Associate, Process Engineering

West:By Your Sidefor Opportunity West Pharma; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

West is seeking a Global Associate Engineer GSME in Compounding to drive new technologies and implement process improvements across our global sites. You will work with engineering, QA and production teams to validate processes and introduce innovative methods.

The role emphasizes project leadership, knowledge transfer, and standardized practices across plants to ensure high quality and compliant manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree in engineering or science preferred.
• 2+ years’ experience in a manufacturing role.
• Experience with troubleshooting and investigations in a regulated industry preferred.
• Knowledge of LEAN and 6 Sigma principles; yellow belt required, green belt preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead process improvement projects in Compounding area across West locations.
• Apply Six Sigma tools to minimize variation and improve product quality.
• Support introduction, start‑up and validation of new equipment in plants.
• Coordinate interface between engineering, QA and shop floor for new products.

Skills

Project Management

LEAN & Six Sigma

Statistical Tools

Communication Skills

Cross-country Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

SAP

Minitab

Job 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 Global Associate Engineer GSME Compounding is a member of the West Global Engineering Team. This role is 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. With a global mandate and scope, this person will have the opportunity to drive the implementation of new innovative processes and technologies in cooperation with the engineering and quality assurance teams and the plants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for a well-defined process area and process related projects — here the process area in focus is Compounding.
• Initiate, lead and coordinate continuous process improvement on quality, service, HSE and cost within the standard known/approved process frame and using best practice knowledge.
• Provide expertise in Compounding technologies relevant for West products within Global Engineering and to other West functions. Acquire further knowledge in Compounding technologies.
• Support the introduction, start-up and validation of new equipment in the plants.
• Lead workstreams to implement / roll-out new innovative processes and technologies in cooperation with the Engineering- and QA team and the plants.
• Manage the development of robust processes for final industrial production in targeted plants.
• Assess the current Compounding process status in all relevant West locations globally, define best practices, perform a gap analysis and manage the harmonization of this best practice to all plants involved.
• Prepare and obtain approval for project time schedules and ensure conformance to such plans and to the related budgets in implementation.
• Initiate and maintain appropriate communication with facilities and departments in order to support good relations and maximise achievements through a cooperative environment.
• Manage product, process or technology transfer projects between plants from a process stand-point as assigned.
• Engage in solutioning product or process related issues as needed.
• Utilize six sigma tools in minimizing process variations and improving the quality of West’s products.
• Ensure that all projects and activities are in compliance with local, regional and best practice requirements on HSE and meet other applicable authority requirements.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of a system to gather operational knowledge (Knowledge Management).
• Coordinate interface between the West Digital & Transformation Team (“D&T”) and the shop-floor production for new products.
• Participate in budgeting and business planning activities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Act in accordance with the company’s Guiding Principles and adherence to the corporate Code of Conduct.
• Compliance to all site Environmental, Health and Safety requirements, training, and regulations.
• Compliance to all local site company policies, procedures, and corporate policies.
• Perform additional duties at the request of the direct manager.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in engineering or another scientific area is prefered.

Work Experience

• 2+ years’ experience in a similar position within the manufacturing industry
• Previous experience with troubleshooting and support in investigations required
• Experience working in pharmaceutical or other heavily regulated industry preferred
• Previous SAP experience preferredExperience with formal root cause/corrective action analysis tools and techniques preferred
• Good knowledge of LEAN and 6 sigma manufacturing principles: minimum 6 Sigma yellow belt; green belt preferred

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sound know-how and experience in Project Management
• Knowledge of statistical tools and Minitab
• cGMP knowledge
• 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
• Ability to assert technical solutions and standards in an international environment
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate well with people across different countries

Travel Requirements

10%: Up to 26 business days per year

Physical Requirements

Sedentary-Exerting up to 10lbs/4kgs of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

Additional Requirements

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to accurately document work performed.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment as well as take a hands‑on approach to problem solving.
• Must be able to organize and prioritize tasks; must be detail orientated and self‑motivated.
• Must be able to work independently on own projects while working concurrently with all departments and levels of employees.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications (Including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point).

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.