Extruding Compounding Operator

About the role

At West, we’re a dedicated team connected by a purpose to improve patient lives—a purpose 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 U.S. Government during World War II. Through our work delivering 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. We offer an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth, and development, supported by benefit programs that empower the physical, mental, emotional, and financial health of our team members and their families.

Job Summary

The duty of the Extruding/Compounding Operator is to accurately and consistently prepare and convert weighted raw materials into mixed compounded materials from which our various products are produced, meeting customer specifications. The role requires quick thinking, confidence to ensure consistent processing, and foresight to anticipate the next task. As a junior associate, the majority of duties should be performed with minimal input and training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Retrieve approved ingredients in preparation to make various product formulations; document and record the ingredients for each compound.
• Operate mixing equipment, extruder, cutter, calendar, and other auxiliary equipment to form, shape, and cut mixed materials for further processing.
• Monitor dimensions using measuring equipment, micrometers, and computer‑generated dimensions.
• Prepare, identify, and deliver approved ingredients to each area/stage of the production process.
• Assemble all required materials according to specific product formulations using a forklift or other material‑handling devices.
• Operate all required equipment to mix, form, shape, and/or cut prepared materials for further product processing.
• Weigh up and document formulas that do not meet specifications and complete necessary QC, SPC, and production forms.
• Load recipes and set up extruders (inner rings, outer rings, ring components) while maintaining correct weight, length, and width of stock.
• Operate forklift and other material‑handling devices to transport totes of compounded materials to the extrusion area.
• Keep the compounding area and all equipment clean and orderly.
• Inform the Compounding Supervisor of off‑standard work and any unusual or unsafe conditions encountered.

Shift Schedule

Friday – Sunday, 12‑hour overnight shift, 6:50 PM – 7:00 AM.

Training Schedule

New hires will train on the day shift, 6:50 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday – Sunday, for approximately 4–6 months before transitioning to the overnight schedule.

Education

• Ability to pass pre‑employment testing.

Work Experience

• No minimum required.
• 3 to 6 months production experience preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Willingness and ability to work as a team member and make general decisions within authorized job responsibilities.
• Ability to follow written training procedures.

Travel Requirements

None – no travel required.

Physical Requirements

Medium‑exerting work: up to 50 lb (22 kg) of force occasionally, up to 20 lb (9 kg) frequently, and up to 10 lb (4 kg) constantly to move objects.