Operations Technician

Operations Technician

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 be a technician supporting the molding process at the Kinston, NC facility. This includes installation, removal, and troubleshooting with mold press tooling. Must be able to understand and operate equipment including all press types, ancillary molding equipment, and ice blasters. Efficient and knowledgeable in equipment and tooling assembly/disassembly. Proficient in troubleshooting equipment and process related issues. Must be capable to follow preset schedules, work independently, and complete troubleshooting on equipment and tooling. Must be able to meet the 12-hour demands of the shift, which includes long periods of standing work, coupled with pushing, pulling, lifting, moving molds into or out of presses multiple times per shift. Acting with minimum supervision to ensure that the molding processes are operating at maximum output while maintaining highest quality. Able to participate as a cross functional team member working with production, quality and engineering teams. Be a key driver in improving plant KPIs related to yield, COPQ (Cost of Poor Quality) and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) by implementing solutions that are sustainable and drive value for the business. Efficient and knowledgeable in equipment and tooling assembly/disassembly. Able to use computer programs for documentation and record keeping of changes made to the process when troubleshooting issues. Previous experience within the process is preferred but will train the right candidate exhibiting strong equipment comprehension.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain qualifications to operate Mold Presses
• Maintain qualification to apply mold release to molds in operation
• Prepare molds and molding presses for production operation including but not limited to set-up, clean-up, conditioning runs, apply mold release, eccentricity checks, and visual checks
• Able to train to operate mold lift truck, forklift(s), and electric hand truck
• Perform line clearances
• Assist in the installation and removal of molds and other associated machinery and equipment; assuring that adequate materials and equipment are at the required location to perform this work in the safest, most effective and most efficient manner possible
• Troubleshoot, problem solve, mold, relieve operators, apply solution as required or requested and ensure processes are running within the predetermined control parameters. This will include adjusting within allowable limits and/or evaluating operator techniques and/or evaluating materials to assure acceptable products
• Monitoring the SPC data such as in-process flange thickness or other critical dimensions measured in-process
• Apply mold release or CO2 cleaning as required or requested
• Work with mold cleaning to determine and optimization of various task such as: length of time between mold cleaning, the best type of surface preparation for each mold and product, and to continue to work on faster mold changeovers
• Make recommendations to the Area Manager when pins, bushings, mold, or mold cavity needs to be replaced
• Complete preventative maintenance tasks as assigned
• Assist Engineering and maintenance when necessary
• Assist in lean and six sigma projects supporting operational excellence initiatives
• Performs other duties as assigned based on business needs.
• Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures, instruction, and all safety rules.
• Exhibits regular, reliable, punctual and predictable attendance
• Actively engages in the Lean Daily Management System process.
• Actively monitors Tier 0 data across all mold presses in area of accountability.
• Follows proper escalation practices for all quality threshold exceptions.
• Participates in daily Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 2 escalation meetings.

Education

• High School diploma or GED required
• Associate Degree related to a technical discipline or working towards their degree preferred

Work Experience

• Minimum one year of experience
• Two years' experience in molding operations or related mechanical experience required
• Must have experience with compression molding
• Must be able to independently problem solve technical and/or mechanical issues
• Ability to work in standard Microsoft office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Must possess a moderate level of mechanical ability
• Able to train to operate mold lift truck, forklift(s), and electric hand truck
• Must be able to work most of a 12-hour shift standing and moving around the facility

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, schedules, diagrams, and procedure manuals
• Ability to write reports and correspondence
• Able to be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization
• Maintain an awareness of "state of the art" technology as it applies to our industry. Take part in educational programs pertinent to process projects
• Performs other duties as assigned based on business needs as directed by Area Manager(s), Production Manager and/or Director, Ops
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products: Excel, Word, Outlook
• Exhibits regular, reliable, punctual and predictable attendance
• 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

Medium-Exerting up to 50lb/22kg of force occasionally and/or up to 20lbs/9kg of force frequently, and/or up to 10lbs/4kgs of force constantly to move objects.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to tolerate temperatures (250°F - 400°F) for short durations
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lb. unassisted
• Pull molded materials from the mold presses (involving pull forces of ~ 50 - 60 lbs. or less for short durations) with multiple iterations per cycle and 6 – 8 cycles per hr.
• Frequent above shoulder height work to pull molded product from the top mold
• Frequent stretching and arm extension work on mold presses
• Frequent bilateral grip/grasp and manual dexterity work required
• Pushing or pulling of wheeled objects weighing 500+ lbs. or less for short periods of time and/or over short distances
• Frequent bending and twisting as required by the job
• Must also be able to tolerate industrial odors and smells on a frequent basis.
• Willing to work overtime as needed
• Must maintain the ability to work well with others in a variety of situations.
• Must be able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize.
• Ability to make independent and sound judgments.
• Read and interpret data, information and documents
• Analyze and solve problems