The Opportunity:

Under limited supervision, manufactures and/or packages specialty silicone products using a variety of equipment and processes. Ensures timeliness and accuracy in the production and shipping of products. Assigns and reviews the work of staff responsible for providing manufacturing production and shipping services. Conducts training and participates in the more skilled work performed by Operators.

The Lead Manufacturing Operator is a labor intensive, non-exempt, pre-supervisor position, responsible for assisting in the scheduling, coordinating, supervising, training, and reviewing the work of manufacturing teams assigned to perform routine duties in the operation and preparation of equipment and material, and reports directly to the area supervisor or the Group Manager. The position is accountable for efficient and effective use of assigned staff, supplies, equipment, and time to provide optimum service. The position is accountable for ensuring the safety of the workforce, the correct and safe use of equipment and the adherence to all quality objectives and requirements. Advancement to this position is based on need, and requires the ability to optimize the use of staff through efficient allocation of work, conduct in-service and work station training, evaluate quality and safety, and conduct or assist in performance appraisals as assigned. Note that Leads are working leads and are assigned to run processes, complete documentation, etc. as well as perform their lead responsibilities.

Reports to department supervisor or designate. Under limited supervision, manufactures and/or packages specialty silicone products using a variety of equipment and processes. Assists supervisor in getting quality products out in a timely and correct manner. Oversees specific processes and employees.

Should also be capable of performing basic supervisory duties in the absence of the area supervisor.

Assists in planning, prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of staff responsible for the operation of equipment and preparation of materials.  Ensures high levels of staff productivity by reviewing inspections, reports, and physically observing work performed.  Assists in developing performance standards and evaluation of staff.

Provides or coordinates training of new and existing operators in areas such as, but not limited to safe work techniques, time-saving methods, use and documentation of runsheets, and identification of safety concerns.  Works with employees to learn additional skills and correct deficiencies. 

Perseveres through various working conditions to complete tasks and projects.  Takes appropriate measures to meet department needs and timelines, and to address team shortcomings.  Provides work direction and appropriate feedback through multiple communication channels as deemed appropriate.

Develops personal strategies for juggling competing demands.  Examines the impact of current and/or upcoming changes on the work group processes and provides direction to others on adjusting accordingly.

Human Resources Related:

Is responsible for training and providing guidance and performance feedback to operators within the department.

Is responsible for contributing specific feedback to area supervisors and managers for operators’ performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and terminations within the department.

Performs administrative and documentation functions relative to supervision of subordinates.

Provides effective training for subordinates on equipment, processes and procedures.

Provides direction to subordinates for daily tasks and projects.

Provides coaching for subordinates to resolve problems.

Assists in employee communication, morale and discipline and provides leadership to lower-level process operators.

Must be able to make well-grounded decisions and assessments.

Must be able to lead and motivate staff to perform tasks accurately, completely and on-time.

Safety / Environmental Related:

Maintains a safe, clean and organized work area and ensures that others are doing the same.

May assist in activities related to hazardous waste management such as proper waste stream identification/classification and ensuring that these are streams are properly segregated and adhered to.

Oversees and personally inspects assigned production areas for compliance to housekeeping, safety and sanitation considerations.  Documents safety concerns.

Responsible for learning the safety hazards of processes, equipment and materials and applying that knowledge during routine operations.

Identifies and corrects potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Responsible for devising and implementing safety improvements.

Process Related:

Performs a wide variety of skilled duties in the preparation and operation of process equipment.

Is responsible for ensuring that manufacturing and packaging procedures are correct and being followed by department personnel.

Optimizes procedures and processes to suit non-routine or critical conditions and situations.

Ensures packaging of finished goods meets all NuSil packaging specifications in order to meet customer requirements.

Monitors process and maintains specified operating conditions.

Accurately uses computerized operating systems to run and monitor manufacturing equipment, if required.

Is responsible for accurately completing and final-reviewing  manufacturing and quality documentation, including all calculations and notes.

Responsible to account for materials used and produced accurately and completely, including labeling.

Must be forklift certified.

May be required to wear special garments in controlled manufacturing environments that include synthetic material coveralls, beard covers, bouffant caps, booties and/or powder free vinyl gloves.

Quality Related:

Responsible for maintaining quality within the scope of the job description.

Performs in-process QC testing and accurate documentation.  Also is able to quickly draw conclusions from the results being generated.

Verifies and ensures that materials/supplies are properly labeled and stored

Ensures that all manufacturing and packaging procedures are performed accurately and completely.

Process Improvement:

Responsible for reviewing process reproducibility trends of applicable products and applying that knowledge to improve processes and or products.

Responsible for problem definition, measurement, analysis, improvement and control of processes, products and equipment.

Devises and submits manufacturing procedure changes as needed to correct issues or to improve processes.

Inventory Control and Scheduling:

Must be able to understand the fundamentals of how our physical and perpetual inventories are related.

Must also understand other basic inventory principles such as allocating of materials as well as cycle counting.

Maintains control of area inventory by overseeing cycle counting, verifying accuracy of inventory and correcting issues. 

Responsible for devising and implementing plans to minimize inventory and improve process flow / output by using Lean Manufacturing concepts.

Interfaces with other personnel and / or departments to achieve production goals and product shipment requirements.

Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Level II:  Assists in supervision of lower-level employees (Lead Operator and Operators).

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Knowledge of process production activities in a chemical or mechanical manufacturing environment.  Prior experience at NuSil preferred.  A.A. in Chemistry, Math, or equivalent experience helpful.  Knowledge of OSHA, NFPC, HazWoper, and other governmental regulatory requirements (e.g., 21 CFR Part 820, cGMP, ISO, FDA, etc.) required. Working knowledge of functions within a typical business supply chain (e.g., shipping, receiving, order procurement / purchasing, scheduling and execution) required.  Excellent oral and written skills.  Computer literate (MS WORD/EXCEL).  Previous supervisory experience preferred.

Previous experience as Operator at NuSil. With 1 - 3 years employment as Lead Operator Manufacturing at NuSil.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals in English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.  Ability to implement appropriate metrics and monitoring.  Ability to perform calculations and record data accurately.  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.  Basic understanding of statistical process control (SPC) and the ability to implement appropriate metrics and monitoring. 

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Experience and / or knowledge of continuous quality improvement systems and implementations and Lean Manufacturing concepts.

Requires the ability to:

Carry out the functions of the position and accomplish operational goals.

Build productive work teams, schedule, assign and review the work of subordinates.

Plan, organize, and prioritize work processes in a high volume environment in order to meet schedules and timelines.

Analyze situations and accurately adopt an effective course of action.

Quickly sort through the impact of changes on one’s own job duties and work process.

Remain focused when faced with competing demands and deadline pressures.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Will be required to pass in-house forklift certificate test.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
 
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$53,000.00 - $88,000.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW Poster, EEO is the Law Poster Supplement, and Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.