Sr Associate, Process Improvement Engineer

At West, we’re a dedicated team connected by a purpose to improve patient lives—a mission that has been at the center of our company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the challenge of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War II. Today, we deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily. We believe our impact on the healthcare industry is just beginning. Join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth, and development.

About the role

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. You will help advance and transform West's growing business, support capital investments, and contribute to addressing complex assignments. This position offers the opportunity to drive the implementation of new innovative processes, automation, and new technologies in cooperation with engineering, quality assurance teams, and plant operations. You will be a member of the local Process Improvement Engineering Team.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for a well-defined process area and related projects.
• Initiate, lead, and coordinate improvements of existing processes on quality, service, health, safety, environment (HSE), and cost within the standard known/approved process frame using best practice knowledge.
• Provide expertise in your specific technology relevant for West products within Process Engineering and to other West functions; acquire further knowledge in your area of expertise.
• Prepare and obtain approval for project time schedules and ensure conformance to such plans and related budgets during implementation.
• Execute best practice validation concepts.
• Strongly support the implementation and roll-out of automation and new innovative processes and technologies in joint cooperation with automation, engineering, and quality assurance teams.
• Assess current process status locally, perform a gap analysis to global standards, and manage the harmonization of best practices at the site.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of specific processes to support the Operations organization in solving product or process-related issues.
• Initiate and lead appropriate communication with facilities and departments to support good relations and maximize achievements through a cooperative environment.
• Engage in solutioning product or process-related issues as needed.
• Manage process, technology, or product transfer projects between plants from a process standpoint as assigned.
• Evaluate and approve all change requests locally related to your area of expertise.
• Interface between Research and Development, Quality Assurance, Sales, and shop-floor production for new products; manage the development of robust processes for final industrial production at the site.
• Actively participate in the implementation and maintenance of a system to gather operational knowledge (Knowledge Management).
• Utilize Six Sigma tools to minimize process variation and improve product quality.
• Ensure all projects and activities comply with local, regional, and best practice requirements on HSE and meet other applicable authority requirements; strictly follow all internal change control procedures, including adequate risk assessment/FMEA.
• Prepare reports as 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.
• Support the introduction, start-up, and validation of new equipment at the local site to guarantee a short start-up time.
• Utilize data-based decision-making; create test plans, evaluate test results, and define new process parameters based on analysis.
• Participate in other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or another scientific area.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar position within the manufacturing industry.
• Experience in project management preferred.
• Experience in polymer chemistry or rubber technology preferred.
• Experience in Compression or Injection Molding preferred.
• Good knowledge of LEAN and Six Sigma manufacturing principles.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and tools such as Minitab.
• GMP knowledge.
• Ability to comply with the company's safety and quality policies at all times.
• Manufacturing/Six Sigma Green Belt Certification required within 1 year of employment.
• Travel requirements: up to 20% (approximately 52 business days per year).

Skills

• 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.
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral), including the ability to make quick decisions, interpret data, read and write, speak in front of groups, express and exchange ideas, understand direction, and adhere to procedures.
• Organizational skills enabling planning, prioritization, and achievement of goals, especially for successful execution of related activities.
• Ability to read and interpret data, information, and documents.
• Ability to work well with others in a variety of situations.
• Ability to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem-solve, and prioritize.
• Ability to make independent and sound judgments.
• Ability to observe and interpret situations, analyze and solve problems.

Benefits

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.

Physical Requirements

• Light-exerting: up to 20 lbs/9 kg of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force frequently/constantly to move objects.
• Position operates in a professional office environment.