six Sigma Green Belt.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting equipment.
• Experience performing acceptance testing and validation for new automated equipment.
• Knowledge of best practices in manufacturing processes, workflows, production equipment and industrial techniques.
• Experience in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Experience with data analytics and statistical process control.
• Strong problem solving and project management skills.
• Able to always comply with the company’s quality policy.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Master’s degree in engineering.
• Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Proficiency in CAD design (ideally with AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks).
• Experience in medical device industry or other regulated industry.
• Experience in developing data analytics, reports, and dashboards.
• Experience developing and performing DOEs and Gage R&Rs using Minitab.
• Project Management Professional (PMP).

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 25% travel.

Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Must be able to perform job duties as required with limited physical demands within clean room manufacturing requirement.
• Competencies/Authorities
• Non-US only where required for certain levels.

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.