Description
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
The Process Improvement Specialist is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and/or performing modifications, validations, and enhancement of processes to ensure maximum yields, quality, cost effectiveness to ensure all areas of production are an optimal process. The job holder will be accountable for implementing sustainable processes and will be responsible for measuring and reporting results to ensure qualified processes reach and sustain and improve production levels. 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 will also be a local SME for assigned processes.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Takes responsibility for a well-defined process area and process related projects.
- Utilize six sigma tools in minimizing process variation and improving the quality of product produced.
- Plan, schedule and perform project or sub-project details; follow-up on new and revised improvements to assure proper implementation. Operate within approved time schedules and project budgets.
- Consult and cooperate with Corporate/customer/supplier personnel as authorized and required. Maintain effective communication and working relationships.
- Manage process or technology or product transfer projects between plants from a process stand-point as assigned.
- 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.
- Instruct and train West Pharmaceutical Services personnel in the use of any special equipment that may be required after project completion.
- 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.
- Prepare reports as may be required on a routine basis or on demand within established deadlines.
- Engage in solutioning product or process related issues as needed.
- Initiate and lead appropriate communication with facilities and departments in order to support good relations and maximize achievements through a cooperative environment.
- May support the introduction, start-up and validation of new equipment in the local sites to guarantee a short start-up time.
- Actively participate to the implementation and maintenance of a system to gather operational knowledge (Knowledge Management).
- Participate in customer meetings to resolve customer complaints and serve as West's production processes subject matter expert.
- Apply analytical judgment to a wide variety of duties in the engineering field you practice.
- Evaluate and approve all change requests globally, related to the area of expertise.
- Adhere to Company policies and always follow training procedures.
- Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures, instruction, and all safety rules.
- Exhibits regular, reliable, punctual, and predictable attendance.
- Performs other duties, as assigned based on business needs.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or another scientific area strongly preferred.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Minimum 5 years in related field
- Experience in project management
- Ability analyze and make sound decisions
Physical & Mental Requirements
- At a minimum, the following vision tests need to be passed: 20/20 vision at approximately 45 cm (18 inches) from eye, with or without correction lens and Color blindness
- Be able to tolerate temperatures (250-350 degrees F) for short durations
- Able to tolerate frequent steam emissions resulting from job-related equipment and functions
- Frequent above shoulder height work to move bags and material. Frequent bilateral grip/grasp and manual dexterity work required
- Push or pull wheeled objects weighing up to 500+ lbs. short time/distances and lift 75 lbs.
- Frequent bending, twisting and continuous standing as required by the job
- Must also be able to tolerate industrial odors and smells on a frequent basis
- Must be able to read and write and good communication skills.
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.
