Production Associate

The Opportunity:

Why Avantor?
Our more than 14,000 associates globally are passionate about setting science in motion to create a better world. By choosing a career with Avantor, a Fortune 500 company, you will make breakthroughs, make a difference-and make your mark. You will work closely with dedicated people who share your enthusiasm for innovation, excellence and achievement. Whether you want to help customers advance science or solve complex problems, Avantor is where you belong.

Consider a career with us at one of our offices, manufacturing and distribution facilities or innovation centers, or as part of our laboratory and clinical services teams working onsite at customer locations worldwide.

Location: Bakersfield, CA

Shift: 3rd shift 10:30p-6:30am

Job Summary:

Working independently and in coordination with the Lead Manufacturing Operator, the Manufacturing Operator is responsible for the accurate and compliant manufacturing of various silicone products, utilizing a variety of automated and semi-automated equipment and processes.Operates mixing machines, coating machines, and cutting and packaging machines under SOP and GMP guidelines. Will perform basic trouble-shooting and maintain equipment cleanliness. Interfaces and works with engineering and senior manufacturing personnel in identifying and implementing process improvements and process validations.

Under close supervision, may set up and operate a variety of machines in order to produce materials. May deliver raw materials and intermediates to production sites and/or keep departments clean and orderly. Assists in a variety of routine duties in the operation and preparation of equipment and materials.

Job Description:

• Adheres to strict safety regulations of the company.

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

• Learns and adheres to safety rules for the work area as it pertains to handling chemicals and equipment.

• Monitors and performs daily activities within the production area (processing/ packaging/ testing/ sampling) to ensure safety practices are being followed

• 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.

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

• May be responsible for devising and implementing safety improvements.

• May assist in supervision of lower-level employees and is required to provide procedural and process guidance to new and lower level operators.

• May be required to pass in-house forklift certification test.

Process / Technical Related:

• Performs routine tasks such as cleaning, weighing, and set-up of systems for operation, packaging, and in-process testing.

• Will be trained on applicable manufacturing procedures.

• Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of production equipment to maintain equipment.

• Corrects routine and non-routine problems by analyzing, troubleshooting and correcting equipment / process problems.

• Monitor and record critical process parameters

• Communicates with management on results of product testing, trends, and deviations. Recommends process adjustments.

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

• Understand mechanism of production machines and demonstrates ability to identify areas of the operations process.

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

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

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

• May optimize and evaluate formulation levels for product work up.

• May interface with the Research & Development group when necessary.

• 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.

• May assist various departments with proper collection and disposal of hazardous waste

• May assist with the inspection / operation and maintenance of various safety equipment and lab ware.

• 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.

• Ensures that all manufacturing and testing procedures are executed accurately and that documentation is done completely and accurately, including all calculations and notes.

• Performs quality control and specialized testing on products.

• 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

• Maintains an awareness of General Manufacturing practices and participates in all activities related to product safety, product in process, and finished product.

• Must be able to make well-grounded decisions and assessments. Must be able to work with minimal supervision once training is completed.

• Ability to give instruction and train others is required.

Process Improvement:

• Must be able to understand and implement (after training) basic concepts of reproducibility and quality control.

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

• Suggests manufacturing procedure changes as needed to correct issues or to clarify and/or improve processes.

• Understand fundamentals of manufacturing process and procedures and apply technical knowledge and skills into continuous improvement (problem solving or troubleshooting)

Inventory Control and Scheduling Related:

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

• Responsible for accounting of materials used and produced accurately and completely, including labeling.

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

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

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

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• For safety, the use of contact lenses for any reason, cosmetic or corrective, is prohibited on the production floor, in the lab areas, in the engineering shop, or while working on equipment.

• The company will provide prescription safety glasses with a current (under 12 months) vision corrective prescription provided by the employee.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.

• The employee frequently is required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• The employee is occasionally required to sit.

• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and move 55-gallon drums while using proper drum lifting equipment.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• The employee may be required to pass a pulmonary function test in order to wear a respirator.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Non-climate controlled, manufacturing atmosphere.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred; minimum two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment preferred. Knowledge of OSHA, NFPC, Hazwoper, and other governmental regulatory requirements (e.g., 21 CFR Part 820, cGMP, ISO, FDA, etc.) helpful.

• Experience working with waste generation, classification and dispose would be beneficial. Computer literate (MS WORD/EXCEL).

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

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.comand 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.