Director of Operations

West Pharmaceutical Services; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lifelong learning opportunities

Health and wellness programs

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Job summary

West Pharmaceutical Services in Grand Rapids is seeking a Director of Operations to lead operational planning and strategy for a customer account. The role involves managing day-to-day operations, ensuring quality and safety, and coordinating with site leadership teams.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least ten years of experience in operations management, particularly in the medical device or pharmaceutical industry. This position involves leading a large team and driving continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of operations management in process-based manufacturing.
• Proven leadership and production management experience.
• Experience in regulatory agency governed industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations and strategy execution.
• Ensure products meet production plans at minimum costs.
• Identify opportunities for improving customer service.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Lean Manufacturing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or technical field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Overview

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 U.S. 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. We are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.

Job Summary

The Director of Operations has primary responsibility for the operational planning and strategy of their customer account and accountability for its successful execution. The position manages, directs and coordinates day‑to‑day operations and is the main point of contact and escalation. The position serves as part of a Customer/West executive governance team proactively addressing the needs of both organizations. As part of the Grand Rapids Senior Management Team, the director plays a key role in strategy development for the business and operations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Interacts with the site leadership teams, and indirectly all site employees, to meet and exceed customer requirements in terms of safety, quality, cost, delivery and service while making products at the lowest cost possible.
• Works with all relevant stakeholders across multiple sites to design, develop, set and ensure implementation of short, medium‑ and long‑term strategy.
• Ensures products meet the requirements of approved production plans at minimum costs within quality limits and consistent with FDA, cGMP, ISO & OSHA requirements.
• Responsible for identifying opportunities to improve customer service, quality, safety performance, scrap minimization or otherwise reduce manufacturing costs by using effective management, cost control techniques and Lean Manufacturing.
• Provides monthly reports and ongoing measurement of results and various work initiatives including but not limited to identifying progress, issues, corrective action status, etc. for any work streams or planned activities.
• Directs the maintenance of systems & reports to permit appropriate individuals to exercise control over costs, product quality production & efficient utilization of capital resources & personnel.
• Develops and maintains solid working relationships with the customers.
• Inputs to asset capitalization strategy, optimization and technology advancements.
• Leads alignment and standardization of best practices and enterprise excellence.
• A leader who drives global asset optimization and associated metrics.
• Member of the Customer/West Executive Governance team.
• Challenges and inputs to the Customer‑West supply chain strategy.
• Ensures optimal communication and alignment across the Customer‑West network and associated functions.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business or technical field in engineering or supply chain management.

Work Experience

• Minimum of ten years of operations management in process‑based manufacturing for the medical device and/or pharmaceutical industry. Proven general leadership and production management experience which includes operational planning and analysis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to directly supervise up to 10 employees who are managers/supervisors/professional staff in the manufacturing/production area and indirectly manage 100+ employees to achieve on‑time, on‑budget results.
• Experience in regulatory agency governed industry, FDA or EMA preferred.
• Prior manufacturing experience in an industrial setting.
• Proven general leadership and production management experience.
• Understanding and experience applying Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Possess excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Effective problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with all levels in the organization.
• Proficient in computer use including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with all levels of employees.

Travel Requirements

5%: Up to 13 business days per year

Physical and Mental Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see and use hands and finger to operate office equipment (i.e., phones, computers, copies, etc.).
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods may occur as well as getting to and from offices and building sites.
• The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and/or equipment.
• The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet. The noise level in the manufacturing work environment is moderate to loud. Hearing protection is required at all times in the manufacturing work environment.

Shift

M‑F Days

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 [e-mail]. 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.