Sr Manager, Process Improvement Engineer

West Pharmaceutical Services; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Community Involvement

Continuous Learning & Development

Generous Paid Time Off

Global Career Opportunities

Inclusive & Collaborative Culture

Recognition & Rewards

Job summary

West Pharmaceutical Services is seeking a Sr. Manager Process Improvement Engineering to lead and coordinate the Engineering/Production process, oversee project portfolio, and drive validation activities to support production.

You will lead Lean Sigma, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with cGMP and quality requirements, mentoring engineers, and delivering cost and capacity improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in team management, project management, IT, statistical tools, and quality.
• Experience with Lean Sigma or Six Sigma is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead process engineering efforts to improve manufacturing reliability and downtime.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership for complex manufacturing issues.
• Establish and manage engineering performance indicators.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, A3, PDCA, and Kata.
• Ensure projects have clear priorities, milestones, and accountability.
• Develop and strengthen capabilities of process engineers and technicians.
• Support manufacturing transformation and cost improvement initiatives.
• Ensure manufacturing processes remain compliant with cGMP, validation, change control and contamination control requirements.

Skills

English skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

Master's Degree Manufacturing, Engineering or Applied Sciences preferred

Job description

Description

No relocation assistance is provided for this opportunity. 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?

Location & Commute

This is an onsite position requiring the team member to be onsite for all scheduled workdays. No relocation assistance is provided for this opportunity.

Job Summary

The Sr. Manager Process Improvement Engineering leads, coordinates and directs the Engineering/ Production process as well as project portfolio. This role is responsible for meeting objectives related to developing projects, validation activities and supporting production team. This role is key in delivering the overall vision, constantly initiating improvements to ensure processes meet present and future requirements in terms of quality, HSE, growth, flexibility and cost improvement. Provides a high level of leadership for the engineering/ production process team and assures acquisition of best talent and performance. LI-TH1 LI-Onsite

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence & Reliability: Lead process engineering efforts to improve manufacturing reliability, reduce technical downtime, minimize material variance, improve process capability, and increase equipment utilization, with particular emphasis on critical manufacturing bottlenecks.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Drive collaboration and shared accountability across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to rapidly resolve production issues, eliminate recurring failures, and improve service reliability. Foster a solutions-oriented culture with a strong bias for action.
• Technical Troubleshooting & Escalation: Provide hands‑on technical leadership and timely escalation support for complex manufacturing issues, ensuring rapid problem resolution, effective countermeasures, and minimal disruption to production.
• Performance Management: Establish and manage measurable engineering performance indicators, including technical downtime, material variance, scrap, process stability, and equipment performance. Translate performance gaps into prioritized improvement actions with clear ownership and deadlines.
• Structured Problem Solving: Lead disciplined root cause analysis and continuous improvement activities using Lean, Six Sigma, A3, PDCA, and Kata methodologies to eliminate chronic manufacturing losses and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Execution & Accountability: Establish clear priorities, milestones, and accountability for engineering initiatives. Demonstrate urgency in execution, proactively remove barriers, and elevate risks or resource constraints that threaten operational or strategic objectives.
• Technical Capability Development: Develop and strengthen the technical capabilities of process engineers and process technicians through coaching, standardized troubleshooting methods, knowledge transfer, and structured development plans.
• Manufacturing Transformation: Lead and support strategic process improvements, equipment modernization, technology implementation, and manufacturing optimization initiatives that improve capacity, quality, cost competitiveness, and operational flexibility.
• Process Control & Compliance: Ensure manufacturing processes remain capable, controlled, and compliant with applicable cGMP, validation, change control, quality, and contamination control requirements while driving continuous improvement.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field required.
• Master's Degree Manufacturing, Engineering or Applied Sciences preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years Experience in team management, project management, IT, statistical tools, and quality.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• English skills.
• Knowledge of large-scale manufacturing (cost, lead time).
• Knowledge of the different processes implemented in the plant.
• Analytical skills.
• Leadership, managerial and interpersonal skills.
• Able to be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description.
• Support and contribute in Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.
• Able to comply with the company’s safety policy at all times.
• Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times.

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.

What We Offer

• Community Involvement: West encourages volunteerism through its West without Borders initiative and other charitable programs that make a difference in local communities.
• Continuous Learning & Development: Opportunities for professional growth through training programs, tuition assistance, leadership development, and skill-certification initiatives.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Flexible vacation, personal, and holiday leave ensures employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance and recharge effectively.
• Global Career Opportunities: With facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia‑Pacific, employees have opportunities for international exposure and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Inclusive & Collaborative Culture: A global workforce that values diversity, equity, and inclusion—where all voices are heard and respected in a supportive environment.
• Recognition & Rewards: Performance-based bonuses, service recognition, and employee appreciation initiatives celebrate dedication and impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.