Senior Toolmaker

West Pharmaceutical Services; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary rate

Benefits package

Opportunities for lifelong learning and development

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in the UK is seeking a skilled Toolmaker to operate various CNC and manual machines for plastic injection moulds. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with safety and quality standards while contributing to process improvements. Must have a formal engineering apprenticeship and extensive experience in tool manufacture. This role offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with CNC/NC grinders, lathes, and mills.
• Experienced in the operation and maintenance of toolroom machinery.
• Proven ability to mentor and support less experienced colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Set and operate CNC/NC grinders and lathes for manufacturing tools.
• Contribute to Lean Sigma programs and improve process efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and quality standards.

Skills

Experience in plastic injection mould and press-tool manufacture

Use of measuring equipment

Experience with NC & conventional Toolroom machinery

Ability to interpret Engineering drawings

Education

Formal engineering apprenticeship to NVQ3 level/City and Guilds

Higher National Certificate in Engineering Discipline

Tools

CNC machinery

EDM & WEDM machinery

Job description

Contract: Permanent

Competitive salary rate + benefits package

Hours: Day shift (36 hour week)

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 set and operate various Toolmaking activities including various CNC, NC and manual machines in the manufacture, assembly, maintenance and repair of plastic injection & elastomer moulds, press-tools and other tooling components. You will demonstrate and use a proactive mindset in order to actively develop processes to increase automation and utilisation of equipment. Responsible for supporting and contributing to Lean Sigma programs and activities, whilst supporting Technical Leaders and Managers to meet quality, delivery and cost objectives. You would also be expected to Mentor and share best practices with less experienced colleagues. You will comply with the company’s safety, environmental and quality policies at all times.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Set & operate CNC/NC grinders including surface, centerless, cylindrical and jig grinders
• Set & operate NC and manual lathes and mills
• Set & operate EDM and WEDM machinery
• Final assembly activities and processes for new plastic and elastomer injection/compression moulds and press-tools
• Problem solving, repair, maintenance and modification of existing tooling
• Provide technical support to design & production contractors and site CADCAM & production staff
• Comply with all corporate and local site Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality policies, procedures and regulations
• Define and comply with appropriate process control plans
• Comply with all machine instructions and ensure proper use of equipment and assets
• Comply with process work instructions, maintenance and safety schedules
• Read, understand & be able to challenge Engineering drawings
• Act in accordance with the Company’s Code of Conduct and Guiding Principles
• Carry out HSE and Workplace Inspections
• Report and resolve any near miss accidents, incidents or HSE irregularities and prevent future occurrences
• Ensure that your work area(s) are always kept clean and tidy
• Ensure your PPE is used and maintained correctly
• Demonstrate and use a proactive mindset in order to actively develop processes to increase automation and utilization of equipment.
• Ensure maximum machine efficiency through effective prioritization and use of machine automation
• Responsible for supporting and contributing to Lean Sigma programs and activities
• Support the business in meeting all quality, delivery and cost objectives
• Actively resolve reported issues, problems or irregularities within your area of control and elevate matters where required via the LDMS escalation process
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Required: Formal engineering apprenticeship to NVQ3 level/City and Guilds or equivalent relevant work experience
• Desirable: Higher National Certificate in Engineering Discipline

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Required:
  • Extensive experience in plastic injection mould and press-tool manufacture
  • Extensive experience in NC & conventional Toolroom machinery
    • Mills, Lathes, Surface Grinders & Cylindrical Grinders
  • Extensive experience of use of measuring equipment
  • Extensive experience of modern cutting tools and techniques
  • Extensive experience of interpreting Engineering drawings
  • Experienced and conversant PC user
• Desirable:
  • Experience in elastomer injection/compression moulds
  • Experience in on-machine programming, setting and operation of CNC Toolroom machinery
    • Mills, Lathes, Surface Grinders, Cylindrical Grinders, EDM & WEDM
  • Experience in setting and operation of CNC Jig Grinders
  • Experienced in offline programming & part verification
  • Experience in operation of CMMs (Co-Ordinate Measuring Machines)
  • Familiarity and experience of tool-design (mould & press-tool)
  • Experience of “Lean Manufacturing” techniques

Travel Requirements

• There are no regular travel requirements for this role

Physical Requirements

• Medium – exerting up to 22kg of force occasionally and/or up to 9kg of force frequently, and/or up to 4kg of force constantly to move objects

West embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We foster an environment where all individuals are safe, treated fairly, valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Where permitted by law, employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of post-offer background screening and/or drug screening.